New-York tribune., 1905-06-05
A HARMONY PREDICTION.
COMES FROM HYDE SIDE.
He Is to Ask Legal Ruling on Syn
dictate Profits.

fedCe III tfe EqulIaDie I4lIe 4SSuTdilCe SOCicIy
will result from the naming Of a chairman of
the board of directors in the opinion Of directors
who discussed the situation yesterday. Who
that would be director had the slightest
idea, but many insisted that he would have to
be a practical insurance man to handle the diff
fcult technical task of restoring the business OF
the Equitable to its former volume.
Samuel Untermyer declared last night that
peace was absolutely assured and that important
developments would in the next few days.
He said also that James Hazen Hyde would be-
gin proceedings to determine the legal status of
the syndicate transactions.
The possibility OF the selection as chairman OF
some officer Of the Equitable was worthy of con-
sideraton. said director The difficulty
would be to get one who had not been
nected with one of the factions. No with
q leaning toward Mr.. Hyde or Mr.. Alexander
could be considered for a moment. said he. since
the chief hope of peace In the society lay in the
fact that the chairman, taking in great measure
the power from both president and vice-presi-
dent, would act constantly as guard against
the outbreak of factional differences.
Whether or not the committee selected to
name a chairman consented to serve, which
seems unlikely, in view Of the definite an
nouncements OF two of its members that they
would decline. would make little difference IN
yesterday The committees function was only
to suggest names.
Between the time the men were named and
Wednesday would have been very short time
for them to consider Names" said one director.
Certainly they could not have made decision
and submitted the proposal to any man. What
the board expected from them was list of
available names Instead. the board, at the
meeting on Wednesday Will resolve itself into a
committee of the whole and individual mem
bers will make suggestions. 1t will be a long.
hard task and no chairman is likely to be
named at this meeting, perhaps for several
meetings
when he Is named it will be difficult job
to get him to serve. desirable for the
place would be a man OF 80 great powers that
already he would have an important work in
the world congeniaI with money reward enough
attached to make it difficult to tempt him to
leave it. especially for tangled affair like this
Equitable situation, where his entire reputation
would be at stake"
Directors yesterday with difficulty could be
induced to mention names in talking of the
Craftsmanship. Among themselves it was
learned several names receive much consider
alton. among them being those of Secretary
Shaw, Postmaster General George B. Cortelyou,
Robert T. Lincoln Cat present a director) Joseph
n CHOdlS anu D. EuNd dIu W. OOJCS-
tions would apply to these men, said director.
Each had an established place in the world with
which he was satisfied; none had had practical
insurance experience.
What was most necessary for the society, said
directors was to have a man who should be able
to make the reorganiza cion decided with alb
solute knowledge of the situation and absolute
sureness of touch His reputation would
be ct stake the reputation OF the society and
a continuation of its prosperity 1t was re-
called that in the Reorganization of the New
York Life, after a long search for man comre
tent to succeed the deposed president. it was
found necessary to take John A. Mccall, then
the controller of the Equitable.
Other designations from the board of directors
seem unlikely. although some of those in touch
with Equitable affairs have said that A. ]. Cas-
satt. NJ. E. Ingalls,, Brayton Ives and perhaps
one or two others were considering such action
The resigna tions of Mr.. Frick. Mr. Hartman
and Mr.. Bliss not much because of the
rejection Of the Frick report, it was said yester-
day. as because of the bitter personalities and
the acrid discussion in the meeting. They would
not reconsider their action, it was predicted.
although some members of the directorate would
be glad to have Mr.. Bliss back.
The probable action of Superintendent Hen |
bricks was much discussed yesterday. He is /
investigation. His report would be ready in !
bout ten days directors thought. That he /
could make report less thorough than the |
Friok report seemed doubtful to some. Others !
declared that the FrcA report had been some I
what biassed and that the Hendricks report
would take a saner view of recognized business 4
md insurance methods.
That Superintendent Hendricks would make I
report rendering necessary any action by the
Attorney General was denied by Mr.. Hyde's
friends and Mr. Aiexanders adherents agreed
With them. Any legislative investigation or {
.ny Interference by Governor Higgins. they said. .
vas unlikely.
Conferences OF lawyers on both sides were held
President Alexander was out OF
own but his staff of counsel. including William
3. Hcrnblower. ex-Judge Cohen. Charles e. /
Hughes and cambridge Colby. held consulta- 3
ion. Mr.. Hyde. Samuel Untermyer, c. B, Alex (
.nder and w. C. Gullver were in consultation .
most of the day. Last night Mr.. Unterrnyer
made the following statement:
AT no time since the trouble began has the pros
,ect for a peaceful and permanent solution. salts
actory 10 all interests. been promising at I
lContinuod N third poxc3