New-York tribune., 1905-07-12
"HENDRICKS NOT DONE"
Governor Sees No Reason for Leg
isLatiUe Investigation.
Icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
Albany. July lin reply TO queries regarding the
publication of extracts from the testimony given
by various persons connected with the Equitable
tsngle when examined by Superintendent Hendricks
Governor Higgins to-day discussed the situation at
some length. He indicated. first. that he stil be-
ieved that there nothing submit
ting the insurance question TO the extra session:
second that he did not believe that any of the
testimony OF witnesses. notably. of z. II. Harri-
man. had been excised from the report, and finally
that he understood that Mr.. Hartman had not
been called Witness solely because his resigna-
ton placed him beyond the power of the Superin-
tendent OF Insurance summon.
Governor Higgins renewed his declaration of his
complete 1aith in ex-senator Hendricks and his
consequent assurance that nothing would be left
unDrobed when the work done, but he dwelt
on the immensely of the work involved. beside
which he declared, the gas investigation only
boys play"
At the outset Of mis- talk. Governor Higgins de-
cIared that he had not heard OF Mr.. Jerome's com
plant that newspaper could get copy Of the
testimony when. even with the Governors assist
ance he unable TO get one. The Governor
said:
7 viii say that while I have not seen Mr.
Jeromes comment. have done all IN my power
/ had his letter asking for one, wired 70 super
intendent Hendricks 10 send it Attorney General
Mayer asked for one little later. and wired
again. subsequently the Superintendent told me
but he was hurrying it as much as possible and
would send copy TO tho District Attorney
! had not heard whether he received one. nor
ms SATURDAY as IS reported I have not had a
copy, although have heard parts Of IL read, and
ed this morning presume Il Is Correct News
papers are exceedingly rapid these days.
Does anything in the newly published testimony
change your notion Of the need of the legislative
action in the field of nsuranceT' the Governor
asked.
We'll what is there. II anything IN this repor-
that was not contained in that Of Superintendent
,f7-fsl oura aT1adt
the real estate transactions which Senator Depew
is alleged TO have heen involved and to the alleged
excision Of the testimony of z. II. Hartman. On
the first point the Governor said:
Wei. recall now that Superintendent Hendricks
did tell that there were certain real estate
transactions. which were not fully investigated at
by the ublIc thaf The irsr reDor was T nco1DIe
ana Tba+ Ar TTaDd-iclTs is sfil a. work am
confident that when he gets through nothing viii
win not be done in the particular way at
the particular time that some particular com
but no act Of mine viii be lacking for a complete
probing
The Governor then discussed the Hartman phase
Of the revelations and the charge that all testi-
mony concerning AIr Harriman's relation the
Equitable tangle had been suppressed. He said:
Il don't think there is anything in that charge
7 remember that Mr.. Hendricks called my atten-
ton 10 Mr.. Harrmans resignation and said:
guess ] have lost important witness. %
DO you mean that the Superintendent has no
power TO compel a director of an insurance com
pany 10 testify, # he has resigned%' was asked.
4 understand it, he replied.
Well Il he cant compel Mr.. Hartman tes-
tify because he has resigned. and a large
number Of directors have resigned. is this a
potent reason why the legislature should be asked
TO investigate. with fun power call all wit
neesses il chooses" was asked.
IF any powers are lacking to Mr.. Hendricks
they will be supplied" the answer. Moth
ing has happened any time OF any
nature shake my fun confidence in Superntend-
ent Hendricks and mis- department believe that
he is fully competent TO deal with the situation.
Il is natural because the legislature happens
the moment to be in session, that the public
should want this matter to be sent to it, but
can only proceed on strong evidence. The invest-
CATION Of a great insurance company is a tremen-
dous task Beside it the gas investigation
mere boys play.
The public generally satisfied that the
Stevens committee did good work and made
effective revelation OF conditions after ten days
Investigation was it not?' the Governor was asked.
II think the public viii have complaint when
the Insurance Department has completed its work"
We'll, then. Governor, your position with refer
ence 70 the question of legislative Investigations
remains unchanged. does it not?' You are still of
the same view Notwithstanding the recent develop
mentE2'
81 am
Governor Higgins. Attorney General Mayer, Bank
Superintendent KiIburn, Insurance Superintendent
Hendricks and ex-senator Cuthbert W. Pound had
dinner together at local hotel Tonight and later
the Governor and Superintendent Hendricks went
away together. On the subject Of the publication
of the testimony taken by him. Superintendent
Hendricks would not talk, pursuing the policy OF
absolute silence that has characterized every step
OF his course IN the Equitable affair. Attorney
General Mayer broke the rule Of silence merely 20
answer 10 the rumor that the report that had been
published had leaked through his Office. On this
score he merely said that he could speak for mem
bers OF his oice including himself and that It had
ryh He e.
mort that he had discussed the Equitable affair with
Mr Jerome yesterday. but would not go into detail
declining to be quoted in anything relating 10 the
sstuatsDn be left the city for Whitehall tonight
and will not return until Thursday night
The publication Of the report had a marked effect
on the members OF the legislature. ard strength
ened the growing demand from this quarter that
fne Insurance tangle should be considered at the
extra session. Notwithstanding this sentiment
there seems TO be prospect OF such a step, nor
s there any Immediate possibility Of publication OF
tbe siipnleinentaI report of Superintendent Hen
bricks