The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-12-09
RYAN DEFIES
IIC0MMITTEE
----------~
Equitable Head FlatIy Refuses
TO Answer Certain Questions
HARTMAN WANTED STOCK
But Whether He Promised Influence to
Head of Inquiry Witness Won't
say-control Averted
Panic
Equitable Head Flatly Refuses
HARTMAN WANTED STOCK

New York, Dec. 9~Thomas Fortune
Ryan, owner OF the Equitahle's majority
stock, and rumored to be fighting for
the control of the Mutual and New York
Life, appeared as a witness yesterday
before the insurance investigating com
mittee, and refused absolutely to answer
certain questions put by Chief Inquisi-
tor Hughes. BY this course he laid
himself liable to prosecution for CON
tempt.
In the event the committee decides to
force answers from Mr.. Ryan, the pro-
cedure under the circumstances will be
the fling Of an information with a city
magistrate against the recalcitrant wit
ness, in which niisdemeanor will be
charged, consisting in his alleged son
tempt Of Legislative committee.
\ There is also possibility that the
committee may wait until the legis-
Iature convenes, when they can apply
from a senatorial warrant against MIR.
Ryan based upon a charge Of contempt.
The situation when Mr.. Ryan refused
to answer was intensely dramatic. Not
since the inquiry began had d direct
defiance DC the committee heen INDUCED
in By i witness. Mr. Hughes had, here
t0fore, laid. his course free from the
rocks Of objection.
Intense silence in tile big room for
moment followed the Witness first
fiat defiance.
The questions came from Mr.. Hughes
lii ringing and decisive tones. There
Was nothing apologize in his attitude.
Ills treatment Of the powerful witness
was lust as considerable as it has been
throughout
MIR Ryan, on the other hand, showed
plainly his nervousness. He flushed hot-
liz and twisted iii his chair. His re-
fusals were spoken Ia q low tone, and
he seemed TO find strength III the pres.
enee of his counsel,
The break came In the proceedings
when Mr.. Hughes wanted to know
whether IL II. Hartman had offered,
as currently reported, to use his intlH-
enee with the state administration to
prevent an insurance investigation in
the event he was given an interest in
the stock purchased from Mr.. Hyde by
Ryan Mr. Ryan refused To testify as
to what Mr. Hartman bad said to him
IN private conversation.
Lawyer Cravath, the witness cnnn-
sel, then arose and instructed his client
that he was not compelled to answer.
Mr. Ryan then refused to answer Il
questio mas to whether Mr.. Hartman had
said to him that there would be state
Investigation OF insurance companies nn-
less he (Harriman) was given d share
Of the stock.
"The committee directs you to am
swer,n said Chairman Armstrong.
Il refuse to answer, on advice of
counsel was the reply.
Mr.. Hughes, asked these questions,
he said. to find ont whether or not
Hartman had made threats to the ef.
feet that unless Hartman was allowed
4 share III the purchase there would be
legislative investigation Of life insur-
anee companies. The witness had testi-
fed That Hartman, after his purchase,
had asked to buy share. Hartman
had offered to pay the same figure which
MIR. Ryan paid Hyde.
Mr.. Hughes put a dozen questions to
the witness, along the same line, hoping
to elicit some information as to the
particular conversation between the two
finaneiers, but to all Mr.. Ryan declined
70 answer, except one.
Mr.. Hughes finally asked whether
Hartman had made the threat Of leg
islative inquiry in case he did not get
share Of the Equitable stock, ard Mr..
Ryan answered aNo9 before Lawyer
Cravath could intervene.
In explanation OF his refusal 10 share
the stock with Hartman, Mr.. Ryan
said that tie had desired to form the
trusteeship in his own way.
Mr. Hughes asked Mr.. Ryan II he
favored retirement Of the stock Of in-
surance companies.
Mr. Ryan was guarded in his reply,
saying it was Il subject for grave con-
sideration. Stock ownership, ne said,
made someone responsible for The man
agement Of companies.
He believed that the plan OF trusteeing
stock, as had been done in the Equitable,
would prove of great benefit
Mr.. Hughes called Mr.. Ryan's atten-
ton to the fact that the Equitable trust
is only for five years, and that in case
81 his death the trllsteeship would end.
n reply Mr.. Ryan said that he had
instructed MIR. Cravath to work out some
rlan far perpetrating the trusteeship.
Ile admitted that lie considered the trus-