New-York tribune., 1905-07-14
AGAINST PROBE SECRECY
EQUITABLE ACTION ASKED
Legislators FAVOR Submission of
Scandal at Extra Session.
tBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I

my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
Albany. July l8.-Not since the closing hours OF
the last session. when the fate of the gas bills was
In doubt. has there been such tense and critical
situation as exists here tonight On the one side
are arrayed vast majority Of the members Of the
legislature demanding that the insurance scandal
be thoroughly aired by legislative commission.
On this side also arrayed the State chairman
and many influential Republican leaders, the
other stands Governor Higgins, reafrming his con-
fidence in Superintendent Hendricks and his belef
there exists warrant for calling the matter
to the attention the session. Already there
are IN existence several sets OF resolutions framed
by members Of the legislature appealing to Gov
ernor Higgins to submit the matter to the legis-
lature and by next week at least one of them will
be presented.
The expression Of opinion by legislators has been
increasing in vehemence and becoming more and
more widespread several members having already
personally appealed to Governor Higgins and pre-
sented the legislative situation as 1t exists only
the responsible leaders whose loyalty to the Gov
ernor keeps them silent Speaker Nixon ana Sena-
tor Ranes, have declined to talk.
Practically all the opposition to legislative action
now centres in two quarters-the friends OF the
Governor and the Superintendent of insurance VINO
are unwilling to do anything to embarrass the ad-
Ininistration and those Senators, among them Sen
ator McCarren who represents the insurance lobby
who were prominent in defeating the gas measure
last year.
POLITICAL ASPECT OF CASE
But the tangled web is even more complicated by
the political aspect.
Ex-Governor odelrs declaration in favor OF lesis-
laton has apparently placed the head Of the State
organization in position Of seeming opposition TO
the policy OF the Governor. The charge has been
frequently repeated here to-day that the puhllca-
tion of the testimony in the evidence taken before
superintendent Hendricks was helped by Mr. Odeil'
but the Ex-Governor doesn't condescend TO notice
this gossip.
Few question Mr. Hendricks's integrity, but few
deny that the disclosures of the last few days have
tended TO shake public confidence in his investga-
tion however searching it may be. The opinion is
freely expressed that the public will believe some
thing has been withheld.
Mr. Wainwright, OF Westchester. one of the most
conservative of the legislative membership, said:
In my judgment. the Governor is making great
overwhelming sentiment of large number OF the
legislative action viii satisfy the public. The time
has come when the matter ought 10 be taken 6d out
in the hands of the representatives of the people
pretty soon, before adjourn call this matter to
the attention Of the legislature, We will have the
novel situation presented of the legislature asking
the Governor TO permit it to act in this matter
ali confidence in The tH1s1ess Of life Insurance. and
until that confidence is restored business and in
I believe a committee should be appointed to act
ependently free Of all restrictions and Win with
act publicly. believe that all secrecy heretofore
employed has been i'll advised
LEGISLATIVE ATTITUDE CONSISTENT.
Equally striking is the further opinion expressed
by Senator Malby to-day. He said:
The attitude of the legislature in the matter has
been consistent. We hoped last winter that the
investigation of the department would restore pub
lie confidence. The fact IS, however, that it has
not instead. 1t has simply whetted public curiosity
Now the matter is not merely that concerns
the insurance companies. 1t affects the honor of
the State. These insurance companies are organized
under our laws; the people of the United States
have right to look to the State accordingly for
protection They should have to wait for facts
that are published surreptitiOusly; they should
have public investigation, with all the facts pub
lie. 1t would be a mistake, in my opinion If the
legislature adjourned without taking some action.
Assembyman Stanley said:
The confidence which I have expressed in the In
surance Department has been considerably shaken
since the appearance in the press recently of de-
talls Affecting Senator Depew and other Equitable
the lack OF the appearance Of which. in Mr.. Hen
drickss preliminary report, satisfactory expana-
uon can be given.
more conservative view was expressed by Sen
ator Morton E. Lewis, of Rochester, who said:
It is difficult enough to keep quorum here for
the Hooker case, and any legislation might be
passed in insurance would be crude, owing TO short
ness of time and difficulty in keeping the members
here believe in letting the Superintendent go on
ana hnish up his work. and then report to the
Governor.