The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-24
TALK OF INSURANCE HOLD-UP.
MINORS FOLLOW NAMING or IN
IESTIGATING COMMITTEE
similar 10 Tn ose After Legislatures Action
in the Gas Case LAST Wintcr-Gov.
Higgins Acted At the Request OF
Cunt. Hendricks - The Committee.

in the Gas Case Last wintcr-Gov.
H,xs,ns Acted At the Request OF
supt. Hendricks - The Committee.
Albany, July 2s-Republican tongues,
and for that matter Democratic tongues,
have been wagging briskly since the ex-
traordnary session OF the Legislature ad-
,ourned. Last winter. before the stevens
gas Investigating committee legislation was
raised. 1t was said very pointedly IN hlgn
Republican and Democratic circles that
there would have been no such legislation
n the demands for lump sum made by
well known Republicans on certain gas
men in New York city had not been met
nv fat refusal The story repeated at
the time was circumstantial in its details
and bore all the earmarks OF truth.
Since Thursday, when Gov. Higgins's
extraordinary session adjourned, similar
s,orics to those Of last winter have been
circulated. only in this instance the demands
for a lump sum to prevent legislative m
yestigation are said TO have been made on
Insurance men. 1t is added that these
,,.rnands like those made upon the gas
neonle. we're met with positive refusal
The story concerning the refusal OF insur-
ence men to heed the demands made upon
them Is Just as circumstantial as the gas
stories of last winter,
After the refusal of insurance people 10
honor these alleged demands certain wei
known Republicans began to insist Is
declared. upon a legislative investigation
as the only panacea for the insurance ms
NJ the State. Last winter it was not un.il
GAS men had taken similar stand that the
stems for a gas investigation by the Legis-
lature we're taken.
It Is universally conceded by Republicans
here that Gov Higgins gave the Legislature
the opportunity to investigate all life IN
s,ranoe companies in the State at the per-
sonal request Of Superintendent OF In
a,ranoe Francis H endricks Gov. hlg-
gins and Supt. Hendricks are the firmest
and most intimate friends. 1t is not too
much to cav that both Gov. Higgins and
s,nt Hendricks had heard the stories OF
the demands which had been made on IN
.urance men and OF their refusal 10 heea
them and that these stories had no "eish'
with either Gov. Higgins or Supt. hendricks
in bringing about legislative action. SUPP
Hendricks, In advising Gov. Higgins 70
give the Legislature an opportunity 10
investigate the life insurance companies
of this State, did 80, his Intimate lriehof
assert. in Difference to a public oamoi
.vhioh had been manufactured In GER
tain quarters by certain Republican poll
hcians familiar with that style OF cam
paigning.' :.
Gov. Higgins, it is further asserted Is
fully acquainted with the methods useo
within the last month. Both he and Supt
Hendricks. their friends said to-day, nope
for the best from the joint legislative In
s,rance investigating committee, but tha'
thew prefer to await the committee re-
nort next winter before they are ready tc
believe that the policyholders OF all In
sranoe companies in the State are to re-
oeiye substantial benefit through leglsla
tive investigating committee.
One thing can be accepted 1t was averred
and that IL that certain Republicans VINO
now oomplaisantly tell Of their interest IL
the dear policyholders were not at mrs
actuated by any other than graft motives
When those became futile they howle'
for a legislative investigation.
Senator W. W. Armstrong OF Rocheste
was chosen chairman of the insurance
Investigation special committee on accoun
~ his friendship with Gov. Higgins. he
n conservative member Of the Legislator
and is very friendly with George W. AID
ridge, the Republican leader Of Monro
county, who has just been elevated by tn
Governor to the State Railroad Commis
sionership This would seem to indicat
that Mr.. Aldridge and Mr.. Higgins are to b
very intimate in the future.
Senator Tully is new member OF IN
LEGISLATURE, but was entrusted with Tn
responsibility Of the bill to increase tn
membership of the State Railroad Con
mission, which was desired by the Governo
and which also gave Mr.. Aldridge his ne
place, 30 that 80 far as the majority OF tn
committee Is concerned from the uppe
house the Governor has two stanc
friends who will undoubtedly investigate
the satisfaction of the Governor.
Senator Riordan and Senator Frawle
are the minority members OF the Sena
Insurance Committee. Senator Riordal
the Democratic member Of the insurant
investigation special committee, is slate
for political oblivion after his present ter
expires so he will not endeavor to inje
partizan policy into the investigation
1t was either he or Senator Frawley wi
was to have been appointed, but Sem
tor Frawley is altogether too close to Il
leaders Of Tammany Hall.
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