Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-25
Justice Gould Resents State
ment He Sold Its Use. y
QUESTIONS Mr.. REDFIELD
Endeavors to Learn at Insurance In
vestigation Who Circulated Report.
JUDSoN'S REMARKS CRITICISED
Hopewell II. Darneille Says They
Were Uncomplimentary About
Members of Committee.

members OF committee.
Appearing as a witness today in the
insurance hearing before Representative
Johnsons subcommittee of the District
committee, Justice Ashley NJ Gould
turned on his inquisitor. Representative
Redfield OF New York. near the close OF
the morning session. and asked the New
York congressman to give him the full
details to whether or not the name OF
the justice had been spoken OF before
the rules committee of the House as hay-
ing been sold for 5000 for the use OF
the Commercial Fire Insurance Company
the First National Fire Insurance
Company in any way manner. The
question was a most startling one and
reversed the positions Of the witness and
the questioner. Mr.. Redfield replied. and
there were further questions from Jus
tice Could
Representative Redfield told Justice
Gould that although the proceedings or
the rules committee were in executiv.
session he had no hesitancy in saying
that the question had come up and that
he, Redfield. had thought ii proper to
get at the bottom of the matter for the
good of every one concerned. Justice
Gould, still sitting in the witness chair.
asked him who was responsible for amy
such alleged information and the answer
was an indefinite one.
Then you made the statement without
any responsibility" Justice Gould in
Quired.
Thought Discussion Proper.
Mr.. Redfield replied that while the mat
ter was In indefinite form before the rules
committee it had come about in a manner
which he thought perfectly proper to dis
cuss in an executive meeting. Justice
Gould told him that the report of the oc-
currence had reached him in such a way
that he could not overlook 1t. and that it
was highly important to him and very Of
fensive, and that he Justice Could must
fix the responsibility.
The matter was left in that form for
the time being. Previous to that testi-
mony Justice Gould had gone over his
relations with both fire insurance COM
panies and with the corporation of Tuttle,
Wightman & Dudley. He testified con-
corning the literature and advertisements
of the company, that he thought some OF
the statements contained I'm the booklet
We're optimistic. He and Representative
Redfield fenced very deliberately with
paramount skill over some of the infor-
nation In the booklet.
Robert N. Harper, president OF the Dis
| trict National Bank. took the stand Just
previous TO the noon recess.
Nothing for Use Of Name.
Justice Gould was the first witness to-
day and denied absolutely that he had re-
ceived anything for the use of his name
as director in the Commercial and First
National fire insurance companies. He
also said he could not recall receiving the
500 in stock of the Tuttie, Wightman &
Dudley firm.
He said he had known the Commercial
company for years, and that he had be-
come connected with it because of his in
terest i'm insurance law. Mr.. Carusi, he
said, had told him of the decision of Tut
tie, Wightman 4 Dudley to become in
corporated.
II understood they wanted a fifth man
to act as referee in some of their dis
agreements, and / saw no objection. They
told me stock would be placed i'm M
name, and 1 suppose 1t was, although
don't recall it. L can't find the stock.
AT that time the First National had
not been thought Of
He said that in his connection with the
insurance companies he had never
thought at all of his connection with
Tuttle, Wightman & Dudley. He gave
figures on his dividends, which were
small.
In answer to a question. he said:
IF there should be any controversy be-
tween Tuttle, Wightman & Dudley and
the insurance companies. j would feel un
der most sacred obligations to act with
perfect fairness toward the insurance
companies because of hundreds of peo-
pie i'm those companies who are there be-
cause of my connection.
He said that he had no obligation to
the firm.
Judge Prouty asked him IL il is not
wrong for the officers of an insurance
company to make contracts with them
selves.
Under most circumstances i would
say yes." replied Justice Gould.
Necessary to Have Interest.
He explained that under the conditions
of the present case it was necessary To
give Tuttle ,and his associates some in-
terest i'm the Commercial Judge Prouty
asked if Mr.. Tuttle would not have built
up the company as we'll through his own
ability and pride as through side con-
tract.
Justice Gould replied the company had
experienced but little difficulties before
any contract with Tuttle. Wigltman &
Dudley had been made.
isn't it a safer policy for an officer to
be on a fixed salary. so the public will
know just how much money he is getting.
than to have a nominal fee and a side
contract?'
Judge Gould answered that it lis a de-
batable question: and explained that the
first prospects for the firm of Tuttle.
Wightman & Dudley We're very small, and
that the correct policy seemed to be feed
the hen that laid the golden eggs
lit was goose that laid the golden
egg" ventured Chairman johnson, which
raised laugh.
Judge Gould and Judge Prouty engaged
in a long conversation insurance re-
suits and some. insurance law, i'm which
subject Judge Gould is lecturer before
Georgetown University Law School
do you think it safe to let a man
pass on the risks in which he is pecun-
iarly interested?" asked Judge Prouty.
"In this concrete instance know Tut
tie Wightman & Dudley have canceled
many risks that seemed safe enough
Judge Prouty trying to get a direct
answer as to the safety of such a policy,
Judge Gould finally said:
1.-The man who is getting the golden
eggs out OF the hen wants the hen to
stay alive and WELL" meaning by this
that Tuttle, Wightman & Dudley would
not have passed risks for a mere matter
Of premium or income to themselves.
Praises Tuttle and Associates.
Judge Prouty asked many questions as
to policy. and Judge Gould's answers
were all to the effect that Robert Tuttla
and his associates were SO ambitious to