New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-27
PRICE THREE CENTS.
CROKER ATTACKS GODkIN.
HE DECLARES THE STORY OF HIS con-
FERENCE WITH GOULD FALSE.
DEMAND OF TAMMANY CALLED BY EX-
JUDGE DrI LON THE MOST PRO-
NOUNCED ATTACK ON VESTED
INTERESTS" HE HAS KNOWN


The battle between Tammany Hall and tho
Manhattan Elevated Railway Company and tho
reported conference between Richard Croker
and George J. Could were widely discussed yes
terday and led to statements by ex-Judge Dil-
lon and MIR. Croker. What Is alleged to have
been said at this conference was printed in The
Evening Post" Saturday. and the substance
Of it retold in The Tribune and other papers
yesterday. The report said that Mr.. Croker
brusquely demanded Of George j. Gould the
right to hang pipes or conduits for the transmits
sion of compressed air on the elevated structure,
and that his language and dlctatorial manner
were such that Mr.. Gould had curtly declined
TO have any further dealings with him or his
company Mr.. Croker had something TO say
about this report last night. and ex-Judge Dill
lon counsel for the elevated road. vehemently
denounced the action Of the city government
in its the company He said:
I'm what | may say / DO not refer to par
ticular persons or negotiations II is not neces-
SGry. for the public seems 10 have n proper ap-
lreciaton Of this case. | have never heard II
referred to in any way except as strike
'hold-up or n raid. It is the most pronounced
POpulistc attack upon vested interests that
heye ever known. There has been nothing In
the legislative or legal history Of Texas. South
breaches 1t. BY Populistic attacks | mean at
tacks vested rights under the form OF law.
and that is just what is attempted here 1t out
Herods anything ever done at any time in the
worst Populist state IN this Union. and II It
were possible 10 imagine that it could be sue
cessful. il would be the most serious blow ever
dealt 10 property and vested interests in this
country. II would discredit the city Of New
York ard cover the State with shame"
It was this statement from ex-Judge Dillon
that led Mr.. Croker to give his views. Mr.. Dill
Ions statement was read to him at the Demo-
cratic club yesterday and he answered it by
saying: "Al that is very we'll from his stand
point as an interested party in the company.
That matter Is for the courts % decide II the
elevated company refuses 20 carry out the in
structons laid down in the ordinances passed
by the city Council; and we shall go 10 the very
end so far The organization IS concerned.
Now. far as that scurrious article in The
Evening Post is concerned about my alleged
talk with Mr. Could. II was false from beginning
to end. Tammany Hall and | care nothing for
their attacks. II they We're friendly 20 peo-
pie would think there was something radically
wrong with the organization. Mr.. Godkin prints
q paper tor an element that likes 10 read some-
thing hostile TO Tammany Hall. and when this
element supports Tammany Hall our people will
leave us. II IS evident that the elevated roads
have secured the services II Mr.. Godkn and
The Evening Post together with few other
yellow journals. We have been accused for the
last ten or twelve years OF protecting the ele-
waited roads for Improvements they have PROM
ised TO make Now when We have come out
and demanded that they obey the laws. they are
trying to arouse public sympathy In their policy
of resistance TO the law. They have no right in
Battery Park which belongs TO the people.
They should buy property If they want ter
mnal at South Ferry. and not the peoples
property That article in The Evening Post
was a falsehood from start to finish. | never
use such language as was attributed TO me. and
defy any person TO come out and say that
I do"
Mr. Croker would say nothing more. and II
could not be learned from him whether he had
seen Mr. Gould not J. H. Hoadey. who is
the president OF Mr.. Cr0ker's aut0-truck COM
panv said yesterday that he had personally
carried on the negotiations with MIR. Gould. add
ing: THE Auto-truck Company wanted the
privilege Of attaching 2is-inch pipe 10 the ele-
vated structure and offered 10 pay FOR such
prfyilege talked the matter with Mr..
Gould. and he practically agreed 10 our propo-
sition We offered 10 pay a rental OF $4,000 a
year. and to give the elevated company S2JOOOO
worth of our stock We were about TO close the
contract when the Board of Health made its
move against the elevated structure That was
that neither Mr. Croker nor myself
had foroseen. but on hearing Of II, Mr.. Croker
suggested that our arrangement be dropped for
the time being and il was dropped This talk
a bout the elevated structures not being able 10
cary the additional weight is sheer nonsense,
and | think that even now the elevated company
would be glad 10 have our company carry cut
its original ldea'