The Washington herald., 1913-03-02
INSURANCE probe
RESULTS in SUIT
Commercial and First National
Ask Damages Of Stellwasen,
Red6eld, and Judson.
WANTS25o,0oo
Representative from New York Says
He Will Welcome Case
Going to Trial.

Wicked and malicious conspiracy to
destroy the good name. fame. credit, and
business Of the Commercial Fire Insur-
ance Company of the District Of Co.
Iumbia, and the First National Fire In
surance Company of the United States, is
alleged In two suits for S25o,00o damages
each. which those companies yesterday
brought in the District Supreme Court
against Edward J. Stellwagen. president
of the Union Trust Company. Col Will
lam v. Judson, U. s. A., former Ensi-
neer Commissioner of the District. and
Representative William c. Redfield.
member of the House District Commit
tee. and of that committees subcomit-
tee in charge of the recent insurance
investigation"
Col Judson left yesterday afternoon
for his home In Kentucky, while Mr.
Stellwagen refused TO discuss the suit.
Representative Redfeld did not seem
inclined TO take the suit seriously. either
in SO far as II concerned him or as II ap-
piled to Col Judson and Mr.. Stell-
wagen.
Il have heard of it only through the
newspapers" he said. How much Is
it for-sO0.O10? Well l am complimented.
Five hundred thousand dollars-let me
see: that is little less than $lS7.
each. Yes. I am complimented. You may
say for me, though, that I hope they
bring it to trial at the earliest possible
day"
The suits. which are Identical. are
the result Of the Congressional inves-
tigation of the companies and Of "the
so-called partial explanation of the
Board of Commissioners" which Is re-
ported to have led to the Investigation.
This 'so-called partial explanation
related to the order from the District
Commissioners for the reappraisement
Of the Southern Building. the appraise-
ment of which "at an excessive valua-
ton. in order that the companies might
initiate their assets" was the basis OF
the adverse criticism directed at the
companies IN the so-called partial ex-
PLANTATION
The suits allege that Mr.. Stellwagen,
Commissioner Judson. and Representa-
tive Redfeld caused to have published
false and defamatory statements to the
effect that there existed and had ex-
listed a corrupt. fraudulent, and col
lusive agreement or understanding be-
tween the officers Of the two compa mics
and the superintendent Of insurance
OF the District of Columbia whereby
the Southern Building. which had re-
Gently been purchased by the two COM
panies. had been appraised for an ex-
cessive valuation in order that the
companies might initiate their assets.
and upon the basis of such imitation
fraudulently advertise and sell stock
at higher price than that at which
il had previously been sold. and in or
der that the companies might cover up
losses which they had previously ex-
perienced.
Explanation Made Public.
The plaintiffs further declare that
the defendants also caused to be pub
lished what they assert to be false
and defamatory statements concerning
them to "a so-called partial explana-
tion written ard presented by the de-
fendsnt. william V. Judson. to the
Board of Commissioners of the District
of Columbia for the purpose of having
same issued to the public by said
Board of Commissioners pretensively
as an explanation Of the action OF said
Eoard OF Commissioners of the DiAkrict
Of Columbia in directing the reap
praIsement of the Southern Building
10y the superintendent OF irzrrance Of
the District Of Columbia and having
saic explanation. with the 6efaEltory
statements therein contained, pub
lished in the newspapers, and. in pur-
suance of said conspiracy. IL was
agreed among the said defendants that
the said public statement should be
given out to the newspapers of the
city of Washington and be published
by said newspapers as privileged mat
ter Of an official character. and said
defendants. in pursuance of said con-
spiracy. did procure the issuance by
the majority of said Board of Com
missioncrs Of the District of Columbia
OF said so-called partial explanation.
and did procure the publication to
~ Of
called partial explanation and Of the
said false and defamatory statements
contained in said so-called partial ex-
PLANTATION"