Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-19
C. 0.P. GOT BIG SLICE
$1,000 Contributed by Fire
Underwriters Board.
BIG SUMS FOR LOBBYING
Secretary Case Tells Of Money Used
for Legislation.
LAW FIRM WAS PAID $4,000
For Protecting Interests Of Insur-
ance Men at Albany-Foreign
Companies Assessed.
Big SUMS FOR LOBBYING
LAW FIRM WAS PAID $500

NEW YORK, March 19-With every
indication that further astonishing reve-
Iations would be forthcoming, the in
quiry begun yesterday into the methods
employed influencing legislation at Al
bany affecting fire insurance companies
was resumed by supt Of Insurance Hotch-
kiss here today.
II a bombshell had been dropped into
the state legislative camp the shock
could have hardly been more sudden or.
in a way. more startling. In its effects,
than was the explosion at the first ses-
sion Of the hearing. There was absolute
ly no warning that anything was about
to develop. and the revelations that i'm
mediately began to crop out took every
body by surprise.
Today there was general expectation
that the inquiry might easily rival that
of the Armstrong investigation OF life
insurance affairs in 19O5-O6
Lobby Was Maintained
Testimony already has been presented
to show that the New York board of
fire underwriters. composed Of officers
Of fire insurance companies doing busi-
ness in New York. spent considerable
sums for legislative purposes. and, that
for many years the legislative represent
alive Of the insurance companies had
been Elijah r. Kennedy, an elderly and
wealthy Brooklyn man.
It was brought out that during the 1901
session OF the legislature, the one during
which the Allds-Conger affair developed.
the insurance companies had bill pre-
pared providing that their reinsurance
funds be considered liabilities and conse-
Quently not subject to taxation. contrary
to decision Of the court OF appeals under
the law as 1t had stood. The bill passed.
but was not signed by Gov. Odell until
just before the expiration Of the thirty
day period following legislative adjourn.
ment.
Other testimony was given to the effect
that about 5000 had been disbursed az
presents to various persons with political
influence to get the bill through the legis-
lature. including 500 to George w. Aid
ridge Of Rochester, member Of the repub-
lican state committee. and that a contri-
button of IS 600 had been made to the re.
publican state committee from funds In
Mr.. Kennedys hands.
Also that Gov. Odell was opposed to the
bill and decided to veto 1t. but, according
to Mr.. Kennedys testimony, had, after 8
most urgent presentation Of the case oy
Kennedy, reversed his position and finally
signed the bill.
Case Tells Of Big Payments.
c. L. Case, former chairman Of the COM
mittee on laws and legislation OF the
board OF fire underwriters. resumed the
stand when the investigation opened this
morning.
Attorney Alfred Hurrell at once pre-
scented q long string OF bills submitted by
various law firms for legal services rem
dered in connection with pending tnsur-
ance legislation at Albany. These bills
were presented to show that the expendi-
ture of large sums OF money to oppose
Objectionable legislation had continued
up until recent years.
list OF vouchers, showing payments of
amounts ranging from 1900 to $17.5
The latter payment was made in May,
1906, for work in opposing various bills.
said, as to just what bills these were.
The payment of $l7.5OO was to the law
firm of Sherman & Sterling. In April,
1901, Davis, Ston & Auerbach got
$500. and later $500.
From the first the testimony and the
records showed that a large sum of
money had been expended. much larger
than was indicated by the testimony yes
terday.
and Sterling for following the course
OF legislation at Albany. interviewing
committee members and doing every
thing possible to protect the interests Of
fire Insurance companies"
Mr. Case could not remember in con-
nection with what bills this work was
done.