The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-12-16
HARRIMANS) VERSION OF
THE RYAN CONTROVERSY
Railway Magnate Says He Is in Politics and Has
Influence
Ods Governor Higgins and the Late Speaker Nixon Were All
Used by Him 10 Watch Adverse Legs-
IatiOn in Albany.

Anew YORK. Dec. 15.-BefOre the
IN legislative insurance investigating
committee another chapter was
added today 10 the chronicles of what
Thomas \. Ryan called strenuous
interviews between himself and r. ii.
Hartman. Mr.. Ryan gave his version
IF the conversations to the committee
4 few days ago when he said that Mr.
Hartman, At the time OF the acquisi-
ton OF the James III. Hyde stock in the
Equitable Life Assurance society. de
manded an equal share and threatened
10 use his political influence against
him If he did not surrender it, Today
Mr.. Hartman recited 90 the commit
lee his version and added some inter-
esting statements affecting his rela
lions with Former Governor Is. =.
/. OdelL jr, chairman OF the New York
! state Republican committee and also
! d5 TO a request To watch legislation
affecting the Equitable society which
4 ne had made upon Governor Francis
W. Higgins and the late 5. Fred Nixon,
speaker of the New York state assem-
oily.
Hartman Not Satisfied
In substance MI Hartman testified
ECday that when Mr. Ryan bought The
Hyde stock carrying control OF the
Equitable society. ne asked Nj. Har-
riman TO cooperate with him in saw
ing the property; that Mr. Hartman
agreed 10 do il if satisfied that Nj.
Ryan was acting from pure and I'M
selfish motives; that Mr.. Ryan did not
satisfy him as 10 the purity of his
motives. and that Mr.. Hartman nOti-
fled him that he would use his inhu-
ence against him. The test which MI
Hartman said he applied 10 deter
mine MIR. Ryan'S purity of motive was
an Offer TO take one-haH of the Hyde
stock and 10 name two trustees OF the
society. Mr.. Ryan refused to agree TO
that. Mr.. Hartman testified that AIr.
Ryan should have assumed that he
CHR. Hartmann would use his politi-
cal influence against him. He was not
certain whether ne said anything
about legislative action as a warning
10 Mr.. Ryan. but declared that he had
nothing 10 do with starting the pres
ent insurance investigation.
AS to Influence.
Charles L. Hughes. counsel for the
committee, informed Mr. Harrim1u
that it has been charged that he col
mis- political influence through his rela-
tion with Former Governor B. b.
odell, jr,
Mr.. Hartman said
We'll, / should think Mr. Odell had
political influence because of his reIa-
ton With me-" Laughter followed the
remark. Later Mr.. Hartman said 20
The Associated Press that the remark
was meant in a jocular sense.
MI. Hartman declared 60 The COM
odell about the ACCESSIBILITY Of Iegisla-
Jive action, and that he has not yet
taken any action to thWart Mr.
Ryan's plans.
Last spring. Mr.. Hartman said
when the management of the Equit-
able Life Assurance society was di-
Nided into TWO factions the one ne
flded by President James " AeXan-
nrr and the other by James II. Hyde
au attempt was made by the AleXau-
L "-t faction 30 induce the legislature 10
lmutuaiize the society. Mr.. Hartman
tCald he asked members of the Iegisla-
Jure 10 watch out FOR any legislation
favorable 20 the Alexander faction
and to report 10 him it 1t appeared.
Averse to Giving Names,
He was averse 10 disclosing the
names OF The men TO whom he made
this request and only consented to do
80 after repeated urging on the part of
Senator William NJ. Armstrong. chair
man OF the committee, and by Mn
Hughes, ana after he had been al
lowed to consult with his counsel. He
then stated that il was Governor Hig-
gins and Speaker Nixon whom he had
asked to watch out for the Alexander
legislation. He added that no such
legislation was introduced and that hc
took no steps through Governor Hig-
gins and Speaker Nixon 10 prevent il.
The committee adjourned until Mon
day.
Senator Armstrong STATED tonight
that just before finishing the iuvestiga-
ton, about Dec. so the committee may
so 10 Albany to examine the state fn-
surance department holding sittings AT
The capital.