New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-12-12
T. r. RYAN WILL ANSWER.
Pressure from DIR. Jerome Makes
EnmtabLe's Ozcner Change Mind.

Thomas F Ryan the new owner OF the Equi-
table, will return to the witness stand before
the insurance investigating committee and an
swer the questions regarding conversations be-
tween himself and e. H. Hartman, to which
he refused to respond on Friday. This decision
was reached when Paul D. Cravath, Mr.. Ryan's
attorney, learned from District Attorney Jerome
that Mr. Ryan's continued refusal must result
in his arrest for the misdemeanor Of refusing
to answer the proper questions of a regularly
appointed committee of legislative inquiry. It
is likely that Mr.. Ryan viii be called at this
mornings session of the insurance investsa-
ton, and interesting revelations regarding Mr.
Harriman's efforts to get fresh hold on the
Equitable are expected
The first thing MT. Jerome did on his return
from his country home at Lakeville, Conn., yes
terday morning was to take up the testimony OF
Fridays session of the committee. He was not
long in reaching a decision that the questions
which Mr. Hughes had asked and which MI
RYAN had refused to answer on advice or Mr..
Crayath. his attorney, were proper questions
Shortly after noon Mr. Cravath called at the
Criminal Courts Building and had long con-
ference with the District Attorney. He finally
agreed to produce Mr.. Ryan before the commit
tee with the understanding that he would an
swer the questions in dispute. Letters 10 thls
effect were dictated and signed and Mr. Jerome
left for the aldermanic chamber at the City
Hall where the insurance committee was III
session.
At the CITY Hall there was conference be-
tween Senator Armstrong, MI Hughes and Mr.
Jerome 1t is said that the District Attorney
wanted to know If the committee would be salts
fed with the agreement that Mr. Ryan would
give the desired testimony, or if they wanted him
prosecuted for the previous refusal. He refused
to discuss the Ryan matter on leaving the
chamber. saying that any statement should
come from the chairman of the committee
At the close OF the session Senator Armstrong
gave out a letter from Mr. Jerome which he
said closed the incident. The letter was as
follows:
I beg TO acknowledge receipt of q communication
of December from the joint conlmlt5ee OF me
RYAN 10 answer certain questions asked him by
your counsel in the course of your inveStiga tlon
you inclosed me. and the minutes of the stenogra-
pher 1 reached the conclusion that. as matter OF
law. air. Ryan should answer me quesli99ns pro
pounded to him, although on hrSt conslderation'
boeve thai the object Of your committee in cali
Ing my attention the matter was to secure the
tSTaVstb ana informed him that in my opinion
Mr. Ran ought to answer the questions PROFOUND
ed 20 him I infer from what Mr.. Cravath said
disincnation to repeat what he deemed private
your committee of the beneHt or any knowledge
am sgd 4g om ny Ny t Rqsn w he Mi Mi a6dg R
my decision the point Of law involved, and tes-
tify as 10 the matters in regard to which he has
heretofore refused to testify.
Mr. Cravath made this statement last night:
The decision OF the District Attorney that Mr.
Ryan should answer the questions which he re
fused to answer IN the legislative insurance in
vestigaton last Friday has just reached us through
d letter addressed by Mr.. Jerome to Mr.. Crayath.
which was accompanied by copy of letter ad-
dressed by Mr.. Jerome to Chairman Armstrong.
We have advised Mr. Ryan that, in view Of the de-
csion Of the District Attorney. he should answer
the questions, and he is prepared to do so when
ever recalled by the investigating committee
Wednesday promises to be an eventful day
in the affairs of both the Mutual and the New
York Life companies The resignation of
| George w. Perkins vice-president Will be the
feature Of the monthly meeting of the New-York
Life which VIII be held at No. 80 Broadway
on that day, unless John A. Mccall decides to
yield to the general pressure for change OF
heads in the big companies and hands in his
resignation. About the New-York Life Build
ing yesterday there were vigorous denials that
any such step would be taken by President Nc
Call. II this resignation comes it will hardly
be before the January meeting, at which the
trustees pass on the statements OF the year.
At the offices of the Mutual there is still much
speculation as to who VIII fill exvPresident Nc
| Curdy's place. The vice-presidents are kept