Evening journal., 1905-12-15
HARRIMANDOUBTS
RYAN'S MOTIVE
Vas STAGGERED When He
Learned Of Ryan'S Control
of Equitable
AGAIN BEFORE COMMITTEE
BY Publishers Press.

/ BY Publishers Press.
New York, Dec. 15.-E. H. Harri-
man, who was accused by Thomas f..
Ryan of threatening to use his innu-
ence against Ryan. unless he were al
lowed to share i'm the purchase Of the
Hyde stock by Ryan. was called to the
stand today. to explain his conyersa-
ton with Ryan.
Mr.. Harmon testified that he first
learned of Ryan's purchase of the
Hyde stock ON Friday, the day Paul
Morton was made chairman of the
Equitable board whilo he was on his
way from the Erie ferry to his Office.
On reaching his Office he called Ryan
on the telephone and told him he heard
the rumors of his purchase of the
stock and Ryan replied that his pur-
chase of the stock was conditional Of
/ the selec.lon OF his nominee as chair
man of the board. Ryan said he want
ed the witnesses assistance in carry
ing things through He had criticised
Ryans injection of himself into the
Equitable situation and asked what it
meant
Hartman Staggered.
In reply to Mr.. Hughes question as
| to why he had criticised Ryan's entry
into the insurance field Hartman re.
piled:
"Well it was rather staggeringg that
Ryan should have come into control
of the Equitable.
Fifteen minutes after this telephone
conversation Hartman went TO
Ryans Office where he discussed the
matter further At this interview
Ryan said his purpose in buying the
Hyde stock had be.n to make a name
for himself He said he had made
plenty of money but had never done
anything particular and saw in the
Equitable purchase the chance TO da
somath.ng fof the general public and
make a name for himself Ryan asked
his assistance i'm electng his nomlnc,
for chairman he said that while h'
was not q director Ryan thought h'
cOu,d Influence other directors an,
wanted his aid. Hartman said he dif
speak to one director in behalf OF Mr.
Morton.
Doubted Ryan's Motive.
Har-lman said he doubted Ryan's
motive was purely 20 help the COM
pany. and that he was acting unset
fshly and told him so.
Mr. Hughes asked why II he feared
Ryan's control of the society he had
been willing to speak for Mr.. Morton
Hartman answered that he thought
the matter over on his way to his
Office and decided Mr. Morton was a
good man to have at the head of the
Equitable and so was iwling to help
elect him. AT this interview he said
there was no mention made Of selling
him an interest in the Hyde stock OF
that anything was then said Of trustee
ing the stock.
Mr. Harriman's account Of what
happened at the interview on Monday
put a different view from his stand
point on what Mr. Ryan called his
threats
Hartman admitted that he had said
he would use his influence against
Ryan. but he denied it because oi
Ryan's refusal to sell him a share in
the Equitable stock
Hartman said he began the conver
sation by saying to Ryant "You wan
my cooperation. tell YOU what | vii
do I will take half of this stock of
your hands. / don't know how mucl
you paid for t, and ! don't care. I WI
take It, providing you will consent {,
the naming of two other trustees VIII,
win be absolutely independent
Ryan replied that he would not ac
lcept this offer. saying that Harrimai
had agreed that If he were convince,
by Ryan that the latter was acting
from pure motives he would agree Z,
assist him.
Mr.. Hartman said he was not SURE
what he might have said to Ryan II,
was in the habit of using al inhuenc,
he could bring TO bear in opposing
anything he objected to-
Mr.. Hughes asked If Hartman
doubted whether the men named a.
trustees, Grover Cleveland and Justic,
IOBrien and George Wcaringhous,
were not Independent. Hartman re
piled that any trustees named, as tn,
Ryan trustees were. by one man, wer,
apt to be more under the influence o
the man by whom they were named.