The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-12-19
Legislative Committee
Allows Him to Make
an Explanation Con-
corning the Testimony
Given by Ryan.
President Scott Creates
Sensation by Declar-
ing That Introduction
of Letters Would At
tack His Character.

New York, Dec. 14-Edward II. Har-
riman has asked permission to reap
pear before the legislative insurance
investigating committee to testify con-
cerning the declaration of Thomas +.
Ryan that Hartman threatened him
with political influence in case he was
not permitted to share in the purchase
of the James Hazen Hyde controlling
stock in the Equitable Life Assurance
Society. 1t was stated by the chairman
of the committee that Mr.. Hartman
will be permitted to appear before the
committee and make such explanation
and statements as he may desire.
The investigation took sensational
turn this afternoon when Edward w.
Scott, president of the Proyident Saw
ings Life Assurance Society declared
on the witness stand that the introduce
tion of correspondence between him
self and the vice president of the
Equitable would be an attack upon his
personal character instigated by enc
mics that have pursued and bounded
him for the past six years. In dra-
matte, standing attitude, and culver
ing voice, Mr.. Scott declared that
through these enemies the Equitable
had engaged to steal the records Of the
Provident Savings Life for the pur-
kpose Of preying upon his business.
81 repeat my former testimony" de-
elared Mr. Scott hotly, that do not
owe the Equitable Society one dollar.
In the fall of 1900 the records we're
taken out of my Office by man who
engaged with the Equitable to prey
upon my business. He was arrested;
the plumber was found in his room. He
was indicted but upon the earnest
plea of his mother, the matter was not
pressed further.
"a traitorous bookkeeper falsifed
our books in league with the other
party and stole our records. The ad
mission of these letters would be an
injustice to me and to my family and
to the thousands of stockholders of
my company. The matter is entirely
foreign to the business of the commit
tee. | stand ready to meet the Equit-
able in open court. / am responsible
if there is any claim against me, and
IL there has been for eight years or
nine years, why have they not brought
suit against me II owe the Equitable
society money!"
The letters were, however, admitted
in evidence and marked as exhibits,
but were not made public.
At the morning session Mr., Scott
had denied that when he left the
Equitable there was balance of $780,
600 against him, and the afternoon
scene was created when correspond
ence was brought from the Equitable
Offices and offered in evidence.
Mr.. Scott produced a list of cam
paign contributions made by his COM
pany, the items being as follows:
October 10, 1900, Republican national
committee campaign fund $4,000; Sept.
80, 1902, TO ]. Otis Wardwell for ap-
pearance before legislative committee
in Massachusetts,, $4,000; October 20,
1902, j. Otis Wardwell, 81 900 for same
purpose; Oct. 1903, Republican state
committee $50; Oct. 1904, Republican
state committee 800. 1t was shown
by the testimony Of Mr.. Scott that
William II. Buckley of Albany had for
years received $500 annually for tip
ping OFF, the company regarding leg
lslative measures.
Edward Moir, actuary Of the. Provi-
dent stated that the report Of the
company to the Connecticut and Wis
consin insurance departments on gains
and losses for the year 1898 and 1899
was inaccurate. The report showed
the company gained 1928 ON mortal
ity, while the books of the company
showed an actual loss in mortality.
Mr.. Moir could not account for the
mistake he said. He will be further
examined tomorrow.
q