The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-16

was not so strenuous an interview. It lasted only fifteen minutes"
 Did you refer to legislative action or say anything about the legislature?'
 ''I do not recall any such thing nor that I would do anything to induce legislation. I can't deny positively that I did. I don't know that it would have been i'm proper Everybody knew that there would be legislation on the matter. If I recol- feet 1t I would be perfectly willing to tell it.
 Did you take any steps to thwart his plans?"
 Not yet. I had no conversation with Governor Odell about the advisablity of a legislative investigation or about any kind of legislation whatever. knew noth- ing about this investigation whatever"
 MT. Hartman said he Is in politics and has some political influence and he did not consider 1t improper if he did use his political influence against Ryan.
 Nothing improper in Ryan's conduct of the Equitable has yet come to my attention" he said, "and I have had time to my attention I should have acted"
 What is your political infiuence?"
 "It Is such as any man of prominence has who has never asked anyone to do anything improper. I have great interests in New York and am often consulted"
 MT Hughes asked how he was con- suited.
 Influence Through Odell
 q had to do with preventing bills from being introduced in the legislature by one faction in the Equitable to get con- trol of the society,"
 'Tt has been charged that through your relation with MT Odell. you had political influence What would you say to that?' asked MT. Hughes.
 Well, I should think MT. Odell had political influence because of his relation with me-" replied MT. Hartman. Oaugh- ter)
 Later MT. Hartman said to the Asso- ciated Press that the above remark was meant in jocular sense.
 Later in his testimony. Mir. Hartman returned to the subject of Former Gov ernor Odell and political influence and said:
 MT Hughes, you spoke about Governor Odell. and my having political influence because of my relations or affiliations with him. I would like to say that all last spring during the Equitable contro- yersy between its inside factions, that Governor Odell was not here. nor was he communicated with about it, so he had no hand in 1t whatever"
 And during that period were you in consultation with members of the leg islature?' asked MT. Hughes.
 Not specially"
 s'In regard to insurance matters?"
 q had the matter watched at Albany to see what attempts were being used to use the legislature improperly"
 When you refer to the possession of in- fuence in your relations. do you mean because of the many important matters in which you are interested for which you stand?"
 ''Yes. in many ways.
 Haven't you in the prominent position referred to a great many subjects that come up before the legislature?'
 "I have no special interest in many matters that come before the legisla- ture."
 Well. was referring to matters referr- ing to railroads. banks and trust com panies'
 NO, never had any hand in that"
 Well, don't just understand what you meant by political influence through relation to you said MT. Hughes.
 Any common citizen has some political influence" said the witness. and If any
 (ContinIad an Sacond Pao0l