New-York tribune., 1906-05-08
INSURANCE KNIFE OUT
JURY BEGINS OPER4TION.
Untermger to Aid Jerome in Perkins
Case.

Case.
Investigation OF the insurance companies TO
learn whether or not any OF their officers or
Representatives have done anything which rem
ders them liable 20 criminal prosecution was
begun by the special grand jury empanelled be-
| fore Justice Scott in the criminal branch OF the
| Supreme Court yesterday.
The Mutual Life IS first on the list. District
Attorney Jerome announced that John b. Stancn-
! field, retained as special counsel by Andrew Z.
Fields. who handled the legislative funds OF the
Mutual Life, had sent word that Fields would
appear as a willing witness whenever his physi-
cal condition would permit.
Another announcement Of interest was that
Samuel Untermyer, counsel OF the international
PolicyhOlders' Association, would be associated
with the District Attorney in opposing the ap-
peal from the decision OF Justice Greenbaum III
the Perkins before the Appellate DIVISION
to-day Lewis L. Delaheld and ex-Justice
Cohen representing George w. Perkins, former
vice-president of the New York Life, charged
with larceny in having paid campaign contribu-
tions out OF the funds of the company, will argue
that Justice Greenbaum was wrong in dismiss
ing the habeas, corpus writ, on the ground that
such campaign contributions were. prina facie,
grand larceny, and the specific act should be
passed upon by the grand jury. The connection
Of Mr. Untermyer on the side Of the prosecution
count Of the special study he has given to the
insurance cases.
II is said that the contributions of the Equita-
Bile Life which came from its yellow dog
fund standing in the names Of President Alex
ander and Thomas D. Jordan, will not be IN
vestigated because the money was repaid to the
company from the private funds of these men
and of James Hazen Hyde
Isaac F. Lloyd, third vice-president OF the
Mutual Life, and Edgar FW. Rodgers, manager
Of the stationery Arm of Iysander w. Lawrence
& Co., which did all of the printing for the
conpany. were the only witnesses examined by
the grand jury before it adjourned until to-
morrow. Among those who, answered subpoenas
and win be examined later were William Car
penter. who had charge of the fanOuse House
Of MIrth" in Albany and Wallace Babcock and
Harry Epps of the supply department of the
Mutual. The District Attorney will name a
physician to examine Mr.. Fields at his summer
home in Ocean Grove N. J. If the physician
decides that Mr. Fields stand the strain Of
a grand jury inquistion the latter win respond
to a subpoena.
Henry L. Joyce, a lighterage contractor, of No
lab Liberty street. was selected as foreman of
the special grand jury. His associates are
Charles I Berg, architect, No 571 Fifth avenue;
Albert Behning, insurance broker. No. 129 West
125th street: Louis Goldsmith, silks, No 53
Greene street: Philip Hano, books, No. S06 Green
wich street; Ezekiel Williams, retired, No. 60
West SOD street: Samuel JOsephs. retired, No
III Lenox avenue: William S. N1alO, real estate
No. 40 Nassau street; Isaac Strauss, cOrsets, No
434 Broadway; George C. Penneli. vice-president,
No. 20 Beekman street; Moses ]. Mendel, mems
furnishings. No. 242 Grand street; Edward c.
Bodman. grain merchant. No. 401 Produce Ex-
change; Arthur Lincoln broker. No. 90 Wall
street; William H. Caldwell. real estate, No. 217
| West 125th street; John ]. Lapham, banker, No
| 8 Bridge street; John B. Finn, desks. No. 81
Centre street; John H. Walker, paper, No. 16
Reade street. Max Rutteneau, merchant. No. 10
Whitehall street: Leopold Wormser. No. West
! list street; Louis W Morrison. real estate, No
! % Broad street; Frank Brainerd, merchant
! Produce Exchange; Samuel S. Stewart retired
| No. 3S3 West End avenue; John c. Klatze. real
! estate, No. 45 West SD street.
! George D. Eldridge, vice-president of the
| Mutual Reserve, who is under Indictment on ac-
! count of certain acts in connection with his
company, was on the special jury panel. but was
excused at the request of the District Attorney
/ Four of seventeen members Of the panel who
! presented excuses were excused by Justice Scott
Ten of those not excused were afterward
drawn Thomas ]. HaverweI was excused for
legal cause after he had been drawn.
Justice Scott in his address, which was mildly
worded, said In part
Your attention will be called 70 a series Of
1 alleged crimes which have occasioned much dis
cussion in the public press and in various fnan-
cial circles A legislative investigation has been
had into this subject. So far. the Legislature
| has passed laws remedying, far as it can, all
past mistakes. Your duty is to inquire If any
crime has been committed under the law as 1t
| stood before the legislative action
IN that investigation you will have the active
| and energetic assistance OF the District Attor-
ney and you entitled at all times 20 call
upon him for assistance and advice. charge
you TO use great care and diligence and absolute
fearlessness and personal impartality in the
| investigation of this subject. You are not to be
/ swayed by suspicion clamor in any Of your
| work An indictment by the grand jury is
merely an accusation Of a, crime, but an accusa-
ton by the grand jury is very serious matter
to some people.
Judge Foster, in swearing in the regular May
grand jury. said:
It is your good fortune and doubtless the good
fortune of the people OF this community that
/ simultaneously with your services there is
/ special grand jury in session. When the man
/ holes We're removed from the sewers OF insur-
ance and the mass Of corruption, If not Of crime,
that existed under the name Of insurance was
exposed, it felt that there ought TO be
drastic and thorough investigation, and so there
has been ordered a special grand jury. whose
entire time may be given to the investigation OF
this very important matter.