The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-17
OdtII AIudes to Hydes Words
 as "Bast Ca|umny'
NEVER MADE TIE THREATS
Depew Spoke to the President About Ambassadorshlp, But Was Told By the Executive That 1t Was
 Utterly Impossible.

New York, November 16.-Former Gov. Senator Chauneey M. Depew as witnesses before the Armstrong legislative insur- ance Investigating committee. today de- ned parts of the testimony of James Hagen Hyde In which their names were used.
 MT. odell in the course of his testimony called Mir Hydes statement base cal- umny," and when he was asked whether he directly or indirectly had made threats to have the charter of the Mercantile Trust company revoked, his face flushed and striking the arm of the witness chair with his fist, he exclaimed:
 'There Is no truth In that statement. SO help me Cod
 Advised That Claim Was Good.
 Mir. odell was the first witness of ths day He said no political pressure was brought to bear in the settlement of his suit against the Mercantile Trust com pany, and that it was settled the same as suits brought by others He said he had been advised by counsel that his claim was just one. and that any court would have awarded him more than he received in the settlement. Has knew Of the introduction of the Ambler bill. which 1t Is said might have affected the Mercantile Trust companys charter; and while he did not suggest its introduction, he saw no objection to it.
 Mir. odell denied that he ever made a statement to E.. H. Hartman or any one else that retalitary measures would be taken against the Mercantile Trust coni- pany. The witness said he and MT. Har- riman were personal friends. but that i they had no business relations. He wrote I a letter on behalf of Mr. Hyde's candl- dacy for the post of ambassador to France. This was at the request of William II. Mcintyre, one of the vice. presidents of the EauItaDle Life Assur- ] ance society.
 1 MT. Odell said he had never solicited political contributions, but possibly some moneys might have come to him through the national committee or from Senator Platt as the latter had always gathered ] together the funds in New York state, except in the last year.
 Justice Ransome Testifes.
 Justice Ransome of the state supreme court. representing George H. Squier, was called and explained MT. squier's condition He said MT. Squier was very i'll, and 1t was arranged that his deposi- tion should be taken. Judge Ransome told what he knew of the transaction 1 with which Mr Squier's name has been connected. Senator Depew was examined with regard to his syndicate participa- tion. and his duties counsel to the Equitable soceity. Regarding the am- basadorshp to Paris Senator Depew said MT. Hyde came to him and solicited his influence to secure the appointment. i Senator Depew brought the matter to the attention of the President, although hs l told Mir Hyde he was too young, and tho ! President said 1t was utterly impossible | to make such appointment.
 The senator advocated in the interest | of the public the limiting of the risks un- der insurance policies, and favored pub l lie audit of the accounts at stated periods l by a chartered accountant. This he l thought would obviate many suits that 1 are frequently brought for an account- 1 ing on the part of policyholder.
 Millions Were Loaned.
 John Gilchrist in charge of the security l department of the Equitable Life Assur- ance Society told of millions of dollars in loans made at the end of the year in the names or clerks of Kuhn. Loeb & Co. to comply with the law that the surplus | should be invested or 10 keep down the 1 cash balances No collateral was held by l l the check which was given for these loans was deposited in the banks and | certificate of deposit received. The check, l however was never cleared and on the first of the year the check would De ] taken out and the certificate surrendered. These loans were made at the instance | of T. D. Jordan, former comptroller or | the Equitable.
 The ownership of the Cafe Savarin by 1 the Equitable, was then taken up with | Daniel M. Junk. secretary treasurer or the cafe company or the stand. He said none of the management of the cafe re- | ceived any compensation from the pro- ceeds of the cafe. They were employees of the Equitable Life and were paid oy 1 the society.
 Louis NJ Bailey. clerk in me board | and Mortgage department of the Equit- | able, in whose name a trustee account l was carried on the books of the society. | said he was asked by MT. Squier to per- | init the use of his name for this account. but he did not know its purpose. Build l ing operations carried on under his name for the Equitable he could explain only | Ind