The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-04-16
CR0KERDEF|ANT
Won't Tell Where Be Gets
Ills Money.
NOT WORTH A MILLION
Really Wishes DeVery Would
Close The POOhOomS.
THINKS PLATT IS BAD,
And Would Like TO See Him and
His Boys Investigated,
THINKS PLATT IS BAD,

whether He Himself Held a Retainer
Against Cheap Telephones. Demanded
Part of Bourke Cockran's Foes in the
Broadway Cable Case, Sold Manhattan
Short Before the Health Board Raided
1t, He Classes AS Private Matters or
Doesn't Remember-His Partner in Real
Estate, Peter F. Meyer, Initiates Him.
As on Friday. so it was yesterday. that Rich
ard Croker was the witness OF stellar maRnl-
tude before the Mazet committee. It Is prob
ably true that disinterestcd persons would say
tia, the Tammany leader did not make as good
a witness for himself and his organization yes
terday as he did the day before. 1t may be that
he was tired out. mentally and physically. yes
terday. but 1t is a fact that his mind seemed to
move more sluggishly than 1t did on Friday.
AT times he seemed to fail to comprehend the
mean ug OF simple questions. and the failure to
comprehend did not seem to be a matter OF
art fee. 1t was plainly evident that the man
who presides over the destinies OF Tammany
Hall was having difficulties with his head piece.
It Is true. however. that Mr.. Moss did not
succeed in securing much positive evidence
from the witness damaging to himself or to his
political associates. Az a matter OF fact. the
time that Mr.. Croker was on the witness stand
was largely taken up by speeches OF Mr.. Moss
IN rerly to Speeches from the witness or vice
versa. Mr.. Croker declined to answer a great
many Of the questions put to him on the
ground that he did not purpose TO have
his private affairs examined into BY a
legislative Investigating committee. His
memory was also bad on several ocSa-
sionS, Mr. Croker did not at all times impress
those who heard his testimony with his SIN
certify, when he replied. Il don't remember"
There were times when he gave this answer
that his face seemed to indicate that he could
remember II he tried hard. But he declined to
answer more questions on the ground that he
dill not wish his private affairs inquired into
than h. failed to answer because Of his forget
fuIness. 1t was easy to see that In many In
stances he declined to answer questions In
order to be consistent. Shortly after he took
the stand on Friday he informed Mr.. Moss and
the that he was quite willing to
answer all questions which had any connec-
ton with politics or public matters. but that he
would absolutely refuse to answer questions
relating to his private or business life.
Mr Moss took particular pains yesterday to
ask many Of this kind OF questions. Some
times. when no was able to be particularly ag-
g%ravating, lie got a direct answer to his Ques-
tI"n. hut immediately after the answer had
bren given the witness would remember that
he had said he would not answer any questions
oltht@ character, and would promptly remark I:
decline to answer"
An oUTBURsT AGAINsr PLArr.
On two occasions. and only two. the Tam
many leader showed unmistakahle and genu-
Inc i"eilng. Once his eyes filed with tears.
itls Probably tn" only time. in many years at
least that anybody has seen Richard Croker
moved to tears. Mr.. Moss had been asking
MIN som" questions about his interest in
tr!dg"s over The East River and endeav-
oil"g tn connect that interest with tho
o"N'Fr OF the witness to have his son
Mas" a business connection with tho
Original Rocbling Company. which Ia largely
engage IN I'll" manufacture Of certain bridge
i~ma''rIaiS, The witness was asked whether he
~" gwen TO his son. Frank II. Croker. a check
i"rSl',"oO to pay for his stock In the Roebling
construction Company. or whether he had given
III" boy $1,000 cash. The witness declined to
answer the question. He was then asked II
lie nal given his son r. s.. Croker any money
10 nay Tor the stock which he had received In
N- I nIt"d Company Mr.. Croker declined TO
answer that question. Then MIR. Moss said:
"i Mr.. Croker. your son has made state
"'''H h"r" that are not clear to US. They are
~ her-"ht, in fact. that your sons veracity Is
m9l"-ton. thought you might clear up this
M rr.
o." veteran Of 80 many political battles
"'''I t. a lily at MIR. Moss for a moment. and
90" N'h an evident effort to overcome some
l. =. h' said:
l."E "t "''ry confidence in those boys. and
-.Ii rN"-. ,-,,, sal ,. 90 - u. ,ak 49,
r''l'i'a'i"us and prl vent them from going
i" i~'~'I""- H. this city. You are welcome to
... ti.'sa"tnIn sou can get out iAu tao
'"' "H't make any mistake but that l
'r5"u mighty busy while you are trying
.Iuu."
witness settled hack in his chair and
"t"l ms LAWS s~'iuar-ly together in an effort
'' ''", h mSclf. The effort was successful.
'''' tw' tears filed his eyes. in spite OF the
- coy which h" gave To his JAWS.
'i'r o"cnston Of .celin: shown by the
"~ vas hen Mr Moss told him that he
''' not care foranv more OF Mr.. Croker's
"' On the witness stand. Mr.. Croker re-
'ta' Nr Moss was the man who was
I'hi"E the speeches, This Nj. Moss ,ienied
e. ~"I that the witness Was taking too much
. 'h' committees time with irrelevant re,
hh'"- Nh Croker started to reply to this
|h.n H." CHAIRMAN OF the committee called
iN' '""rter rather sharply. Til" action OF the
'N'I''aH S%Grm..ol iTr. Croker for n moment
o" '#"n h" oOked rXccrdingt: Dubbed. FINALLY
h" ron,-rN y.
go iH.-ta'k is very we'll. but why don't you
I'"'d examine The man that created you and
''' EIl irrrf Gu aud nrcstigatc the oflct
~ 'i.'S. B"ardmun 4 Hiatt. There is more
r''"p'"n IL that once than in any office IN
."'''Nh. Tho are retained by nearly every
CORPORATION IN this town. Go and attend L
tINln. 20 md ihNnsiirntn thu man Won ga