The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1905-02-24

First, as the best driver of a four
INLAND coach in the country: Sec
ondly, as the leading exponent of
the French language and literature
in America; thirdly, as the leader
of the bachelor set in New York.
Only in his recent row with the
Equitable Assurance society has
the business ability of the remark
able young man become known.
Hyde is the son of Henry B.
Hyde, founder of the society. 1t
was the fathers dream that his
Son Should Succeed Him
at the head of the, great institu-
ton. But when Hyde pere died,
the son was too young. The father
realized this on his death bed. He
held 63 per cent of the stock, SO
he provided that this must always
be voted as unit during his child
ren's life. This assured them con-
troll of the company. Next he ar
ranged that Jas. w. Alexander
should be president of the society
until Jas. H. Hyde became old
enough to assume the reins. Alex
ander was to be president-regent,
as it were, and young Hyde was
chosen first vice president
By a strange coincidence, the
Alexander family originally be-
came connected with the Equitable
much as Jas. w. Alexander became
president of it. Henry B. Hyde
was but % when he founded the
society, so he was too young for
the presidency. w. G. Alexander.
father of the present president,
was chosen as a figurehead. Later,
Hyde became president. This sug-
gested to him the idea of a regency
for his son.
James Hyde was born in New
York in 1876. In early youth he
was taken to Paris. ell became
infatuated with things Partisan,
and this infatuation affects, even
yet. his speech, manner, dress and
customs.
In the world of sports, he stands
pre-eminent as a whip. AS a close
friend of Alfred G. Vanderbilt. he
has given many exhibitions of tool
ing with the young millionaire.
Hyde's love for things French
won him the cross of the Legion
of Honor. Everything he wears is
made in France. His home is fur
nished from France. He has
Established French Clubs
ou1 lihropia, oil Ovar tho cnuntry
He has promoted the tours of
French lecturers. He has paid the
expenses of French students at
American universities to promote
the correct pronunciation Of
French. He patronizes everything
French brought to his attention,
and even his beard Is the French
lest thing in New York. He is
president Of the Federation lAlli-
ance Franchise.
But he has not cultivated the
fieur de lis at the expense of other
things. He Is a graduate of Har-
ward and has travelled extensively.
After the marriage of Harry Lehr,
he became the bachelor idol of the
smart set and Is the best catch"
in the matrimonial market. Ru-
NOR has engaged him to every
young woman of prominence In
this country and some of them in
Europe. The latest selection was
Miss Alice Roosevelt.
Hyde has political aspirations,
and his close friends know that it
is the dream of his life to become
Ambassador to France.
He realizes that he Is too young
for that now.
The Hyde holdings in the Equit-
able, worth originally only $4,000,
are held now at $7.000.000. He has
been offered $5,000,000 for them.
Besides, he now owns much other
valuable stock, and is director in
40 big corporations, among others.
the Western Union. His home Is
.ss.i ~. vs1.- xacAhro5r u " i.s@a Man.
sion In Paris.
Hyde got along with the Alexan-
der forces until he showed symp-
toms of wanting to become presi-
dent of the Equitable. Then a
scheme to get him out was sought.
The Alexanders and other big
stockholders believe, or claim to
believe. at least, that a man of
Hyde's extravagant habits and
ultra social tendencies; a man who