The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-09
He May Be Prosecuted for Contempt by District At-
 tOrney Jerome DID t H. HARTMAN
 ATTEMPT INTIMIDATION? Ryan Says Hartman Wished to Share purchase of Equitable Stock-Pres- idents of Other Companies
 Give Testimony.

New York, December S.-The legisla- tice committee which is investigating the financial conditions of insurance today determined to send to District Attorney William T. Jerome request that he institute proceedings against Thomas F. Ryan, financier and owner of the majority stock of the Equitable Life Assurance society, to punish Mir Ryan for refusing to answer questions asked about what E. H. Hartman, president of the Union Pa cific and Southern Pacific Railroad com panies, had said to him when MT. Har- riman tried to induce him to share his control of the Equitable society with MT. Hartman.
 MT. Ryan was asked whether MT. liar riman had threatened that results dis astrous to MT. Ryans interests would ensue, or if MT. Hartman had told him that some action would be taken by the state legislature or any officer of the government unless MT. Ryan consented to share his stock with him. Acting on the advice of his attorney, Paul D. Cravath, MT. Ryan declined to answer those ques- tions, although Senator William Arm strong, chairman of the committee, di- rected him to do so. MT. Ryan, however, did answer one question by saying that MT. Hartman did not tell him at the time there would be a legislative investl- gation of the life insurance business un- less he gave up part of the Hyde stock
 MT Ryan had already testified that he secured control of the Equitable society by paying James H. Hyde $2,6OO,oOo for 5O2 shares of the total 10000 shares Of the society.
 Harriman's Proposition.
 After you had bought that stock, was there any proposition to share it. with you?" asked Charles F. Hughes, counsel for the committee.
 Am I obliged to answer that ques- tion?" asked MT. Ryan,
 'I think you ought to, MT. Ryan said MT. Hughes.
 MT. E. H. Hartman desired to share the purchase with me and l refused to permit that" replied MT. Ryan.
 MT. Ryan said he thought MT. Harrl- man made his request on the day that MT. Ryan bought the stock and before the purchase was publicly announced
 What did MT. Hartman say to you to influence you to make the sale?
 '.I do not think, MT. Hughes, ought to be called upon to answer a question ike that-to characterize or state conversa- ton had privately with MT. Harriman' said MT. Ryan.
 Paul D. Cravath interruped by saying to the chairman:
 q feel bound to say that my client, MT. Ryan, while he should testify most fully to what he did and what he planned to do. he cannot, unless he chooses to do so voluntarily. be required to attempt to state conversations which MT. Hartman or any other man had with hin1.'
 To this MT. Hughes replied:
 Counsel Hughes Statement.
 CT deem the matter important in two sspects. In the first place, that the com mittee may understand the motive which nav actuate those who desire to obtain control of the stock of the insurance oomnanv. and the proceedings which may be taken to acquire 1t. and seconoiy, that we may know whether there is any truth in the report that there was any business suggestions that llte insur- ance companies would be investigated If Mir Ryan did not accede to Mir Harri- nan's request I think that we snouid have full light upon the transacuon' ana I hope that MT. Ryan will feel that ne can do another public service by advising the committee fully
 MT Cravath said that Mir. Ryan would testifv freely as to the facts but that he r,as not reo,ired to state what MT. liar riman said to him in private conversa- ton.
 MT. Ryan, said Senator Armstrong W "the committee directs you to answer the question"
 The following colloquy ensued' Mr. Ryan: "I will answer 1t so Tar as to state That refused to share the pur- chase with MT. Hartman
 Advised Not to Answer.
 What did Mir Hartman say to you in connection with the matter! MT Cravath: My advice is that you are not required to answer that ques- tion."
 The chairman: Do you refuseY
 MT Ryan. "I refuse to answer on the advice of counsel"
 Did Mir Hartman say that there would be any result injurious to your interest in case you refused to admit nm to share in the ownership"
 MT Cravath: "I give you the same advice, MT. Ryan, that you are not re- duired to answer that question. MT Ryan: Same answer" At the order of Senator Armstrong the last two questions were repeated to Mr. Ryan. who again refused to answer. say ing he did so lon advice of counsel Nr Hughes asked the following ques- tion:
 would be an investigation by com mittee of the legislature, and that steps would be taken to have an investigation bv a committee of the legislature of New York of insurance companies, if you did not permit him to share in the owner ship?'
 Mir Crayath: "The same advice MT. Ryan: He did not say that Now, did he say that any action on the part of the legislature or any official or officer of the government, would be taken in the event you refused to accede to his request?"
 MT. Cravat.h: 'I advise you not to an- swer that question" MT. Ryan: II refuse to answer on the same grounds
 Armstrong Persists. .'sow, Mir. Ryan, I think you will be entirely discreet to say what you said to