New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-09
MAZET COMMITTEE REPORT
SECRET DISCUSSION AS TO ITS NATURE
BY MEMBERS AND COUNSEL.
THE CHAIRMAN SAYS HE HAS DECIDED TO
STOP TALKING ABOUT THE CAUSE OF
THE ADJoURNMENT-MR PLATT ON
THE INVESTIGATION.

THE INVESTIGATION
Several members and the counsel OF the Mazet
Committee met in Mr. Mazets law office, in
Broadway, yesterday morning and talked over
the character OF the report which Is TO be pre-
serted TO the legislature Mr. Hoffman was the
only Democratic member present Mr.. Mazet
and Mr. Costello represented the Republican end
of the committee. Frank Moss and John Proc
tor Clarke, counsel for the committee, were on
hand The discussion secret, and after
the meeting there was no announcement or the
business transacted. There was an agreement
apparently. that the counsel OF the committee
should go ahead and prepare report OF the in
vestgation. draft OF the report is TO be sub
mitted by the counsel at meeting OF the com
mittee to be called in about fortnight Mr.
Moss is to do most Of the work on the report.
There will be no more public sessions OF the
committee. Mr. Fallows. who did not attend
the meeting yesterday morning, said that II Mr..
Moss could show any good reason for calling
Senator Platt a witness he would be willing
to attend another session. but he was safe In
making such a statement. the other men,
bers Of the committee would not be willing to
give time TO another session.
There was an apparent determination OF mem
bers OF the committee yesterday 10 stop talking
about Mr.. Mosss alleged desire 10 call Senator
Platt as a witness and the sudden stopping OF
the investigation. Mr. Mazet when pressed for
information on the subject yesterday said I'M
patiently: "I have decided to stop talking about
the cause OF the committees adjournment. Peo>
pie may think what they choose about It, but
will say nothing more on the subject"
SILENT AS TO THE LETTER.
No amount of persuasion could induce Mr..
Mazet or any other member OF the committee
to give information about letter which Mr..
Moss sent to Mr.. Mazet early Wednesday
morning. II has been understood that copies OF
the letter were sent by mail 10 at least three
other Republican members Of the committee on
the same morning 1t is understood that the let
ter contained Mr. Mosss reasons for desiring 10
call Senator Platt as a witness. Mr.. Moss said
yesterday that he could not talk about the let
ter He did not know II he ever would allow Its
publication. He was anxious to have the work
Of the committee rounded up in good shape he
said He wanted to take some additional test-
mony about the police. and some other tesu-
mony as to which he could not talk. The sud-
den adjournment had been a surprise and dis
appointment to him. but the investigation was
so nearly complete that great harm had been
done by the decision not to take further testi-
mony.
As to the reports of serious friction between
members of the committee and himself, Mr..
Moss said There has been some friction. but
] am going to keep cool and not give occasion
for any more friction"
Mr. Costello said at the Hotel Cadillac yes
terday:
"Mr Moss has run the investigation without
interference. II he wanted TO call Senator Platt
he had the whole summer to do 1t In. The COM
mittee never knew who was TO testify until the
witness took the stand. Mr. Moss called Mr
Tracy and Senator Platts son, and nobody OBJ
jected although the work OF the committee was
to investigate the administration OF the city
Neither Mr. Tracy nor young Mr.. Platt Is part
OF the city administration. and Senator Platt is
not even citizen of this city. For my own
part. II had been consulted | should have
objected TO calling either Mr. Platt or Mr..
Tracy and In any event | should have protested
most strongly against examining Senator Patt."
do you think the investigation has served
any end?" Mr.. Costello asked.
II think yes. We have certainly thrown some
light on some very fragrant abuses. and have
shown that the charter Of the city Of New-York
needs amendment | think the testimony
elected OF the methods OF the Tax Department
were especially instructive and interesting to
residents Of all parts or the STATE
Senator Platt came to this city from Wash
ington yesterday afternoon and at the Flfth
Avenue Hotel last evening he said he had not
been instrumental in the sudden stopping OF the
Mazet Committees investigation. Il had no In
timation that wanted as witness before
the committee" he said. My first information
that the committee had stopped taking testi-
mony came from the newspapers. IL seems 10
me that II the committee is going to make
report TO the Legislature at the beginning OF the
session It is time they began work on it"
Senator Platt asked II he favored amend
nents to the city charter to be made by the
Legislature without delay, or II he would FAVOR
the appointment of a commission to revise the
charter. II have been In favor OF action by the
Legislature" he replied, but some influential
Republicans desire the appointment OF com
mission. / do not know that l have hxed
opinion on the subject. | presume that Will be
a subject for conference with the Governor to-
morrow
BELIEVE THEY WILL BE PASSED
II is believed by the politicians that the
amendments recommended by the Mazet Com
mittee probably Will be passed Mr. Moss,
who will prepare the report of the COM
rnittee. talked freely yesterday about amend
ments which he favored. He said he was
I'm favor OF an amendment TO shorten the
term OF the Mayor 10 two years, and allow
the Mayor to run for reelection. SUCH an
amendment could not be made to apply to the
present Mayor Mr.. Moss believes that the
Mayor ought to have power to remove heads
OF departments at will during his whole term
OF office thus making him responsible for the
good or bad work OF all his Commissioners. The
Commissioners of Accounts, Mr.. Moss added,
would be more effective officials II the Mayor
had the summary power Of removal at all times.
The report Of the Mazet Committee probably
will recommend amendments to abolish one
house Of the Municipal Assembly. and make one
body OF local legislators TO be elected yearly.
To provide for minority representation the local
Agsemblymen probably will be elected In large
districts, three in district. and not more than
npfNF
To prevent abuse Of power by the Board or
Public improvements Mr. Moss thinks IL would
be well to give TO the borough presidents the
right TO vote on all questions before the Board
He is in vor-also Of giving TO the borough
presidents the right 10 speak and vote In the
local Assembly.
CASTRO TO ATTACK MARACAIBO.