The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-12-15

New York. December 12.-Thomas
F. Ryan today appeared before the
insurance investigating committee and
told what E. Il. Hartman did and
threatened to do when he demand
ed that Mr.. Ry.;n concede to him a
share in the control of the Equitable
Life Assurance Society last June. Mr..
Ryan assured the committee thar he
had meant no disTespect by his for
mel refusal to disclose their conver-
%sations, and sala that he had deter
mined to answer the questions tC
which he had refused replies on Fri
day last because District Attorney Je-
rome said ne ought to do SO.
Mr.. Ryan's version of what Mr.. Har-
riman demanded, and what he threat
ened to do upon the refusal of his
demands. was, IN substance, as fol-
lows:
THAT Hartman demanded one half
of the SOP shares Of the stock of The
Equitable Life Assurance Society
which Nj. Ryan had purchased from
James H. Hyde, and which gave Mr..
Ryan control Oh the property.
THAT Hartman threatened unless
he was conceded this share in the
control Of the society, to exert his po-
litical and all other influences against
Mr.. Ryan and mis- project; that Ha--
riman declared there probably would
be Legislative action and that in that
event his influence would be important
That Hartman demanded the right to
name two of five trustees to vote The
controlling stock in he election OF ci-
rectors Of the aociaty.'
In reply to repeated questions by
Charles E. Hughes counsel Of the COM
mittee, Mr.. Ryan stated that Mr.. Iar-
riman did not threaten that there
! should be restrictive legislative action
unless he was given a share III the
Equitable control but said there prob
ably would be such action. Neither
did Mr.. Hartman threaten any acton
by an officer Of the government It
| was a strenuous interview, Mr.. Ryan
said, and was held III the presence OF
| Elihu Root, then Mr.. Ryan's counsel,
| now secretary Of state. n Paul ID
| Cravath, also Mr.. Ryan's counsel. Mr..
| RYAN told the committee that he drew
| the inference from it that Mr.. Harrl-
man did not want anybody to control
the Equitable Society unless he had a
| share in it. Mr.. Ryan also stated thai
he paid no attention TO Mr.. Hartmann
| statement that lis influence wOuld be
important in the event OF Legislation
and informed him hat he wanted 10
partners in the enterprise. Mr.. Harr1-
man did not get the coveted share III
the stock.
Mr.. Ryan declared that this in-er-
| x;~r- +oNiy rlaon within, q faU DAYS 9f-
ter he got control of the Hyde stock.
United States Senator John F. DIV
den. Of New Jersey, president of rhe
Prudential Life Insurance Company
of America. was on the witness stand
all the remainde: of the day. He te5tl-
fed that his company contributed to-
ward the Republican campaign u II
in 1896. He also testified that $500
had been given Andrew Hamilton for
merlv of the New York Life Insurance
| Company, their legislative agent at AL
bany.
No was paid to A. c. Fields
who maintained q house at Albany.
Since 1896 tire Prudential has pald
to the Metropolitan Insurance Compa-
ny as a share of legislative expenses
| the sum of $24,540.
| Inc senator Sd1u dh Ills tohIpoh' =
legal expenses were fair. open an
| above board and honest and the conf
! pam never spent Il dishonest dollar on
legislation. Il have heard a great deal
about corruption said Senator ory'
| den. 'but 1 never found it necessary
| Never to the extent of n dollar Gid
| my company contribute to any corrup-
| ton funds.
Senator Dryden said that in 1905
/ Thomas N. McArter, then attorney
| general of the state of New sey was
paid s27. 800 by the Prudential for leSii
+, services. Senator Dryden explained
| that under the laws of New Jersey a
public official of that state is at liberty
70 engage in private business while
holding Office.
Mr.. Dryden said his salary as pres
| ,dent was S65, 900 a yea~. His son, o
, est DRYDEN. received $4,000 a year as
third vice president.
r,- Eoroa Tpaaty Declared Mill ana