Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-11-18
Knew a Rambunctious Man Up
The River but Forgot His
Name.
BUSINESS SEEMED FAMILIAR.
Tx-Gov. Budd OF California Anxious
TO Go Before Committee and
Clear up Some Matters.

Armstrong; committee on insurance in
yestIgation finished a weeks service
which has not been eclosed since the
Investigation was lnaugurated. The
witnesses have been the most Import
ant. including the 'big guns" In the
financial world, as well as the insurance
business.
Early in the week James H. Hyde
was examined and made charges
against Il. Ii. Hartman and former
Gov Od.ll, who successfully appeared
and denied MIR. Hyde's statements, and
Mir Hyde, being recalled, affirmed his
testimony Then Senator Chauncey
VI. Depew was heard, ana when the
session opened today it was expected
that before the day was over Senator
Plat would be called. He is wanted
TO testify as 20 the collection Of con-
tributions to political campaign funds
by the insurance companies. Mr. Ouell
having testified yesterday that Sena-
tor Plat collected all such money up
TO last year, II is now expected that
he senator will be heard early next
week, possibly on Tuesday, when the
sessions will be resumed
Samuel S. McCurdy, assistant reglst-
rar of the Equitable, and not related
to the McCurdys OF the Mutual Lie,
said he had charge of the vouchers
for legal service, From him was
CLEANED a story of trouble IN Callfor-
MIA In 1897, which the insurance CON.
missioners of that state demanded an
investigation. Thousands OF dollars
we're spent by the Equitable In this
matter, as recounted by Mr.. McCuruy.
and he justified the expenditure on the
ground that 1t would have cost the
Equitable about $4,000 had no defense
been made, hence The expenditure for
counsel He seemed to think the de-
nands OF the Ca lilornia commissions
ers were exorbItant
Senator Depew was called TO give
any information he might possess as to
number OF vouchers for legal services,
but his knowledge was rather limited.
and many of the expenditures aud sign
ers Of these vouchers he had never
heard Of.
One voucher to John A. Nichols for
legal services wGs accompanied by
letter TO : lator Depew referring to
our friend, who comes around once
year and your rambunctious friend
up the river" The senator said he
knew Nichols had been retained at diff
ferent times by the Equitable, but he
dd not know In what connection. Mr..
Nichols. ne said, was once quarantine
commissioner and used to be active
IN politics.
While Mr.. Tarhell was testifying.
Senator Depew was recalled and asked
about vouchers Of John \. Nichols for
$1,000 for legal services to the EcuIt-
able. Senator Depew could throw no
light on the matter beyond the fact
that Nichols was retained by the Equit-
able.
Mr. Hughes counsel for the commit
tee, read an extract from a letter which
was written by Nichols to the senator
IN which the following appeared:
That this Is to remind YOU that
some one gets round at this time of
the year
DO you recall" asked Mr.. Hughes,
who this some one is?"
81 do not recall his name" said Sem
ator Depew.
Here Mr.. Hughes again read from
the letter: Our friend up the river
has been very rambunctious of late and
wants To know. you know"
Mr., Hughes asked il that referred to
the same man.
u believe SO, but do not recall his
name said the senator, He added that
NliN lildll was iloA Api'IfNANN VIVA Atl-
legislature, and he thought he had moth
ing to DO with politics, but was an in
surance man.
Did sou know Thomas d. Husted?"
asked Mr.. Hughes.
81 did, very well. lie il now dead.
He was the son Of Gen. Hustled, and he
was retained by the Equitable up 20
the time Of his DEATH" said the sena-
tor.
The letters concerning which Mr.
Hughes questioned Senator Depew were
as follows;
New York Dec, 10. lS9G,--My Dear,
Depew MY friend who usually gets
around at this time Of the year has
written me several letters 10 which [
have not replied. He now writes me
that he will be here Monday or Tues
day and desires me TO help him as us
ual What shall 10? Faithfully yours,
JOHN A. NICHOLS"
New York, Dec. g. l9OO-My Dear
Senator: Our friend up the river has
been very rambunctlous Of late and
wants to know, you know. Don't care
q hang, etc, etc. As soon as YOU can
conveniently say viii you kindly do So
Wishing you all the good things OF
life In this holiday season, l am, as
ever. yours
JOHN A. NICHOLS"
The senator said that he did not know
IN what service the letters related but
that he knew at the time he received
them and that he turned them over to
Mr.. Alexander or Mr., Hyde OF the
Equitable society.
BUDD WANTS TO TESTIFY,
San Francisco, Nov. l7.-Former Gov
James FL Budd said tonight I'm refer
ence TO the testimony of Samuel S Nc
Curdy before the Insurance lnyestiga-
ton at New York:
From the statements made by Mr.,
MeCurdy. the presumption might arise
that | had gone to New York while still.
holding the Office Of governor. ! did not
go east until 1900 or 1901, which was a
couple Of years after my term of office
had expie1. | went to New York as
an attorney connected with an investi-
cation OF insurance matters. This in
curry had been In progress for many
years and arose partly through an ef-
fort to straighten legal Insurance tan
giles In California. There was no Sc
crecy about my trip, The newspaper
dvelt upon Il rather fully at the time.
The investigation included several COM
panles and one In particular"
Which one?" was asked.
THAT ! do not feel at liberty TO say
did the compensation for your SER
Vices as attorney come from the In
suranee companies"
Il understood &C" replied Mr., Budd
Have you any objection to stating
the amount2'
II have All that will say is that
the amount was not enough"
When asked for definite statement
Of the nature OF the investigation he
was making. Mr.. Budd said that he did
not feel privileged to do 50. as It con.
cerned other persons than himself and
he felt obligated to consult with sudh
persons before giving the Information.
When asked II he had ever heard OF
money being paid TO State Insurance
Commissioner Clunle. either directly or