The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1899-04-20
CROKER N 4 TIGHT P[hC{.
The Tammany Leader Before a
investigating Committee.
He SAYS INVESTIGATE PLATT.


sittings to-day. Mr.. Croker was put
on stand. Mr.. Moss recalled the asser-
ton made by Mr.. Croker that if i;
should be proved that he had ever re-
ceived any dishonest money from the
city he would allow his right arm to
be cut of
Are you willing to make the prop
osition that if dishonorable money or
dishonorable transactions arc laid At
your door. you will part with your
fortune and with your liberty?" asked
Mr.. Moss.
"Yes," said Mr.. Croker.
THAT is more to the point and more
to the purpose" replied Mr. Moss.
go on and examine Mr.. Platt's
firm" Mr.. Croker said holly, land find
out what his boys are in if you want
be honest. You 60 and examine tie
people who brought you here to ex-
anime u.s. That is the gentleman (Mr.
Platt) who puts you here to examine
us You 60 and examine his firm.
They are at the foundation of al the
corr upton in this city.
ton in that firm to-day than any
where else, and it is run by all or
mostly all the corporations in this
state You 60 and examine that firm
now, to be fair, and bring their books
here"
Mr.. Moss said the matter Mr.. Croker
had spoken of was in no way coz
cerned with the local government.
"You make that matter in any way
pertinent to this inquiry and will
examine into it," said the lawyer.
'sThe committee will throw it off,"
retorted Croker.
Mr.. Croker continued to declaim
against the Platt influence and the
Plat firm. He said Platt's firm was
to pay Mr.. Moss fee.
Continuing, he said: ''Mr. Platt's
firm are taxing all the corporations
by retainer. They could not get the
city departments; the city would MT
give that to them. The people put us
in charge of the city departments and
we are responsible to the people for
them. You find one of the city de.
partments or any one in the city de-
partment who is doing wrong and tell
me and will be one of the first per-
sons to help get them out"
Mr. Croker said he was not afraid of
convicting himself or of discriminating
himself but thought there was no law
or reason for Mr.. Moss to come down
here and examine into his private at
fairs.
Nr. Croker declined to talk regard
ing his financial circumstances when
he returned from Europe in 1897. It
was, he said, his personal affair. The
same reason was given for refusing to
answer the question if he had given
his son, Frank. SIT, 900 to go into the
Roebling Construction company.
while my son has been in the Roe
bling company" said Mr.. Croker, lit
has never received contract from
the city, so that it does not concern
this committee at ALL
With warmth, Mr.. Croker added: II
have the utmost confidence in that
boy, and if you can destroy him in
the city, as you are working to do
this committee, it seems. has made a
set against my two sons-and if you
can destroy him and not allow him to
60 into business. suppose you will
do So"
Mr.. Croker denied that an investi-
CATION in the elevated road had been
ordered with the object of compelling
it to allow the stringing of air and
power pipes along its structure.
Again and again Mr.. Croker refused
to tell of his relations with companies.
I'VE have a right to know how q
man who controls the municipal &C.
tions is able to 60 and put his hand on
business men and put their stock in
his pocket for nothing. You dare not
say that you have not done it, do
you?" said Mr.. Moss.
''Dare?" said Mr.. Croker, his eyes
flashing, then in quieter tones he add
ed: mo, won't tell my private af-
fairs" and Mr.. Moss said:
''You dare not Isn't it fact, Mr..
Croker, that simply because you are
the leader Of Tammany hall and be-
cause, as such leader, you control the
city departments, you have been taken
INTO the Autotruck company and
given q large amount of stock to Sc
cure your influence?"
Mr.. Croker laughed. mo-" he said,
you are away Oft"
Mr.. Croker said that he was = prac-
teal locomotive builder. He was not
worth a million dollars Mr.. Croker
declined to answer when asked if he
was not given $4,000 of the auto
truck stock without the payment of q
dollar.
In reply to a question as to the con-
tro2 Of street franchises, Mr.. Croker
placed the responsibility upon the city
departments
Mr.. Croker taid he didn't interfere
in patronage II never ask for =
place for q person." he declared.
Sometimes they make it worth
your while not to object, don't they?"
asked Mr.. Moss.