New-York tribune., 1911-01-20

OF capital and labor. and was q strong be-
lever of legalized pooling of industrial In
terests.
on July l. 1904. Mr.. Morton resigned from
the Santa Fe TO become Secretary Of the
Navy in the Cabinet OF President Roose-
welt. He had been an enthusiastic Demo
crat up TO eight years before that time. but
had then become an equally ardent Repub-
lican.
Before coming 10 Warhington he was a
close friend Of President Roosevelt. and It
was observed before his appointment was
announced that photograph OF the Presi-
dent taking the bars on horseback hung in
Mr. Morton's office. just below another
photograph OF the members of President
Cleveland's cabinet. OF which his father,
J. Sterling Morton. was a member. This
friendship between the two men never
weakened.
His Course in Naval Affairs.
In his usual energetic, almost impetuous
fashion. Mr.. Morton plunged into the af-
fairs Of the Navy Department. meeting rhe
problems squarely and not hesltating to
express his conviction n it differed from
that OF the naval experts on matters Of
naval policy HIS opinion that the strength
OF the navy lay In battleships rather than
in war craft Of oiEer types has been amply
vindcated since.
Not long after Mr.. Morton entered the
Cabinet the quc-tion Of the prosecution OF
the Santa re FOR rehating arose, and with
II the question of bringing through the
Department OF Justice. criminal action
against the officers of the road for viola
tion OF the law. Criticism Of the admins
tratlon for inactivity IN this connection
was reenly felt by Mr. Morton, the intima-
tion having been made that because he
had been one OF the officers OF the road
no action was brought against them per-
sonally.
Mr.. MOODY. a: that time Attorney Con
eraI; Chairman i\napp Of the Interstate
Commerce Commission, 4he judges In the
rebate case and Presidert Roosevelt him
self pointed out that there was no evil
dence involving the officers of the road
PERSONAL aIIy-above all, NJ. Morton. Mr.
Knapp declared that Mr. Morton. on the
contrary had consistently opposed the re-
bate evil and had given the commission ali
possible assistance IN its efforts 70 sup
press tlr practice Despite these denials,
lir -for-ton's resignation was announced
on May il OF the following year, 1870 y
became teffective on July l. just one yeaf
after his appointment
When Mr.. Mortons prospective resiGna-
ton from the Cabinet was announced, Il
va, runored that he WIS to he associated
with Thomas Z. Ryan IN this city IN the
building cf projected subways. This rumor
was quickly sllsyed by his appointment on
June Q. 1905. as head Of the Equitable Life
Assurance Society. Just then emerging from
the upheaval Of It's affairs. which resulted
IN the New York state insurance inves-isa-
tion by the Armstrong committee with
Charles f. Hughes as counsel
From that moment Mr. Morton assumed
a leadership in insurance affairs, not only
directing the rehabilitation OF the Equitable,
byt standing in the forefront in all united
action or the part OF the big companies
He was spokesman Tor the companies IN
the public hearing on the insurance reform I
bills before the Armstrong committee. Ad-
lnittin~ the existence Of the evils IN ques-
ton ne pleaded Tor many important mcol-
fcations OF the proposed law.
As a result Of bis management Of Eduit-
able affairs NJ. Morton made the claim
that reforms instituted by him had affected
an annual saving Of N,250,Ool. al ot Wnlch
would 80 20 the policyholders.
Er. Morton on coming to New York first
occupied the house Of Elihu Root, at No
7s3 Park avenue during the latter's alb
sence in Washington. Early IN 1909 how
ever he took house at No IA Fifth ave.
nue. on o long lease.
AIr. Morton married in 1880 Miss Charlotte
Goodridge, OF Chicago. They had two
daughters. Caroline, wife Of William c.
Potter. . mining engineer Of Mexico, and
Panlire wife Of ] Hopkinson SmIth. r.