New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-03-24
CROKER DROPS THE MAST
HE CALLS on THE RAPID TRANSIT CON
MISSION TO RESIGN.
No HOPE he nrcLAnEs FOR TIE rxpEnGnou::

NO HOPE. he DECLARES FOR THE UNpERGRovs1
sYsTEM-A BITTER ATTACK on THE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND
rX-MAYoR HEWITT.
Richard Croker declared the attitude OF m
present City Administration toward under
ground rapid transit in an interview last night
IN which he said: They (the present rapid tran
SIT commissioners are welded absolutely to
underground transit. There is TO hope for that
system"
Ever since the late campaign Mr. Croker has
maintained an attitude Of indifference to tho
attacks on him and his party. but apparently
he was ancered by the action Of the Chamber
OF Commerce in relation 10 the Ellsworth bill.
which he's fer IS purpose the decapitation Of
the present Rapid Transit Commission and the
creation. by the Mayor. OF one which will be o
pllahlc instrument in the hands Of the de .acto
ruler Of tho city. NJ. Croker has not counted on
such sturdy opposition 20 the Ellsworth bill.
and as he saw the prize slipping away from his
grasp, he grew indignant. and at last lie; him
SELF out" to use a Tammany co.loquialism. Mr..
Croker was vsihly aStated whom he made the
remarks which follow and he frequently paused
- change his sentences. 50 as 20 make them
stronger. accompanying this action ~ swapping
his teeth in a savage way.
Il don't care to cr.tic.se Mr.. Hewitt" Mr.
Croker said He Is an old man. re never did
anything but talk when he vas in Congress or
when he was Mayor. lie never showed any re-
suits The people elected Tammary Hall TO
rower and y K had been IN the charter the
Rapid Transi: Commission would have gone out
Of Office and We would have had a Tammany
Commission which would nave done something
The Chamber Of Commerce is composed Of
n lot Of narrou- minded and bigO;ed men. They
don't want rapid transit. The present Commits
soners have been in Office for three years and
they have done absolutely nothing. Sow. say
let them resign and let get in, and In three
years we will show some reaults or we will be
ready 10 get out. Tammany Hall always does
something These people do nothing except TO
aupoinr committees to 70 10 Albany TO keep
them in office They are great at that, ana
passing unjust criticism on pubic men. Inc!
have sIen: S4po,oo0 If the peoples money, anu
there Is nothing 10 show for 1t ihree Iho' ~
have passed since Tanmany Hall came INTO
power and II we had been able 70 name
commission. as the charter should nave pro
the city. and increased the value OF proper;,SS
- per cent along the routes which we woulo
have made for rapid transit
"Tammany Hall likes to deal WIN men VINO
show results and progress. what nave We ~
show for the half million dollars that the Kappa
Transit Commission spent? They are OF 'he
class that the people voted against las' eIeE
ton We are pledged to give the people rapid
transit but We cannot do II because this COM
mission persists in remaining in Office. contrary
70 the VIII If the people. and they are prevent
ing Us from doing anything. II they mad any
decency they would resign and give Tammany
Hall a chance 70 show what II can do.
Il am convinced that they are welded TO un-
foreground transit absolutely. There is no nope
for that system and under the circumstances
they ought to give the people chance to have
their rights"