Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1905-07-17

tional disclosure in the episode Of the
"Union Pacific preferred DEAL" which
threatened to drag Hartman and his
coterie before the public and perhaps
into the courts, the investigation was
abruptly terminated.
Harriman's Chain OF influence.
Hartman controls B. B. odell, ex.
governor, and Odell, as chairman of
the Republican state committee, die
tates to Governor Higgins. Higgins,
in turn, exerts pressure on Hendricks,
the state superintendent Of insurance,
chain Of influence that made the
Hendricks report a practical white
wash, with the name Of Hartman care
fully suppressed.
The first inquiry, made by the H. G..
Frick committee, resulted in suppress
sion as far as Hartman was concerned.
The report went into petty graft. The
disclosures were sensational enough at
the time, but subsequent developments
indicate that the Frick committee, in.
stead Of trying to dive to the bottom
Of the morass, simply sought to gloss
matters over by exhibiting choice lot
Of minor irregularities. Whyi Frick,
uultimillionaire though he is, is sub
servient to Hartman, and 50 not the
slightest reference was made 10 Har-
riman's juggling with millions Of the
Equitable's funds.
Hendricks Suppresses Worst.
The suppressions in the Hendricks
report show the phenomenal influence
Hartman, through Odell and Higgins,
oxerts on the state insurance superin-
tendent. The report made no mention
of Hartman g deals, yet the testimony
tells of stock speculations with Equit-
able money; Of the diversion and di-
vision Of between $15,000,000 and $780,
100000 in the last three years. of
CSC, 100000 Union Pacific blind pool,
which is directly traced TO Hartman
by the testimony Of James II. Hyde.
The report even ran the smoothing iron
over the revelations concerning Sena-
tor Depew.
With these facts generally known to
the public Of New York state, the de.
mand for a legislative investigation has
become well-nigh irresistible. Fifty.
three members Of the state assembly,
now in extraordinary session, have de-
,lared for an investigation, and 33 be-
ing opposed.
People Demand Investigation.
Still, Governor Higgins hesitates and |
'efrains from asking for the investi. |
cation which would result in articulat.
ng Equitable" skeletons and supply, |
ng the knowledge necessary TO the |
lrafting Of a statute to remedy exist
ng evils. 0dell seems TO have surren.
lered to popular clamor. He is now
the movement for legis
Shrewd bankers and |
politicians surmise, however, that he
las IN understanding with Higgins
whereby his change Of front is not TO
Ieet the attitude of tho state execu.
i've.
Hendricks stopped short the moment |
he trail Of corruption led TO Harri- |
mans $5O,OOO,OOO syndicate in Union
Pacific preferred, since the publication
# the evidence showing what nam
moth proportions the disclosure might |
assume, IL this trail had been followed |
,y District Attorney Jerome the latter
ias made futile efforts TO get trans
,ript of the evidence. jerome wants
20 take the matter to the grand jury,
out thus far he has been blocked by |
he refusal Of the state authorities to
land over the necessary transcript.
Higgins WIN Not Bulge.
Higgins refuses to bulge an inch. He
las been intrenched in his position by
he appointment Of Collector of the
Port Stranahan as director in the
Equitable by the Ryan trustees. stran-
.han is member OF the governor s
Sitehen cabinet. His advice has ear
led weight with the governor, and at
his time, il is pointed out, any drastic |
M u * siznaRlIa nAzn