New-York tribune., 1905-08-09
MkEEN NOW FAVORED.
MAY. PROBE INSURANCE.
Committee Expected To Decide on
prominent TODAY.

The subcommittee of the legislative insurance
investigating committee is expected to recon-
mend the appointment of James McKeen, of
Brooklyn. A meeting OF the general committee
has been called for midday. Mr. Hughes,
told in The Tribune several days ago was first
approached but the subcommittee does not be-
lieve that he will be chosen The committee
pected to hear from Mr.. Hughes yesterday, but
no reply, at least no favorable one, had been
received I'D TO a late hour last night. Not only
has Mr. Hughes affiliations with the Equitable,
which he might consider would prejudice his in
vestigation in the eyes OF the public but he is
ten days distant from the scene of the ihvestiga-
ton His friends in this city, without presuming
to speak for him, are firmly of opinion that he
will not see his way to curtail, at moments
notice. his much needed rest with HIS family.
Nj McKeen, on the other hand. who is now
also on a vacation in Portland. Ne. has not
only satisfied the committee Of his complete full
hlment of the peculiar qualifications of the
work, but has intimated his Willingness and
ability TO accept it under certain conditions
said TO be entirely reasonable. In view OF the
contingency that the general COMMITTEES may not
indoEse its recommendation. the sub-comrnittee
carries ttsrfist the OF three etAer men
who are available candidates. These will
only be drawn upon, however, in the last resort
AS to the qualifications of Mr.. McKeen, who
the Brooklyn bar. the sub b-commttee has learned
that, while he has insurance entanglements
he has enjoyed, especially in the early part Of
his career an experience in insurance litigation
which should be invaluable in the event of his
selection as counsel in the forthcoming investi-
cation. AS 10 mis- qualifications inquisitor,
his associates on the recent Police Reform Com
mittee OF Nine, while conceding his lack OF
dramatic qualities, unite in praise Of his work
Mr McKeen was Assistant Corporation Counsel
in charge of the Brooklyn office in the Low ad-
rninistration and two years ago was a candi-
date for the office of Justice of the Supreme
Court He was likewise receiver in the recent
Rothschild Globe Security case
MI Hughes is not reported, in Switzerland,
but in Austria ii is believed near Vienna, where
The subcommittee seeks to reach him.
F2Avond the announcement that a meeting of
the general committee had been called for mid
day. and that he hoped" to be able to announce
a selection tonight Senator Armstrong, the
chairman Of the subcommittee would make no
statement last night. and the other members
were equally reticent. The Senator, however
when asked at 10 p. whether the suo-com-
nittee had received a favorable reply from
MI Hughes" simply said. We have not" Later
he would not admit that the committee hau even
sent a cable message to Mr. Hughes.
Hughes had already sent one reply several Gays
ago. asking for more definite information This
could not be confirmed, however II is known
that late Yesterday the subcommittee was sun
expecting a reply from Vienna.
The associate counsel for the investigation
viii not be decided on probably until the chleI
counsel is consulted, the selection OF the
official stenographers also until the quesnoh OF
counsel and associate counsel has been set
aled.
Ex-Governor Odel and his father were visit
ors at the Equitable Building Asked II ms
visit had anything to do with the IesNHatIEe
insurance investigation. Mr.. Odell said;
No ! just ran down to Manhattan 10 at
tend board meeting I going right back
10 Newburg."
Several members of the legislative sup-coh-
rnfttee we're asked afterward If they had seen
the Ex-Governor. They replied that they hau
not nor did they expect TO do So
Ex-Judge Alton B. Parker was one OF lhose
consulted by the subcommittee as TO the names
of available men. The interesting Information
was conveyed TO the subcommittee that the
consultant himself would not be insusceptible TO
an offer.