The Worcester spy., 1899-04-16
HITS PLATT HARD.
Croker Condemns the
Republican
Leader.
GETS QUITE ANGRY.
Calls easy Boss" Respon-
sible for New York
Corruption.

New York, April 15.-Richard Gro
ker was again the chief witness at to-
days session of the Mazet investgat-
ing committee. The Tammany leader
produced several sensations, but these
resulted more from his counter charges
than from any unexpected revelations
wormed out of him by the tireless
clared Senator Platt's firm was at the
bottom of all the corruption in New
York city
go on and examine Mr.. PIatt's firm
and find out what his boys are in if
you want to be honest" shouted Mr..
Croker. He also intimated that he be-
lieved Mr.. Moss had been none too
honest while police commissioner of
this city. He stoutly maintained his
own honesty. Once or twice during
the dramatic exchange of accusation
and denial between lawyer and Lead
er tempers were lost on both sides.
There was no yielding to the accusa-
tions Of dishonesty implied by the host
of questions which Mr.. Moss hurled at
Mr.. Croker and which almost invaria-
bly, met with the reply: 81 decline to
answer" Stock transactions, Mr..
Croker maintained, were personal
matters" Behind this answer he
hedged time and time again, and as
result there was only a small amount
of tangible evidence as regards alleg
ed corruption although some questions
asked and not denied implied that cor
ruption of the worst kind existed
Mr.. Moss endeavored to badger Mr..
fairs, and finally told the Tammany
leader that he "dare' not tell. Mr..
Croker did not take the dare"
His eXamintion was not concluded
and In is expected to be a witness on
Monday, when the Mazet sessions will
be resumed. The only other witness
whose testimony attracted attention
was Peter F. Meyer, Mr.. Croker's bust
ness partner. He, too, believed that
personal matters" should not be ex-
amined into, and as a result his evil
dence only resulted in the inadvertent
admission, afterwards qualified, that
Mr.. Croker had him (Meyer) appoint
ed dock commissioner.
Mr. Moss said he understood Mr..
Croker had stated that when ne re-
turned from Europe in 1897 he was sub
stantially without any large amount OF
means at that time. The statement had
been published. Mr.. Croker denied that
the statement was true.
did you give your son Frank check
of ST., 900 to go into the Roebling Con-
struction Company" asked MIR. Moss.
Mr.. Croker declined to answer on the
ground that it was his personal busi-
ness.
Finally Mr.. Croker said: "While my
son has been in the Roebling company,
it has never received a contract from
the city, so that it does not concern this
committee at ALL" With warmth Mr..
Croker added: Il have the utmost con-
fidence in that boy, and if you can de-
stroy him in the city, as you are work
ing to do-this committee, 1t seems, has
made a set against my two sons-and if
you can destroy him and not allow him
to go into business, suppose you will
do So"
Mr.. Mazet replied: "I hardly think
that statement is justified"
Yes, it is" rejoined Mr.. Croker. GO
on and examine Mr.. Platt's firm and
find out what his boys are in, if you
want to be honest. You go and exam
inc the people who brought you mere to
examine US"
Keep cool, Mr.. Croker" interjected
Mr. Moss.
Z am Just as cool as you are" came
the reply THAT is the gentleman-Mr.
Platt-who puts you here to examine
us. You go and examine his firm. They
are at the foundation of all Che corrup-
ton in this city. / say that there is
more corruption in that firm today
and it is run by all or mostly all the
corporations in this state-there is more
corruption in that firm than anywhere
else. You go and examine that firm
now, to be fair, and bring their books
here"
Mr.. Moss said the matter Mr.. Gro
ker had spoken of was in no way con-
cerned with the local government. you
make that matter in any way perti-
nent to this inquiry, and 1 will examine
into it." said the lawyer.
"The committee will throw it off,
retorted the witness,
You need not throw out any bluffs
at all. Mr.. Croker" said Mr.. Moss
"You need not throw any bluffs at
me" snapped Mr.. Croker.
Il am under no retainer from Mr..
Platt." declared the lawyer.
You are looking for it now, by your
examination here" said Mr.. Croker
when this matter goes to the legisla-
ture, you expect to be paid, and Platts
firm is to have it paid
How about you, Mr.. Croker?" asked
Mr. Moss.
IF I have done wrong in the city de-
partments, or if I have done wrong
at all. the city departments will dis
cover it. would not last 10 days, if
did wrong" declared the witness.
Have you not, since Jan. 1, been
short 1000 shares of Manhattan stock
in one office in Broad street," asked
Mr.. Moss. Mr.. Croker declined to an
swer.
..Did not that office decline to exc
cute any more short orders on that
stock on your account" continued Mr.
/ Moss. but Mr.. Croker was mute. Mr.
/ Moss said the questions about Man
/ haitian stock were asked because OF
/ the movements Of the members of the
/ Tammany organization with relation tc
the Manhattan Elevated railroad
(which are matters of general knowl-
edge" said Mr.. Moss. "and which will
be proved at their proper time.
"Did YOU not sell Manhattan stock in
authorization of an attacfupon the Man
haitian company? Did you know
/ mat the departments of the city gov
eminent were going to make an attack
upon the Manhattan Elevated rail-
To all of these and other similar
questions Mr.. Croker refused to make
! anv definite answers. He did not