New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-26
MAZET WILL MAKE REPORT
MOSES NOT THE ONE THAT WILL GO
TO THE LEGISLATURE-A TALK
WITH SENATOR PLATT

Frank Moss's report OF the Mazet Commit
tees investigation. which has been published IN
advance Of its consideration by the committee
probably will not be the official report Of the
committee TO the Legislature. Members Of the
committee and politicians who have taken an
interest in the investigation said yesterday that
in permitting his report TO be published before
the committee had opportunity To approve II
Mr. Moss had committed a serious blunder. and
had made approval Of his report impossible
Some Of the politicians said that there never
was any reason to suppose that the committee
would adopt Mr.. Moss's conclusions. His report
to the committee. II was said intended as
brief for use by the committee in preparing the
official report. There seemed to be a suspicion
that Mr. Moss had permitted his report to be
made public because he thought the committee
would not agree with his conclusions.
The failure of John Proctor Clarke. the associ-
ate counsel Of the committee, to sign Mr. Moss's
report was taken as evidence that Mr.. Clarkes
views had not been represented in the report.
Mr. Clarke has declined to make any comments
upon Mr. Mosss report He is expected to aid
the committee in drawing up the official report
THE committee will make its own report was
the sole comment OF Robert Mazet. the chairman
Of the committee.
Senator Platt said yesterday that he never had
made the acquaintance Of Mr. Moss "Ap-
parently" he said. Mr.. Moss has proceeded on
the theory that he the whole committee.
l don't know much about it. but imagine the
Legislature will not expect a report or the
investigation from Mr.. Moss. The Assembly
appointed a committee Of its members to make
the investigation. and the committee propaoy
will make a report of It's work. 1t will be upon
the advice Of the committee, presume If there
Is legislation this winter affecting the city
charter"
Senator Platt was asked II the decision Of the
Republican leaders to have commission ap-
pointed to recommend general amendments to
the charter would prevent charter legislation
this winter and he replied: 1T was the UNDER
standing at the conference with Governor
Roosevelt that, while commission should De
appointed for general revision Of the charter,
there might be amendments by the Legislature
this winter II Is expected that amendments
which are important and urgent will be con-
sdered by the Legislature early in its session.
'Win one such amendment shorten the term
Of the Mayor" the Senator was asked.
Il cannot speak as to that" was his reply.
"Win there be an amendment to abolish one
house Of the Municipal Assembly,
II think likely, but that will be for the Legis-
lature TO determine"
The premature publication Of the report OF
counsel OF the Mazet Committee has caused
great deal OF talk and comment unfavorabe
to Mr. Moss Many persons have said that Mr.
Moss exhibited !nexcusable carelessness and
neglect in permitting his report to be made
public before the committee saw IT, The mes
sages of the President of the United States
and Of the Governor of the State and other I'M
portant documents are kept from publication for
davs after their preparation, until they
presented TO the proper tribunals and II Is not
easy for people to understand why the counsel
for a committee Of the Legislature should vio-
late proprety by publishing a report intended
for the sole use Of the committee.