The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-12-09
Because He SeaIeth Up
His Lips "CIammiIy."
AN APPEAL TO JEROME
L legislative Committee Will Ask Dis
trict Attorney to Proceed Against
Ryan, Who Refuses to Reveal
What Hartman Said to Him
on a Certain Occasion.
on a Certain Occasion.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated PreSs.)
New York. Dec. S.-The legislative
committee which is investigating life
insurance conditions today deter
mined to send to District Attorney
Jerome a request that he institute
proceedings against f~homas F. Ryan,
financier of the majority of the stock
of the Equitable Life Assurance So
ciety, to punish Mr. Ryan for re-
fusing to answer questions before the
committee. Mr.. Ryan had refused
to answer when asked wat f. H
Hartman, president of the Union
Pacific and Southern Pacific Rail-
road companies had said to him when
Mr. Hartman tried to induce him to
share his control of the Equitable
Society with Mr.. Hartman.
Mr.. Ryan was asked whether Mr.
Hartman had threatened that results
disastrous to Mr.. Ryan's interests
would ensue or if Mr.. Hartman had
told him that some action would be
taken by the State Legislature or any
officer of the government unless Mr..
Ryan consented TO share his stock
with him. Acting on the advice of
his attorney. Paul d. Cravath, Mr..
Ryan declined to answer those ques-
tions, although Senator William w.
Armstrong, chairman OF the commit
tee, directed him to do so. Mr..
Ryan, however did answer one ques-
ton by saying that Mr.. Hartman did
not tell him at that time there would
be a legislative investigation of life
insurance business unless he gave up
part of the side stock.
Mr.. Ryan had already testified that
he secured control of the Equitable
Society by paying James II. Hyde
$2,500,000 for 500 shares of the total
700 shares of the society.
after you had bought that stock
was there any proposition to share it
with you?" asked Charles E. Hughes,
counsel for the committee
"Am l obliged to answer that ques-
ton ?" asked Mr. Ryan.
81 think you ought to, Mr.. Ryan
said MIR. Hughes.
"Mr. E. H. Hartman desired 20
share the purchase with me and | re-
fused to permit that" replied Mr..
Ryan.
Mr.. Ryan said that he thought Mr..
Hartman made his request on the
day that Mr.. Ryan bought the stock,
and before the purchase was pub
licly announced.
The "F'un" Begins.
"What did Mr.. Hartman say to
you to influence you to make the
Sale?"
81 do not think Mr.. Hughes. I
ought to be called upon to answer
question like that-to characterize or
state a conversation | had privately
with Mr.. Hartman" said Mr.. Ryan.
Paul d. Cravath interrupted by say
ng to the Chairman: Il feel bound
o say to my client, Mr.. Ryan, that
while he should testify most fully to
what he did and what he planned to
10, he cannot unlesshe chooses to do
80 Voluntarily be required to attempt
o state conversations which Mr.. Har-
,iman or any other man had with
1im."
To this Mr.. Hughes said: 81 deem
he matter important in two aspects.
IN the first place that the committee
may understand the motive which
nay actuate those who desire to OBJ
ain control of the stock of the insur-
lnce company and the proceedings
which may be taken to acquire it;
md secondly, that we may know
whether there is any truth in the re-
BORT that there was any suggestion
hat life insurance conditions i'm this
State would be investigated if Mr.
Ryan did not accede to Mr.. Harri-
mans request. | think that Mr. Ryan
will feel that he can do another pub
ic service by advising the committee
ully."
Mr.. Cravath said that Mr.. Ryan
voudl testify freely as to him in pri-
-ate conversation.
"Mr. Ryan" said Senator Arm
trong, the committee directs you
O answer the question.
81 will answer it so far as to state
hat ! refuse to share the purchase
With Mr. Hartman"
"What did Mr.. Hartman say to you
n connection with the matter?'
Mr.. Cravath-"My advice is that you
re not required to answer that ques-
ion"
A Flat Refusal.
The Chairman-'Do you refuse? %
Mr. Ryan-"I refuse to answer on
he advice of counsel"
Did Mr.. Hartman say that there
fould be any result injurious to your
interest in case you refused to admit
i'm to share in the ownership? 2?
Mr.. Cravath-'T give you the same
dvice. Mr. Ryan. that you are not re-
uired to answer that question
Mr. Ryan-"Same answer"
At the order of Senator Armstrong
he last two questions were repeated
, MI Ryan. who again refused to
nswer, saying he did SO on advice |
f counsel"
Mr.. Hughes then asked the follow
lg question.
Did Mr. Hartman say to you there /
yould be an investigation by a com
1ittee of the legislature or that steps !