The news & observer., 1905-12-13
Because Mr.. Jerome Said
it Ought To.
HARRI MANS DEMANDS
Wanted Controlling Interest in The
1. Equitable and Threatened to Ex-
ert His Influence Against Ryan
and His Projects If the De-
mand Was Refused.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press.)
New York. Dec. 12.-Thos. F. Ryan
today appeared before the Insurance.
Investigating Committee and told what
H. Hartman did and threatened to
do when he demanded that Mr.. Ryan
concede to him a share in the con,
troll of the Equitable Life Assurance
Society last June. Mr.. Ryan assured
the committee that he had meant no
disrespect by his former refusal to
disclose their conversations and said
that he had determined to answer the
questions 70 which he had refused re-
plies on Friday last. because District
Attorney Jerome said he ought to
do so.
Mr.. Ryan's version of what Mr.. Har-
riman demanded and what he threat
ened to do upon the refusal of his de-
IuandS, was. in substance. as follows.
That Hartman demanded cne-half
of the 502 shares of the stock of the
Equitable Life Assurance Society
which Mr. Ryan had purchased from
Jas. II. 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 and all other influences
against Mr.. Ryan and his project.
That Hartman declared there
probably would be legislative action
and that in that event his influence
would be important. That Hartman
demanded the right to name two OF
five trustees TO vote the controlling
stock in the election of directors OF
the society. In reply to repeated ques~
tions by ChaS. e. Hughes. council of
the committee. Mr.. Ryan stated thai
Mr.. Hartman did not threaten that
there should be legislative action un-
less he was given a snare IN the
Equitable control. but said there prob
ably would be such action. Neither
did Mr. Hartman threaten any ac-
ton by an officer Of the government.
1t was 2 strenuous interview, Mr..
Ryan said. and was held in the pres
ence Of Elihu Root then Mr. Ryan's
counsel now Secretary of State. ana
Paul ID. Cravdth, also Nj. Ryan's coun-
seld. NJ. Ryan told the committee
that he drew the inference from II
that Mr. Hartman did not want any,
body to control the Equitable Soci-
ETY. unless he had a share in it. Mr..
RYAN also stated that he paid no at
tention 10 NJ. Horriman's stltement
that his influence would important
in the event of legislative action. and
Informed him that he wanted no part
ners in the enterprise. NJ. Hartman
did no. get U,le CONcLtu SIItit & III oiiO
stock.
Mr.. RYAN declared that this inter-
view took place within few days ar
ter he got control of the Hyde stock.
Prudential in Politics.
United states Senator John f. Dry
Den. Of New Jersey president of the
Prudential Life Insurance Company
of America was on the witness STAND
all the remainder of the day. he
testified that his company paid $50
600 to the Republican campaign tund
in 1896. 1900 and 1904. 1t also paid
$4,000 to Andrew Hamilton, formerly
the New York Life Insurance legisla-
tive agent at Albany No money was
Maid to A. c. Fields, who maintained a
house at Albany. .
since 1896 the Prudential has paid
to the Metropolitan Life insurance
Company as a share of legislative eX-
penses the sum Of $24, $40. 'Ine SEN
ator said all his comDany's legal eE>
penses were fair. open and above
board and honest and the company
never spent a dishonest dollar on leg
islation.
Il have heard a great deal about
corruption" said Senator Dryden, Out
/ never found it necessary. Never
to the extent of one dollar did my
company contribute to any corruption
fund"
Senator Dryden said that in 1904
Thomas n. McCarley, then attorney
general of the State of New Jersey, was
paid $27 500 by the Prudential for le-
gal services. Senator Dryden explain
ed that under the laws Of New Jer-
.ev q public official Of that State is at
liberty to engage in business while
holding office.
Mr.. Dryden said his salary as pres
Forest Dryden, was paid $4,000 as
their representative"
TWO LITTLE ONES nIFAD