New-York tribune., 1910-03-22
WITNESS in A TRAP
HOTCHKISS SPRINGS
LETTER ON CORREA.

AAOHt aHoN' tieNC - ~ '''' .
Statement an Tribune Brought
-RierdOn Objects.
Urged on possibly by the convenient
hut disconcerting lack of memory OK
hibited by the fire insurance men, Viii
liam II. HOtchkiss. the state Superin-
tendent Of Insurance. and his counsel.
Alfred HurreH. who are conducting the
investigation into the legislative fund of
the New York Board of Fire Underwrit-
ers, brought up matters yesterday bear
ing date as late as 190''.
Previous questions have been con-
cerned almost entirely with legislative
sessions Of 1901 and the following year
Emmanuel II. A. Correa. vice-president
cf the Home Insurance Company, and a
member Of the committee on laws and
legislation Of the New York board in
l9O5. was the last witness Of the day.
He had been inclined 20 levity through
out the early part Of his examination.
He knew George p Sheldon well. ne re-
piled 20 one Of Mr.. HurTelTs questions.
and added in ar undertone, ''unfortu-
pateIy" Another time ne stated that he
had always disliked the atmosphere at
Albany: IL was too cold for him. he said.
Then he replied 10 further questions
that ne looked upon the legislators az
Albany as "a most intelligent looking
body Of representatives Of the people. %
but strike" bills. he went on. We're always
drawn with one Of two objects in mind,
either 10 draw cash or for the purpose
of trading bills with the other fellow.
oh. they're the Cutest things in the
world. these legislators said COrrea.
NJ Correa dropped his facetious mar
ner in an instant, however. when Mr..
FTotcalliss presented to him two pa
pers. following very positive statemert
from the witness that he had never
known "A legislator of this state or
shaken one by the hand. and an equally
positive admission that he had given
sheldon his check for $500 on Septem-
ber =. 1891.
Refers TO The Tribune.
The Superintendent then handed the
witness a copy Of The Tribune Of Sunday.
IN which Mr. Correa was quoted in an
interview as saying that he never knew
of any company paying money 10 be
spent for the purpose ot securing legis-
lation.
Are YOU correctly quoted I'm that in
terview?'' asked Mr.. HOtchkiss.
Yes. sir. except possibly as 10 dates.'
replied Correa.
And yet now YOU say that your COM
pany. through YOU. gave Sheldon a check
for $4,000 in 1904 and you knew also If
a cash payment 20 him from the late
John II. Washburn. in 1903. when he was
president Of the Home. of another
81, ,5OO?" Mr.. Hotohkiss demanded.
Mr. COTTea. explained then that these
payments 20 Sheldon were strictly for
expenses he had incurred in employing
counsel.
When we were approached by Mr
sheldon" ne said, "he was a man We
trusted lie said he had been to great
expense I'm employing counsel and in
travelling 10 Albany and i'm entertaining.
and 50 I'm good fellowship and believing
II Ia ne all fair We gave II TO him as an
esteemed contemporary"
Mr. Hotchlliss was not satisfied with
that. and wanted 10 know how much
money Sheldon had collected I'm the fire
Insurance district in 1904 after ne re-
turned from the session of the Leyis-
l1ture.
Mr.. Corrca's guess was that IL amount
ed 10 about $4,000 i'm all. hut ne was not
sure. He did insist. however. that the
money went 20 pay the expenses Of legal
counsel. and could not be looked upon as
a fund 10 secure legislation"
Then Mr.. Hotchkiss called the atten-
ton Of the witness 10 a letter he had
written 10 J. r. Branch. Of Providence.
In 1905. which seemed to show that
Correa had knowledge of money that was
spent in obtaining legislation.
Correa's Letter 20 Branch.
Branch was then the president Of the
Providence Washington Insurance COM
pany and an associate Of Correa on the
National Beard Of Fire Underwriters II
was dated July 3. 1905. and after telling
Mr.. Branch that the committee on laws
and legislation of the New York board
would take especial pains o. De prepared
IN protect the interests Of fire and marine
Insurance companies against inimical
legislation in the coming year. Mr.
COrrea wrote.
We had quite an undertaking last year
and were very successful I'm killing
couple IL very serious bills that present
cd themselves through the Senate "t this
CuEtlnucd on fourth PAGE.