The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-28
TEST The LAW WITH PERKINS.
JEROME'S WAY TO FIND IF CAM.
PAIGN GIFT WAS LARCENY.

Warrant Probably to Re Applied For This
Morning. Arrest Made and writ Of
Habeas Corpus Observation-Disclosures Com.
mittee Authorized 8AS 600 Payment.
Unless there should be some change In
the plans Of District Attorney jerome
George W. Perkins will be arraigned before
Magistrate Moss in the Tombs police court
this morning on a charge Of larceny. The
charge will be based on his testimony be-
fore the Armstrong committee that while
he was vice-president Of the New York
Life Insurance Company In 1904 he paid
$4s. 7o2.5o to Cornelius N. Bliss, then trOas-
urer of the Republican national campaign
committee, as a political contribution and
that he was reimbursed by the company.
No warrant was issued for Mr.. Perkins
yesterday. nor for any one else connected
with the insurance investigation, despite
many conflicting reports. 1t Is understood
that Mr.. Perkins has been notified to be In
court this morning and that he has prom
ised to be there. A warrant will be issued
by the Magistrate and formally served
on Mr.. Perkins. According to the present
plan it is expected that Mr.. Perkins win
waive examination and there will be nothing
for the Magistrate to do but hold him.
1t was not learned who would represent
Mr. Perkins in court. 1t was minated that
William Rand, Jr., formerly Mr.. Jerome's
chief Of staff, might be his counsel. In any
event a writ Of habeas corpus will be sworn
out, and the question whether the act al
legged is larceny will then be taken immedi-
ately to the Appellate Division. II was
said yesterday that the Appellate Division
could hand down its decision next month.
as the case would get on the April calen-
dar.
Mr.. Jerome spent most OF yesterday
preparing the case to be presented TO Mag
istrate Moss to-day. In the morning he
had a conference with Magistrate Moss
and pretty soon Darwin P. Kingsley, a
vioe-president OF the New York Life, and
Edmund d. Randolph, treasurer of the
company, appeared at the District Attor-
ney's Office. Mr.. Kingsley carried a big
book wrapped in paper.
They we're Immediately taken to Mr..
Jerome's Office. Assistant District Attor-
ney Kresel and a stenographer were present.
A ~bookkeeper employed by the New York
Life was also sent for. He identified Mr..
Perkins, signature.
1t is understood tina Mr.. Jerome ques-
toned Mr.. Kingsley about the RESPONSE
bihty Of the members of the nance COM
mittee for the payment OF the s4s, 900 to Mr..
Perkins. Mr.. Kingsley was the secretary
of the committee when the payment was
made. 1t was asoertained on pretty good
authority that in his deposition Mr.. Kings
ley gave the names Of the members Of the
nance committee and said that at an in
formal meeting of the committee, at which
MIR. Perkins was present, the payment Of
the money to Perkins was authorized. II
that is so it is the first official acknowl-
edgment that the members Of the finance
committee were equally responsible with
John A. Mccall for the payment of the
money, although Mr.. Mccall before the
Armstrong committee assumed the entire
responsibility.
From what could be learned yesterday
the meeting at which the payment was
authorized was purely informal, and no
record was made in the minute book. 1t
was also stated that some record OF the
company would show what the money
was used for. The members Of the finance
committee in 1904 we're Alexander E. Orr,
John S. Kennedy, John Clafin, Woodbury.
Langdon, Edmund NJ. Randolph and George
w. Perkins.
Mr.. Randolph was probably questioned
by Mr.. Jerome yesterday about the pay
ment of the check to Mr.. Perkins. When
he and Mr.. Kingsley had made their state
ments they left the building, to return
in about an hour, Mr.. Kingsley modified
the phraseology of his statement some
what. Then both Mr.. Kingsley and Mr..
Randolph went before Magistrate Moss
and swore to their statements.
District Attorney Jerome declined TO
say anything about what had been done,
and would not even intimate what would
happen to-day. 1t is understood, however.
that Mr.. Perkins will be in the Tombs police
court about 10 o'clock this morning.
1t was made very apparent yesterday
that the insurance question has made a
very wide breach between Mr.. Jerome and
Judge O'Sullivan Of General Sessions.
1t had been stated early in the day that
Judge O'Sullivan would have something
additional to say to the Grand Jury, sup
plementing his advice of Friday and Mon
day. About noon the Grand Jury sent
for Mr.. Jerome. He had gone out to lunch
but was caught at a nearby restaurant
and he returned at once. When the Grand
Jury filed into Judge O'Sullivan's court,
at 1 o'clock, Mr.. Jerome was on hand.
Foreman Van Volkenburgh handed up a
bunch Of indictments, and Judge O'Sullivan
said,
You may continue with your delibera-
tons, gentlemen"
There is one matter to which I would
hike to call your Honor's attention. began
Mr.. Jerome. getting to his feet.
This need not necessarily detain you
gentlemen, 4" said Judge O'Sullivan, prao-
tically ignoring Mr.. Jerome. you may
for the performance Of your duty"
The Grand Jury marched out slowly.
Mr.. jerome waited until the last juror had
Il find" said Mr.. Jerome, coolly, that
the members OF the Grand Jury have re-
ceived pretty generally through the Vest
Union the following telegram: