New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-10
MAYER LIKES REPORT.
Neu- York Life Nozo Looking tor
HamiltOn's Property.

Pending the decision OF the question of apply
ing for Andrew Hamilton's extradition should
he persist In remaining abroad. the New-York
Life has begun inquiry into the amount OK
property owned by him In this country.
and any attempt by Mr.. Hamilton to dispose
Of 1t win be frustrated.
1t was reported last night that Mr.. Hamilton
Is now under constant surveillance. The COM
pany's attitude toward him was strengthened
yesterday by Attorney General Mayer. who said
significantly:
The character OF the report of the Fowler
committee for thoroughness and candor Is most
encouraging and indicates the good faith OF that
committee
Have you arrived at any conclusion as to
poIiticaI contributions?' the Attorney General
was asked.
yes" replied Mr.. Mayer. after studying
the legal propositions involved, convinced
that the courts VIII hold that payment OF DO
ntical contributions was unauthorized and In
violation of law. / have no reason TO believe
that contrary view is entertained by the In
vestigating committees of the insurance COM
panies."
Does this also apply to legal expenses not
accounted for?" "Yes" said the Attorney Gen.
eral.
It is understood that the New-York Life Is
beginning suits in pursuance Of the Fowler re-
port.
The possibility Of the Attorney General begin
ming suit hinges on the practical result of the
companys impending action It Is known that
Mr. Mayer has confidence IN the Fowler commit
tea and its counsel None the less situation
may arise wherein Mr.. Mayer will ask the courts
to fix the liability Of directors for any moneys
not recovered in these suits. This, however. is
not expected yet.
g.
Hamilton yesterday summarizing the Fowler
committees report 1t is believed that UP TO last
night the opportunity was still open to Mr..
Hamilton to return TO this country Of his own
volition.
Friends of ex-President Mccall seem TO realize
that Mr.. McCalps further liability depends large
ly on Mr.. Hamitons accounting.
District Attorney Jerome departed yesterday
to spend the weekend at his country home at
Lakeville, Conn So far as could be learned. Mr..
Jerome before his departure neither asked nor
received a copy of the Fowler report
It Is not believed that Mr.. Hamilton has sufh-
Gent property here to Hquidate any Judgment
obtained against him in a civil suit The printed
report that any suit will be begun IN the French
courts against Mr.. Hamilton is dismissed as alb
surd
Despite the persistent revival of the runor Of
nittee. Charles A. Peabody. president OF the
company sent word by Charles H. Warren that
he had heard nothing Of any such trouble. He
added that the companys officials We're assisting
the committee IN every possible way.
Policyholders in the New-York Life are not
entitled to see the conpany's lists. according to
a decision, handed down yesterday by the Appel
late Division OF the Supreme Court, in the Ven
ner case.
The decision reverses the order OF Justice
Greenbaum. granting peremptory writ OF
mandamus compelling the company to permit
the inspection of its records so that C. H. Ven
ner and the other petitioners may obtain the
names and addresses Of the company's policy
holders. Justice Clarke. who writes the opinion,
says that the lower courts action In granting
the order improper. Justices Ingraham and
Laughlin concur. Justice Houghton dissents.
The following reference TO C. H. venner Is
made in the opinion:
1t is further alleged that the petitioner, Ven
ner, is VIGOROUSLY professional litigant and is
Well and widely known for acquiring small in
tecests to create controversies to obstruct the
contamination of important corporate transac-
lions. and there are incorporated extracts from
various judicial records and published opinions
of various States and federal courts tending to
establish that allegation.
Justice CIarkes opinion declares that there ia
no statute authorizing the inspection here de-
handed" The opinion declares that Mr. venner
is not stockholder and has not stockholders
rights.
The opinion adds that the company's card in
dex contains much information 10 which the
petitioner is not entitled, and that the possess
sion of the 900 names and addresses "might
be most valuable asset in INSCRIPTIONS hands"
TSTSr,