Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-11-16
CIV, ODELL GOT
VERY DRAMATIC.
Exclaimed, "There is no Truth in
That, so Help Me
Cod"
He NEVER MADE ANY THREAT.
Directly or Indirectly to Have
Charter Of Mercantile Trust
Company Revoked.
But He Knew of Introduction of BIZ
In New York Legislature for
That Purpose.

New York. Nov. 16.-Former Gov.
Odell went on the stand In the insur-
ance investigation today.
Mr.. Odell denied he had ever. direct
~ or indirectly, threatened to have the
charter Of the Mercantile Trust COM
pany revoked Mr. Odell when asked
il the Mercantile Trust company char
ter was threatened. dramatically ex-
Claimed there Is no truth in that so
help ne God
PROCEEDINGS IN DETAIL.
New York. Nov. i6.--B. h. Odell. Jr.,
former governor Of New York and AZ
present chairman of the state Repub-
lean committee, was the first witness
before The insurance investigating
committee today. Before his testimony
was begun, Samuel Untermyer counsel
for James II. Hyde, entered an objec-
ton protesting against the nyestiga-
ton Of the affairs OF the United states
company by the committee.
Mr.. Hughes. counsel to the commit
tee began by asking Mr. Odcn to tell
the facts pertaining to the Mercantile
Trust company charter and the wit
ness said he would prefer to tell of the
whole transaction leading up 70 the
settlement If permitted. Mr.. Inter
mver protested that If the committee
permitted this it would take them far
outside the legitimate line OF inquiry.
Senator Armstrong referred the protest
10 MIR. Hughes. who said he would call
10 Mr., OdelPs attention THE fact that
the matter which concerns the COM
mittee Is simply the question whether
there was any political influence or
pressure brought to bear upon the Mer-
camille Trust company, directly or M
directly, to induce n settlement.
There was not said Mr.. Odell,
win YOU state, governor snld Mr..
Hughes, whether you had any nfor-
nation with regard to the introduction
NJ bill In the senate for the purpose
AZ repeating the charter Of the Mer-
camille Trust company?
KNEW OF THE BILL
II knew of it at the time, yes
who advised you of it,
Il knew OF IL before its Introduction.
From whom did you get the infor-
mation?'
"Oh, various people as to the propri-
ETY. Of the Introduction vi such meas-
ure.' ,
Did you suggest its introduction?
Mo-
Did You request its introduction
Il saw no objection 10 it.
Did you state that you saw no op-
lection 10 the introduction OF the meas
ure?'
AT the time It was did, yes.
ITO whom
ooh. to any one who asked me-
have forgotten.
What was the ground for that ac'
tion or APPROVAL
Simply because the scandal incl
dent TO the shipOuildlng trust was up
permost in the peoples mind ana y
was claimed that the Mercantile lrus'
company mad been behind 10 or 10 cor
pcrations, every one of them had Deer
,nsolvent. and it was time, | though
such matters In the state of New 1orf
should be stopped
SENATOR DEEPEN ENTERS
While Mr.. Odell was testifying Seha
tor Depew entered the room.
Continuing, Mr.. Odell said the OH
was intended TO provide for an inves
,lgation of the Mercantile Trust com
panv. He could not recall That ne ma,
an interview with Assemblyman tlsI
with regard to the introduction In IN
assembly of a bill similar TO senate
hmbler's repeal bill. His only inter
view with Senator Amber about IN
hill was after It had been introduced
Al that time he had no suit pendln
against the Mercantile Trust company
His suit was brought In August l'V'
When the bill was introduced In Marcl
ig0l the witness said, he stu had ever
dollars worth OF his shipbuilding holo
ings. These holdings were sold az nug
ton and brought $43,6S1 against Slof,l'
paid for them Since their sale wines
had had no interest In the shlpOulluin'
cornpany The sale was made becaus
he felt that there would be matters .
legislation come UP affecting snlpoui'u
ing affairs and he felt that the soNe' nv ~
should not be interested dlrectly Vl ~
directly In the bonds. lie collteilPla'e
bringing an action against the NE 01 NJ
tile Trust company In August lsoi' II
had no interview with j. =. Morgan re
pardinr his shipbuilding claim, out OIL
have with Charles NJ Schwab' nus u
terylew with Mr.. Schwab was wheI W
company was In the hands of receive
"Did YOU make any statement !" ahS
body In the city of New YORK that I,
H.. asst
taliatory measures of any kind "ou'
be taken?" asked Mr. Hughes
Never" a.
That any measures threatening u
Mercantile Trust company or any on
else would be taken II your claim wa
not settled?"
Never"
He never made any such statemer
TO Mr.. Hartman nor did he ever nay
any interview with Mr.. Hartman
which II was suggested that Harrlma
should use his influence 10 procure
settlement OF witness claim against VI
Mercantile Trust company
Then" said Mr.. Hughes, i uiluel
stand your testimony Is that you new
directly or indirectly used any thIe'
10 procure a settlement OF that SUIT
HE NEVER THREATENED,
mo, SIR"
Was the legislation which was pro
posed by Senator Amber In any wa
a topic OF conversation when the Sc
Element OF your suit came UNI
Never, excepting--yes, when | iad
talk with Mr.. Hyde he spoke OF It an
told him no matter what the outcon
OF our settlement might be- whether
should go into the courts, or the ca'
should be settled by the Mercaiu
Trust company, that there was no lea
of retaiatory legislation"
Had anything occurred 10 ehahs