Omaha daily bee., 1905-12-13
MAesA1e WANTED TO NAME TRUSTEES
Threatened to Use Influence Against Ryan
Unless Demands We're Met
CONVERSATION BECOMES STRENUOUS
Union Pacific Man In 'ormsd that Partner
Was Not Wanted.
LEGISLATION REFERRED TO INDIRECTLY
No Action by Any state Omcer was
Threatened Directly. hut De-
mand for Division was
Insistent.

SEW YORK, Dec. l2--Tnomas f. Ryan
today appeared before the insurance in
vestlsatton committee and told what L. ii.
Hartman did and threatened to do when
hc demanded that Mr. Ryan concede him a
share In the control OF the Equitable Life
Assurance society last June. Mr. Ryan
assured the committee that he had meant
no disrespect by his former refusal to dis
close their conversations and said that he
had determined to answer the question to
which he had refused replies on Friday
last because District Attorney Jerome said
he ought to do so.
Mr.. Ryans version OF what Mr.. Harri-
man demanded and what he threatened to
90 upoI the refusal of his demands was
In substance as follows:
That Hartman demanded one-half of the
5o2 shares Of the stock Of the Equitable
Life Assurance society, which Ryan had
purchased from James H. Hyde and which
gave Mr.. Ryan control of the property.
That Hartman threatened unless ne was
conceded this share in the control of the
society. to exert his political ana all other
influences against Mr. Ryan and his
project.
would be legislative action, and that in
that event his influence would be import
ant.
That Hartman demanded the right to
name two of nve trustees TO vote the con-
trolling stock in the election OF directors
of the society.
In reply TO repeated questions BY Charles
f. Hughes. counsel of the committee. Mr..
Ryan stated that Mr.. Hartman did not
threaten that there should be legislative
action unless he was given a share in the
Equitable control. bot said there probably
would be such action. Neither did Mr..
Hartman threaten any action by an officer
OF the government
II was n strenuous Interview. Mr.. Ryan
said, and was held In the presence OF Elihu
Root. then Mr.. RSans counsel. now secre-
tary Of state. and Paul ID. Cravath. also
Nj. Ryan's counsel.
Mr.. Ryan told the committee that he
drew the inference from 1t that Mr. Harri-
man did not want anybody TO control the
Equitable society unless he had share
III IL. Mr.. Ryan also stated that he paid
no attention 10 MIR. Hsrrimans statement
hat his influence would be important in
the o%ent OF feg egisittIve action and informed
him that they wanted no partners in the
enterprise. Mr.. Hartman did not get the
coveted share OF the stock.
Mr.. Ryan declared that this interview
took place within a few days after he got
control Of the hyde stock.
United States Senator John +. Dryden
OF New Jersey, president of the Prudential
Life Insurance company of America, was
on the witness stand ali the remainder of
the day. He testified that his company
pald $4,000 to the republican national cam
paign fund in 1896, 1900 and 1904. 1t also
paid $500 TO Andrew Hamilton. formerly
tho New York Life Insurance companys
legislative agent at Albany.
Testimony of Dryden.
Senator Dryden said he has been presi-
dent of the Prudential for twenty-four
years. He first became connected with in
surance in 1856 The Prudentisls capital
stock is now s2OoO.ooo. Witness said 1t was
organized as a stock company pure and
simple ana its surplus was regarded as
belonging to the company
The company the senator said. paid s. 500
to James IL. Flood for fees in opposing the
Colorado law against child insurance a
few years ago Hamilton was consulted
about legislation threatened in Illinois. but
witness did not remember what the consul
tstion was. Senator l.. yden said his COM
pany had much trouble over legislation.
His company contributed nothing to the
Equitable Life Assurance society. New York
Life or Mutual for legislative expenses
How is II possible that you do business
with so small an outlay?" asked MI.
Hughes,
Mr.. Hughes. we have worked hard and
tried to be honest.
Since 1896 the Prudential has paid to the
Metropolitan Life Insurance company. as a
share OF legislative expenses, the sum of
s2454O. Haley Fisk vice president OF the
Metropolitan. had charge of the expendi-
lures, and, witness said. always made sat-
isfactory explanations OF them"
The senator SAID all his company's legal
fair ahn rd
and the company never spent a dishonest
dollar on legislation. His practice of ap-
pearing before committees was before he
became public officer.
II have heard a great deal about corrup-
ton" said Senator Dryden, but ! never
found II or never 70 the extent of 81 did my
company contribute to any corruption
funds
Witness said the John Hancock also contri-
buted with the Prudential and Metropolitan
TO oppose hostile legislation. The expenses
were divided so that the Metropolitan and
Prudential companies each bore two-ffths
OF it and the John Hancock one-fifth.
state omeer on Payroll.
Senator Dryden said that in 1904 Thomas
~ Mccarter. then attorney general OF the
state OF New Jersey. was paid $3.50 by thI
Prudential for legal services. Senator Dry
den explained that under the laws Of New
Jersey public official OF that state Is al
liberty to engage in private business while
holding office.
The witness described the legal expenses
of 1904 amounting To S4s.s27. and in 1906
when they were s5e.Oi6. II cost his company
s25.0c Tor the suit growing out OF the in,
auranoe Of Mr.. Blair Of ST. Louis. who
committed suicide.
The attempt of the Wisconsin insuranc,
commissioner to shut the Prudential out OF
that state In 1876 cost the company s2s.0s
and the company won. one-iifth OF ths
Blair claim was paid. The litigation grow
ing out OF the attempts OF the Prudential
Insurance company and the Fidelity Trus
compans to get control OF each other cos
the Prudential company heavily.