Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-11-16
EX-GOVERNOR ODELL
 TOLD HIS STORY TO-DAY
Hyde's Attorney Attempted to Have the Ex-Governor huzzled On Certain natters-Odell Emphatically Denied the Story That the Mercantile Trust Com- pany's Charter Was in Danger.

can committee, was the hrSt witness before the insurance investigation com. mittee to-day. Before his testimony was begun Samuel Untermyer, counsel for James H. Hyde, entered an objec- ton protesting against the investiga- tion of the affairs of the United States Shipbuilding Go by the committee.
 Mir Hughes, counsel to the commit tee, began by asking MT Odell to tell the facts pertaining to the Mercantile Trust Go charter and the witness said he would prefer to tell of the whole transaction leading up to the settle ment if permitted Mir Untermyer protested that if the committee per mitted this it would take them far out side the legitimate line of inquiry. Sen ator Armstrong referred the protest to Mir Hughes. who said he would call to Mir Odell's attention "the fact that the matter which concerns the committee Is simply the question whether there was any political influence or pressure brought to bear upon the Mercantile Trust Go, directly or indirectly, to in duce settlement"
 There was not" said MT Odell
 Twill you state, Governor" asked Mir Hughes, whether you had any infor- nation with regard to the introduction of bill in the senate for the purpose of repeating the charter of the Mer- camille Trust Cor"
 T knew of it at the time, yes.'
 Who advised you of it?n
 Il knew of it before its introduc- tion.'
 From whom did you get the infor- mation?'
 "Oh. various people as to the propri- yety of the introduction of such a meas { ure"
 "Did you suggest it's introduction"
 "No."
 "Did you request it's introduction"
 'I saw no objection to it."
 Did you state that you saw no ob- jection to the introduction of the measure?'
 At the time it was introduced, yes"
 "To whom?'
 ."Oh. to anyone who asked me; have forgotten"
 "What was the ground for that ac. ton or approyal?'
 Simply because the scandal incl dent to the shipbuilding trust was up permost in the peoples mind. and 1t was claimed that the Mercantile Trust Co had been behind fifteen or sixteen corporations. every one of them had been insolvent, and 1t was time, thought. such matters in the state of New York should be stopped ,.-
 While Mir Odell was testifying Sen ator Depew entered the room.
 Continuing. Mir Odell said the bill was intended to provide for an investi gation of the Mercantile Trust Co. He 2 could not recall an interview with As semblyman Fish regarding the intro duction of bill similar to Senator Ambler's repeal bill in the assembly. His only interview with Senator Am bier about the bill was after it had been introduced. At that time he had no suit pending against the Mercantile Trust Co. His suit was brought in August, 1904. When the bill was in troduced,r in March, 1904 the witness said he still had every dollars worth of his shipbuilding holdings. These holdings were sold at auction and brought $43,0S7 against $164.171 paid for them. Since the sale witness has had no interest in the shipbuilding company. The sale was made because he felt that matters of legislation would come up affecting shipbullding affairs and he felt that the governor. should not be interested in the bonds. He contemplated bringing an action against the Mercantile Trust Go In Au- gust, 1904. He had no interview with !. P. Morgan regarding his shipbuild- ing claim, but did have with Charles NJ. Schwab when the company was in the hands of a receiver. Did you make any statement to anybody in the city of New York that retaliatory measures of any kind would be taken?" asked Mir Hughes.
 "Never"
 That any measures threatening the Mercantile Trust Co or anyone else would be taken If your claim was not settledT'
 Never"
 "Did you ever make any such state ment to Mir HarimanT
 .'No. sir"
 Did you ever have any interview with MT Hartman fin which it was suggested mat ne should use his in- | fiuenee to procure a settlement of your | claim against the Mercantile Trust Cor No. sir
 "Then I understand your testimony | is that you never directly or indirectly | used any threat to procure a settle | ment of that suitTr
 "No, sir"
 Was the legislation which was pro- posed by Senator Amber in any was a topic of conversation when the set | tlement of your suit came upTs
 Never excepting-yes. when I had talk with Mir Hyde. he spoke of if | and told him no matter what the out come Of our settlement might De. whether I should % into the courts, or the case should be settled by the Ner- cantile Trust Co. that there was no fear of retaliafory legislation.r
 Mir Odeii when again asked if the Mercantile Trusts charter was threat ened. dramatically exclaimed: There is no truth in that SO help me Godr'
 United States Senator Depew went on the witness stand soon after Gov nrnor Orief1 Jeff If