New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-10-13
AN INSURANCE INFERENCE
MAY HURT COMPANIES.
Insurance Committee Night Com
slider On-Appearancc Harmful.

Should certain officials ana former officials of the
Equitable New-York Life Mutual Lie and other
companies persist in remaining outside This state
until the present insurance investigation closes the
legislative committee. il is said will in the last
resort consider their absence presumptive evil
dence Of legislative influencing on the part o.
the companies affected and will so express itself
in its report 1t Is conceded that the unaccount-
able absences even at this time. and in view OF
the testimony adduced. do not constitute legal evil
dence
However, Sir John Lang. NJ. p, who in
terested spectator at recent hearing, observed to
friend that in Great Britain. when witness
after witness is smitten with temporary aphasia
when uncomfortable questions are put when coun-
sci persstently referred delicate subjects
man who has been dead several months, when
important witnesses at crucial junctUres, disap-
pear from public ken-'when all these things hap
pen simultaneously" observed Sir John. we only
drsw one conclusion over there"
The legislative committee is likely to draw an
inference identical with that Of the Scottish NJ P.
A C. Fields. Tribune reporter heard yester-
day. was in the Thousand Islands. well outside the
State and country when last heard from
Judge Hamilton. told exclusively In yester-
days Tribune, remains apparently In England,
awaiting the arrival Of George ". Perkins
The Merchants Association Of New-Yorz, through
its board OF directors, adopted resolutions yesteT
day calling on District Attorney Jerome to ascer-
the officers Of life insurance companies who have
contributed the funds Of the companies to political
campaign committees. The association also asks
that civil action be brought by Attorney General
Mayer looking to the restitution OF any money so
contributed. In addition to the adoption Of the
resolutions the Merchants Association expressed
its desire that District Attorney jerome reconsider
his determination not to ask for an extraordinary
session OF the grand jury TO consider the question
at this time.
William, y
Edward II. Shepard, or behalf of Franklin B. Lord,
who some time ago obtained from Justice Maddox
in the Supreme Court. Brooklyn, a injunction
straining the society from carrying out the pro-
posed plan for naturalization, appeared before the
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, Brooklyn,
yesterday afternoon on the appeal from the order
granting the injunction. The courtroom was filed.
On the bench were Justices Bartlett. Woodward,
Rich, Miller and Hooker.
The arguments on both sides were similar to
those made the original motion. Mr.. Horn
blower spoke OF the internal dissensons in the 50
ciety, and said they had no bearing on the legal
aspect OF the case in hand. He conceded that. al
though there had been quarrelling it had resulted
IN good In closing his argument he said:
The society has been conducted through all its
pany. IN fact. as well as in name. The proposed
plan is but to carry out its original purpose and is
serious evils in the past and IS likely to produce
still greater evils in the future.
Mr. Shepard spoke no less vigorously IN opposl-
ton to the plan for naturalization. which, he de-
clared. was a sham. He said:
The present investigation into the affairs of the
New-TOrk Life Insurance Company has shown the
danger Of companies supposed to be operated for
the benefit Of the pOliCyhOlders. This company be-
longs to the stockholders and the IegisatIIre has
right to amend its charter. IF this injunction
be not upheld the legislature viii be permitted TO
interfere with any corporation OF any kind
Ex-President Cleveland. Justice Morgan J.
OBrien and George Westinghouse, the three Ryan
Equitable trustees. held several conferences at the
Hotel Buckingham virtually devoting the entire
day, it IS said. TO the framing of circular be
sent out 10 the Equitabe's poIcyhoIders. The
trustees viii resume their conference this morn
ing. No candidates were definitely recommended
70 fill the six existing vacancies in the Equitable
board.
On behalf Of Thomas J. O'Donneu and other large
Colorado pocyholders in the Mutual Life Insurance
sent letter to Attorney General Mayer yesterday
asking Mr.. Mayer forthwith begin suits force
the executive officers and trustees OF the company
TO restore the company's treasury the s92500 con-
tributed Republican campaign funds in the last
nine years. Mr.. Crisp asked that pursuant 10 the
provisions Of Section I.7Sl Of the Code Of Civil
Procedure Mr.. Mayer also bring suit to compel
duct in the management and disposition Of the
funds and property OF the company and Ito remove
the offending officers, agents or trustees
In closing Mr.. Crisp offers to cooperate with At
torrev General Mayer In the bringing and prosecu
ton Of the actions suggested