Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-30
INQUIRY WILL CONTINUE
1hcn the Grand Jurors viii Take
Up the Affairs Concerning
the New York Life
Company.

NEW YORK. May 3O-Plcading not
guilty to eighteen indictments for forgery
in the third degree and one of perjury
based on lis conduct as controller of the
Equitable Life Assurance Society. Thomas
J.. Jordan appeared before Judge Green
baum IN the criminal branch of the SUI
ITeme court yesterday morning. 1t was his
frst public appearance in this city since
September, 1893. when he disappeared so
that he might not be called before the
Armstrong investigating committee.
Following the proceedings in court
which were very brief. there was an init
matjon that District Attorney Jerome had
been Informed that Jordan would not be
adverse to telling him all he knew about
the transactions on which the indictments
against him We're founded.
1t has been believed by many conversant
with the affairs of the Equitable that Jor-
dan never violated the law of his own in
itiativc. but that in doing so. he acted on
The suggestions of his superiors. 1t was
for this reason that Charles +. Hughes, as
counsel to the Armstrong committee was
50 anxious to question him.
Many of these higher officers of the
Equitable are now out of the jurisdiction
of the courts OF this country, James Hazen
Hyde being in the Riviera. and James W.
Alexander. once president of the Equitable
being in India. Any revelations which
Jordan might care to make will be well
coined by the district attorney. and by
turning states evidence Jordan may save
himself to some extent.
Inquiry to Go On.
With the indictment of Jordan. the in
vcstgatiOn of the conduct of the Equitable
Is not ended. Another phase of its affairs
will be taken up by the special grand jury
for June. which viii be sworn in by Judge
Giegrrich, in the criminal branch of the
supreme court, next Monday This ended,
the Jurors Will consider more of the official
conduct of those who were in charge of the
New York Life Insurance Company, two
of whose officers. George W. Perkins and
Charles s. Fairchi.d. are already under in
diCtment.
Looking hale and rugged despite his sixty
two years. Jordan walked into Judge Green
baUm'S court, accompanied by his lawyer,
William s. Arnold of 12D Broadway. Lame
in leg, he linped TO the railing when
his case was called. He heavy win
ter OEerCOat, and he nerVously tuSsed at his
closely cropped. white mustache. In re-
spending Not guilty to the charges, the
lawyer reserved the privilege of withdraw
Ing this plea and making any motions that
seemed necessary. When Judge Greenbaum
asked how long the lawyer desired in which
10 make these motions. Mr.. Jerome sug
PCstel that tie date might be the opening
of the October term of the criminal branch
o. the supreme court.
Wanted $4,000 Bail.
Judge Greenbaum asked Mr.. Jerome what
amount of bail he would desire, and the
district attorney said he thought it should
be- $1,000 on one Indictment. There was
no opposition To this, and Jordan and his
lawyer left for the bail-bOnd department,
where Eugene Clifford Potter qualified as
honisman. giving as security property in
125tb street and broadway Before leaving
the building Jordan declined to make any
statement but his lawyer said 1t was
ridiculous to say his client had been dodg-
ing subpOenas for two years. He added
that except for one month. when Jordan
and his wife went away on a vacation. but
not because he was a fugitive. he had been
I'm his home in Englewood. n. J.. and that
lie had been in this city on several occa-
SiOns
Basis of Charge.
on new evidence, which was not disclosed
before the Armstrong committee some of