New-York tribune., 1896-11-15
F. Fl. KRACKE'S APPOINTMENT
THE MERCANTILE EXCHANGE LESS BIT
TER AGAINST HIM.
BUTTER MERCHANTS WILLING TO GIVE HIM A
CHANCE. NOW THAT HE HAS GOT THE
oFF1CE-HE SAYS HE WILL ADMIN


CHANCE. NOW THAT HE HAS GOT THE
oFF1cE-HE SAYS HE WILL ADMIN
IsTER 1T WITH vIGOR.
The bitterness Of feeling aroused among the men,
bers Of the Mercantile Exchange by the appoint
ment Of Frederick H. Kracke Assistant Commits
sioner of Agriculture for the Metropolitan District
had somewhat subslded yesterday. but the whole
sale handlers of dairy products were still nettled
to think that they had been entirely ignored In the
matter. although assured by Commissioner Weting
that their wishes would be consulted. They were
far from pleased that the appointment had been
made as they said, for political reasons mainly. II
not entirely. and that young man wholly unknown
to the great majority Of the trade had been selected
for place Of great responsibility. Mr.. kracke.
some of them remarked was only buter-cutter
at his fathers retail stand In Washington Market.
and totally without the knowledge Of the business
and Of men that would enable him TO administer
successfully office in which great vgor and
courage required 10 suppress the sale OF oeo-
margarine. Still. there was feeling that nothing
further would be gained by kicking. now that the
! appointment has been made. and most of the men
seen were disposed 10 give the new Assistant Com
missioner a chance TO show what he can do and TO
prove that his appointment is not the blunder 1t at
| first appeared 10 be.
Some Of the circumstances attending the appoint
ment Of Mr.. Krackc were told yesterday In the ex-
|
| More were learned yesterday. 1t was conceded
from the outset tha, the appointment should go to
! Kings County. AS a matter Of fact, young Kracke
was candidate for the place months before any
body connected with the butter trade In this city
had any suspicion OF it. He entered the field not
long after Mr.. Weting appointed Commis-
! sioner of Agriculture by Governor Morton
NOT THE FIRST MAN NAMED.
He was not the first man selected for the ONCE.
however The first decided on was named
Baker a dealer in milk in this city and living In
Brooklyn and It had been practically decided to
give him the place last August. His appointment
would not have been acceptable to the business
men most Interested because he was not con-
nected with the butter trade. The candidate OF
these men was j. T. North, who had the support
OF q large number Of the leading firms but was
without political influence. The petition which
these firms signed in North's interest expressly
stated that in case Assistant Commissioner Van
Valkenburgh was not retained In Office they would
be glad to have Mr.. North appointed The reten-
ton Of the displaced officer would have been accept
able to produce men Of both parties. although MI
Van Valkenburgh has always been Democrat.
When It became robable that Mr.. North would
not be named because he had no political pull.
T. s Williams an exporter OF provisions In War
ren-st man well known in the produce trade. was
prevailed to become candidate lie is resi-
dent OF Brooklyn and member Of the Union Leae e
| Club. and Is acquainted with nunocr OF men nav
ing political influence. He tells an interesting story
of his efforts obtain the appointment for the sake
| OF keeping 1t from going outside the trade most
concerned-efforts that were unsuccessful for the
| reason as he believes that the selection OF kracke
had already been determined on Last Monday Mt
| Williams was in Albany for the purpose OF seeing
| Commissioner Wieting, and received from him a
virtual promise that the appointment would be
withheld until Wednesday, apparently with the
idea OF giving the Mercantile Exchange an oppor-
tunity to make another effort to prevent the seiec-
! ton of a man unsatisfactory to 1t.
II was on this account that the Exchange on Tues
day adopted the resolutions printed In The Tribune
Yesterday but that day tho appointment was
made and Mr.. Kracke sworn into office. The first
information Of the appointment came to this city
| In a telegram sent by Commissioner Wieting to MIR.
| Williams Wednesday morning. Mr. Williams
was In an exceedingly dsgusted frame OF mind yes
terday, because Of the way In which the efforts OF
his influential friends in his behalf had been ig-
nored He is of the deacons Of the Lafayette
Avenue Presbyterian Church. in Brooklyn.
MR. wIETING's PROMISE.
The promise made by MIR. Weting that before
making any appointment he would consult the men,
hers OF the butter trade, In part fulfilled. for
about a fortnight ago he sent Of the Assistant
Commissioners. Mr.. Amber. 10 this city to consult
scme of the men In that line OF business. One OF
those seen by Mr. Amber said yesterday that the
any good reason existed for not appointing Mr..
Kracke or whether there anything known
about him that would make his appointment an
unfit one. AS the members OF the trade did not
know Mr.. Kracke at ALL and most OF them had
never so much heard Of him. they naturally could
say nothing against him personally. although they
greatly resented the selection Of unknown man
when they had advocated the appointment OF two
or three men whom they knew to DO competent TO
succeed Mr. Van Valkenburgh.
Assistant Commissioner krdcko was lounu at MS
fathers stand in Washington Market yesterday
In answer to "a question as TO the manner OF his
appointment he said; Il am not pontican,, anu @
rever have been. although am member or my
ward association and take an interest In political
matters. That Is what believe every man ought
TO do. j am glad to say that have good many
friends and that they interested themselves in my
behalf / have known MIR. Wietng long time ana
spoke TO him about this appointment soon after he
was made Commissioner OF Agriculture. ABOUT SIX
months ago. ] think. Since then know he has been
making inquiries about me and flnding out whether
there was any reason why should not be APP
4 pointed. / thoroughgoing Republican. but
with the administration of this office am frank
TO say that Mr.. Van Valkenburgh has done his
duty we'll and have not a word to say against
II not q better one / know there is some feeling
against me among the members OF the Mercantile
ExchanAe who do not know me. but have been
assured that they willing to give me a chance
10 shoW whether am the man for the place"
''It has been reported that you intend to remove
the present inspectors and appoint other men IN
their place." was suggested.
"Si'hat is not the case" said Mr.. Kracke with
emphasis Not q man of then. will be removed.
and If necessary. the number of inspectors Will be
and / mean to do II In the most thorough and Wig
orol,s manner. The men now under me are expe-
rienced men, some OF them having been here since
the beginning OF the department, and 1 have no
81 xa<rs In