The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-31
EQUITABLE PAID FOR DINNER
TO FRENCH AMBASSADOR BUT
MIR. HYDE REFUNDED.
Supt. Of Insurance Wouldn't Have II, It
Is said, Although ObJeOt WSs to Avert
Hostile Legislation in French,prop.
says Society Il Wisely Managed.

man Close to the James Hazen Hyde
interests In the Equitable controversy
admitted yesterday that Mr., Hyde had
paid the expenses Of the dinner given by
him in November, 1907. TO NJ. Jules CambOn,
the French Ambassador, from the funds
OF the society, Of which he is the vioe-presi-
dent and the controlling Stookholder.
This accusation ia regard TO the Cambon
dinner Is one Of those made against Mr..
Hyde In the petition filed by Senator Edgar
T. Bracket with the Superintendent Of
Insurance in Albany, in which 1t is sought
10 have Mr.. Hyde removed from office,
along with Jacob II. Sohih, q director Of
the society
The man who made this statement added,
however that the money had been re-
funded to the society by Mr.. Hyde. This
was done. 1t was said, by direction Of the
Superintendent Of Insurance, soon after
the regular examination OF the society's
books by representatives from the Super
intendent's Office. The expenditure was
justified az a society expenditure, in the
opinion Of the man who told about II. There
was pending in France at the time OF the
dinner be said legislation which, II carried,
would have been most rejudicial to the
Of NJ. Cambon many nice things we're said
about France and the French people, and
the proposed legislation was not enacted.
The Equitable society had prohted by
the dinner. and 1t was no more than right
that the expenses should be paid from the
funds Of the society.
The cost Of the dinner. at the time when
II was given, was estimated at $50 900. It
was in the grand ballroom at Sherry's.
More than $50 persons attended, and they
sat at tables decked with pink orchids
and American Beauty roses, blooming amid
a bedding Of Virginia creePer and the red
and yellow leaves Of autumn
Some persons who heard Of this yes
terday expressed the opinion that how
ever much the dinner might speak for Mr..
Hyde's business ability, 1t would not, in
view Of the explanation, be an entirely pleas
ant memory for NJ. Cambon.
Mr.. Hyde personally, and bis counsel.
remained silent yesterday regarding all the
accusations, declaring that they would Do
answered satisfactorily at proper time.
II was intmated In some quarters yes
terday that the policyholders' committee,
OF which John d. Crimmius Is chairman.
had In its possession more information
regarding the charges made in the Bracket
petition than is generally known. Mr.. Grim
minis when questioned in regard to the ac-
cusation that Mr.. Hyde had paid the eI-
penaes Of the Cambon dinner from the
funds Of the society said:
Il am sure that Mr.. Hyde paid for that
himself. II any Of the funds Of the society
we're used they were refunded by Mr..
Hyde
Mr. Crimmins also said that he could
easily imagine circumstances in which
the paying OF the expenses OF a dinner
like the Cambon dinner by life insurance
company would be a legitimate expen-
diture.
Speaking Of the costume ball given re-
Gently by Mr.. Hyde, Mr. Crimmins said
that he under stood that Mr.. Hyde had
denied that he paid for this with the So
cety's money.
Il believe said Mr.. Crimmins, that Mr..
Hyde is thoroughly honest The best
proof Of this IL in the fact that the funds
Of the society have not been diverted to
interests inimical to the society and that
they have increased enormously year by
year.
Senator Depew said yesterday;
twill not reply 10 any charges that have
been directed personally against members
OF the board. II thought those charges
were true would not stay in the board
twelve hours, and neither would the other
directors. No, won't say that. We would
all stay and there would be the biggest
sort Of a house cleaning.
THE charges that the funds Of the society
have been specialized with and that the
officers and directors have benefited by the
profits Of the society are false. The affairs
Of the society are conducted oompetently,
ably and judiciously, and IL II as sound as
any savings bank in the country-mors 30
than most Of them.
The Crimmins COMMITTEES held a long
meeting yesterday afternoon, and after It
had broken up It became known that a
difference Of opinion had sprung up among
the members as TO the demands that should
be made for naturalization. 1t IL pretty
certain that the Hyde interests have offered
further concessions, some say thirty-three
directors Of the hfty-two 10 be elected
by the polioyholders.
Some members Of the committee, IL Is
were in favor Of insisting upon
the immediate naturalization Of the board
upon this basis, while others believed il
would be better TO demand board COM
posed entirely Of policyholders' directors
and to concede longer time for efecing
the change. The arguments In the meeting,
it was reported, were quite heated at times,
but II was denied aiterward that there was
any serious Misunderstanding.
Another meeting Of the committee was
held at $50 o'clock In the evening In Mr..
Cdmmlns's house at 20 East SiKty-eighth
street. Besides Mr.. Crimmins, there were
at the meeting Frank Plat, Henry Nor
genthau, Z. w. Bloomingdale, Charles
Buckley Hubbell and two Others. When
the members came out Of the house, Mr.
Plat said 10 the newspaper men:
I'VE have no announcement 20 make
20 might except that the meeting was en-
tirely harmonious and the committee IL
unanimous In its opinion Of what ought
10 be DONE
Another meet ting Of the committee, Il
was said, would be held this morning.
and II Il expected that the latest demands
Of the committee win be made public at
that time,
II was reported frequently during the
day that Superintendent Of Insurance
Francis Hendricks had arrived IN town
and was in conference With Mr.. Hyde and