Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-03-28
PERKINS A SCAPEGOAT
Former New York Life Vice
President Arrested.
HABEAS CORPUS GRANTED
Latest Phase of the Insurance Investi-
cation.
GRAND LARCENY IS CHARGED
Case Will Be Carried to the Supreme
Court-Sequel to Political
Contributions.
GRAND LARCENY IS CHARGED

and formerly vice president OF the
New York Life Insurance Com
pany, was technically placed under
arrest in New York today in the
proceedings which District Attor-
ney Jerome has begun to test the
legality of political contributions
by insurance companies.
The warrant was issuJl upon
information presented to Police
Magistrate Moss, and the allega-
ton upon which it was issued was
based on the transfer of $48,7o2 of
the funds of the New York Life
Insurance Company to Cornelius
n. Bliss, treasurer of the republi-
can national committee in 1904, in
which it is charged that Mr.. Per-
kins received the money from the
insurance company and paid it over
to Mr. Bliss.
NEW YORK, March 2S.-District Attor-
ney Jerome held conferences today with
Police Magistrate Moss and Justice Bowling
of the supreme court, at which il was re-
ported that the district attorney secured
either a warrant for the arrest of a promi-
nent official of one of the big life insurance
companies a summons for him to ap-
pear in John Doe proceedings.
The action is based ON the evidence
showing political contributions by officers
of the life insurance companies.
George w. Perkins formerly vice presi-
dent Of the New York Life Insurance Com
pany today was arrested on a warrant
charging grand larceny in the first degree.
The warrant was issued by Magistrate Jo-
seph Moss. Before he was arraigned his
counsel applied to Justice Greenbaum. in
the supreme court. for writ OF habeas
corpus, directing the production of Mr.
Perkins before Justice Greenbaum. The
writ was granted.
Case to the Supreme Court.
This proceeding takes the case from the
jurisdiction Of the magistrate and carries
1t directly TO the supreme court which,
however is not the highest court in the
state, there being an appellate division and
a court of appeals still higher. to which
the case might be appealed.
Mr. Perkins was arrested by a detectiVe
from the office of the district attorney.
When Magistrate Moss adjourned his court
al noon he said ne was waiting for Mr..
Perkins TO De brought before that court,
but he had not appeared
In the petition In which Mr.. Perkins
asked for writ Of habeas corpus he de-
clard that he is Imprisoned and restrained
of his liberty by the detective and that he
Is not committed 10y Judgment of any trlbu-
ual.
Mr.. Perkins Petition
Ia his petition Mr.. Perkins declared also
that his Imprisonment and restraint are
Illegal, and that the warrant is void In that
no evidence of any crime or act justifying
his arrest had been submitted to Magis-
trate Moss, and that the magistrate was
without Jurisdiction TO issue the warrant.
Appended 10 the petition is a copy OF the
warrant issued Toy Magistrate Moss which
sets forth That upon information made be
fore him today 'Oue George W. Perkins did
commit the crime of grand larceny in its
first degree.
Date of the Warrant
The date named in the warrant IS the date
Of -ue transaction brought out in the Arm
strong Investigation. IN which Air. Perkins
was reimbursed from the funds of the New
York Life Insurance Company for the pay
meut Of S3>,5"2 TO the republican national
committee as the contribution of the New
YORK Lie to the republican presidential
campaign fund I'm 1904.
Mr. Perkins was arrested In the Office OF
his counsel Lewis J.. belatitld
Il was reported later that when Justice
ttceubIum issued the WTit of habeas corpus
fer Mr. Perkins tt was sent 10 District At
toIuey Jerome and taken by him to Magis-
tfdte Moss. who signed &c. thoreuuou trans
ltrring Ae case 10 the supreme court
IL was expected that District Attorney Je-
rome would appear before Justice Green
baum tE!s afternoon for an argument GA
the wit of haUeds corpus.