Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-11-21
Interesting Testimony of
Go-Betweens Brought
Out
BLACKMAIL SYSTEM
Prominent New York Politician
Tells of Labors With City
Government.

New York, Nov. 21-John A Nichols
former quarantine commissioner in
New York, who wrote letters to Sena-
tor Depew in behalf Of his friend who
usually gets around at this time of the
year" was a witness before the insur-
ance investigating committee today.
Much interest was aroused by the
reading of Nichols letters TO Depew
on Friday as the senator was not able
to remember who Nichols friends
We're
Employed - Years.
Nichols said he had been employed
by the Equitable society for about %
years under an annual retainer of
$1,000. One matter entrusted 10 him
was that of W. $. Manning of Albany.
The witness said Manning. who had
been an actuary. was employed by Ger
tain people to bring charges against
the Equitable society that the reserve
was not so large as it ought to be.
To Keep Him "FavorabIe."
Manning was paid $3.50 Nichols said
$50 that he would be favorable to the
company" The witness said this was
paid 10 keep Manning from being en-
ployed against the company Several
vouchers signed by Nichols were pro
duced but he was unable TO explain
them. The letters of the witness to
Senator Depew he said referred to
Manning. He wrote TO Depew because
the senator was on the finance com
mittee and that he expected the sena-
tor TO turn the letters over to the exc
cutive officers.
Connected With Investigation.
The witness thought Manning was
connected with the investigation of in
surance companies in 1877. but did not
know in what capacity. He could not
recollect whether Manning was paid
money 70 prevent him publishing the
results of this investigation which
would seriously affect the Equitable.
Used False Names.
The names of Pierson. Brooker. Bal
derson. and numerous others on vouch-
ers on which payments were made,
Nichols said were false names used To
protect Manning and keep his name
out of the matter. During the period
the witness was employed by the Mu-
tual Life "in looking after Manning"
as Hughes termed IL, Manning was
paid for the Mutual sums like those
paid for the Equitable. The same sys-
TEN OF using false names TO protect
Manning was followed in his dealings
with the Mutual
Blrd New York Life.
The witness said he received $1,000
annually. For time he received 81
900 also from the New York Life but
they discontinued ii about 1899 The
witness said Manning wanted Ito fol
low up the New York Life. but he
quilted him without the use of addi-
tional money" Nichols says he does
not know where Manning is now.
Looked After city officials.
Thomas CommanS, formerly presi
dent of the board of aldermen and act
ing mayor upon Mayor Hoffman's cleo
tion To the governorship, was next
called. Hughes asked If he was an in
termediary between the city depart
ments and the Equitable society and
the witness replied. Whenever they re-
member of Tammany hall.
Had Assessments Reduced.
He said he looked after getting the
tax assessment OF the officers of tbs
Equitable reduced Among these he
said We're Henry B. Hyde. James ii
Hyde and George f.. Tarben. He had
never received money for political pur
poses.
Helped New York Republicans
New York. Nov. 21.-Senator Tho
mas {. Plat testified before the insur
anCe committee that the Equitable con
tributed $4,000 a year TO the republi
can state campaign fund.
He said the contributions were in
cash. and were sent by messenger e
his office and he turned them over tC
the state committee. They were unso
Hcited. he said.
Made Annual Contributions
Plat said that $40 O00 was frequent
ly paid as an annual contribution Il
the state campaign fund. but that i
was not a regular thing and that h.
could not remember the years in whicl
IL was paid. The New York Life ais
contributed. but lot nearly so much