New-York tribune., 1905-08-16
STILL SEEK MIR. CH0ATE.
Insurance Investigation Committee
Homes He viii Be Adpser.

Senator W. W. Armstrong, the chairman or the
legislative insurance investigation committee.
IS TO call on Joseph II Choate TO seek to induce
the ex-Ambassador to the Court Of St James to
act as advisory counsel to the committee. While
friends Of Mr.. Choate have expressed the pehet
that he will not accept, and declare that MT
Choste has so asserted. the majority or the COM
mttee still hopeful
Senator Armstrong, a Tribune reporter learned
yesterday. purposed call Mr.. Choate AT
Woodbridge. Mass, Monday. but received word
that Mr. Choate had gone from that place
That EQUITABLE men and affairs will he early. II
not first in the examination received apparent sf-
frmation from James McKeen's statement that
there are some things In the Equitable which
challenge immediate attention"
II is entirely probable that the investigation
will open with the examination at the
sion OF various companies having common features
such methods OF investment auxiliary concerns,
syndicate operations. and so forth. This Will en-
able the COMMITTEES probe simultaneously many
OF those Equitable methods which were arraigned
so severely in the Frick and Hendricks reports.
Superintendent Hendricks has promised the COM
mtee the hear;iest support OF his Office. The COM
mitteo's counsel pointed out yesterday that the
scope of the insurance investigation "aS neces-
sarily limited II seems entirely likely that the
committee viii summon F. II. Hartman TO testify,
the committee clothed with such power, ahd
he fact that MI Hartman is no longer director
will have weight here.
Speaking of Mr.. Choate Mr.. McKeen said; 1
nave no ofIlclaI information on ln6 SuDJeCI pub
understand that Mr. Choate has expressed the
opinion that he cannot afford 10 interrupt his vaca-
ton 10 act for the committee. much his in
clination would tempt him to do so. So far
know. however there has been change in the
situation since Senator Armstrong announced that
the committee was still hopeful of obtaining Mr.
Choates services"
When Senator Riordon one Of the members OF
the COMMITTEES. was asked what he knew of Mr.
Choates attitude he said: II have been OF the
opinion all along that Mr.. Choate would find It
inconvenient TO accept our offer. and it does not
surprise me TO hear that he has declined it, II
Charles f. Hughes arrives early next week as
expected the actual sittings Of the committee will
begin. it is said. next Monday week. either at the
Criminal Courts Building or at the Aldermanc
chamber in the City Hall. Mr.. McKeen said he
should take initiative until Mr.. Hughess
arrival
Speaking of the scope Of the committees work.
Senator Riordon said: The talk about beginning
the investigation with the New-York Life Insur-
ancs Company is somewhat premature at this
stage. The question has been more than nfor-
maIly discussed by the committee. Speaking for
myself. 1 strongly of opinion that the proper
way 10 begin our investigation is to go into the
Equitable Society first. The Equitable is primarily
responsible for the existence of this committee.
The public is well aware through the public
the Eouitabie and the people are anxious to have
the fullest light thrown upon all Equitable affairs.
We have certain data about the Equitable, both
have not about any other life insurance companies
We are in position to act upon those reports
groundwork for investigation. AS in
stance there are the james II. Hyde and Asso-
ciates syndcates, the Kuhn. Loeb transactions
and the dealings OF the Equitable with its sub
sidiatY companies. All of these will he gone into
thoroughly.
Ny idea is to bring witnesses on the stand who
can tell about these transactions in regard to the
Equitable. Then. after shall have exhausted
our scope in regard TO the Equitable we shall be
in position to cite these other companies and ask
them II they have had such dealings have
found in the Equitable.
Our knowledge OF what was done in the Equta-
BILE will bs for investigating the other
panes properly.
It is the opinion Of certain members Of the
nittee that should il fail obtain Mr.. Choates
services no further effort will be made 20 obtain
lawyer Of great reputation but that Messrs.
Hughes and McKeen will select such assistants
they deem fit. Senator Armstrong is expected back
in town to-day.
In speaking Of the stenographic work contract
committeeman said last night
The New-York Law Reporting Company has made
Very low offer and ! do not how
afford 10 turn It down and give the contract to an
other concern at much higher rate. 1t certainly
would not be economy for to pay about
5000 for sterographc work to favored persons
when get II done for few hundreds.