Los Angeles herald., 1905-12-16
HARTMAN GIVES
HIS OWN VERSION
TELLS OF HIS INTERVIEWS
WITH RYAN
Gives Interesting Testimony Regarding
His Relations With Odell and
Also Watching State
legislation
BY Associated Press.


NEW YORK, Dec. 15.-Before the
Legislative investigation committee an
other chapter was added today to the
chronicles Of what Thomas II. Rvea
called Strenuous" interviews between
himself and B. II. Hartman. Mr. Ryan
gave his version of the conversation to
the committee a few days ago when he
said that Mr.. Hartman at the time of
the acquisition of the James TT. Hvde
stock in the Equitable Life Insurance
company demanded an equal share and
threatened to use his political influence
against him If he did not surrender.
Mr.. Hartman today recited to the COM
flllttee his version and added some in
teresting statements affecting his rela-
tlons with former Governor b. b. Odell,
1r., chairman OF the New York state
republican committee, and also as to
a request to watch Legislation affecting
the Equitable society which he had
made upon Governor Francis w. Hig-
gins and the late S. Fred Nixon,
speaker of the New York assembly.
In substance, Mr.. Hartman testified
today that when Mr.. Ryan bought the
hyde stock, carrying control of the
Equitable society, he asked Mr.. Harri-
man to cooperate with him in saving
the property; that Mr.. Hartman agreed
to do it If satisfied that Mr.. Ryan was
acting from pure and unselfish motives;
that Mr. Ryan did not satisfy him as to
the purity of his motives, and that Mr.
Hartman Informed him that he would
use his influence against him. The test
which Mr.. Hartman said he applied
to determine Mr.. Ryan's purity of mo-
tive was an offer to take one-half of
the Hyde stock and to name two trus-
tees of the society. Mr.. Ryan refused
to agree to that. Mr.. Hartman testi-
fed that Mr.. Ryan should have as
sumed that he (Mr. Harriman) would
Use his political influence against him.
He was not certain whether he said
anything about legislative action as a
warning to Mr.. Ryan, but declared that
he had nothing to do with starting the
present insurance investigation. Charles
E. Hughes counsel for the committee,
Informed Mr. Hartman that 1t has
been charged that he got his political
influence through his relation with
former Governor B. b Odell, jr.
Mr.. Hartman said:
"Well, l should think Mr.. Odell has
his political influence because of his
relation with me.
Laughter followed the remark. Later
Mr.. Hartman said to the Associated
Press that the remark was meant in Il
jocular sense.
Last spring, Mr.. Hartman said, when
the management of the Equitable Life
Assurance society was divided into two
factions, with one headed by President
James w. Alexander and the other by
James II. Hyde, an attempt was made
by the Alexander faction 10 induce the
Legislature to mutualize the society.
Mr.. Hartman said he asked members
of the legislature to watch out for any
Legislation favorable to the Alexander
faction and to report to him If 1t APP
peared. He was aVerse to disclosing
the names of the men to whom he made
this request and only consented to do
so on repeated urging. He then stated
that it was Governor Higgins and
Speaker Nixon wnom he mad asked to
watch out for the Alexander legislation.
He added that no such legislation was
introduced and that he took no steps
through Governor Higgins and Speaker
Nixon to prevent 1t.
The committee adjourned until Mon
day.
Senator Armstrong stated tonight
that Just before finishing the investi-
CATION about December 30, the COM
mittee may go to Albany to examine
the state insurance department. hold
ing sittings at the capitol.