Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-04-16
WHEELING, VA TWENTY PAGES

make that matter in any way pertinent
to this inquiry and l will examine into
it," said the lawyer.
"The committee win throw it out,
retorted the witness.
Mr.. Croker continued to declaim
against the Plat influence and the
Piatt firm, which latter he said was to
pay Mr.. Moss fee. Continuing, he
said
Mr.. Platt's firm are taking all the
corporations by retainers. They could
not get the city departments; the peo-
pie would not give that to them. The
people put us in charge OF the city de-
partments and we are responsible to
The people for them. You find one OF
the city departments or any one in the
| city departments who is doing wrong
and tell us, and will be one of the
first persons to help get them out"
/ Mr.. Croker said he was not afraid of
cOnvicting himself or of discriminating
himself, but thought there was no law
or reason for Mr. Moss to come down
here and examine into his private af-
fairs. Mr.. Croker said there were no
State Senators present at the Tammany
Club dinner on Thursday night because
their place was in Albany at their bus
mess.
and you told them so, didn't you?"
asked Mr. Moss.
| Yes said the witness.
"And they obeyed your" queried the
| lawyer
Il think they did," said Mr. Croker.
| Mr.. Croker admitted that he had CIV
en- instructions that Assemblyman
/ Reddington ought to be reprimanded
for the Amsterdam grab"
| Have you not. since January LIST,
been short 1000 shares of Manhattan
( stock in one Office on Broad. street,"
asked Mr.. Moss, changing the subject.
Mr.. Croker declined to answer.
/ Mr.. Moss said the questions about
Manhattan stock were asked because
of the movements of the members of
the Tammany organization with rela-
ton to the Manhattan Elevated Rail-
road which are matters of general
knowledge" said Mr.. Moss, land which
will be proved at their proper time"
| did you not sell Manhattan stock
| in anticipation CT an attack upon the
| Manhattan company? Did you know
| that the departments of the city gov
eminent were going to make an attack
upon the Manhattan elevated railroad?
Did you consult with members of the
| city government, the heads of the de-
partments in reference to actions
against the Manhattan Elevated Rail-
road Company?
| To all of these and other similar
questions Mr.. Croker refused to make
any definite answers. He did not know
| if his friend Andrew Freedman had
j lost money on Manhattan stock. He
| did not remember when George Gould
j came to see him tCroker) at Lakewood
in 1898, and discussed the extension of
| the elevated road. 1t was about five
weeks ago, Mr.. Croker stated, that he
! spoke to Mr.. Gould about allowing the
| pipes Of his air and power company to
be suspended from the Manhattan
structure.
He believed $4,000 was the sum Of
| fered to the Elevated for the requir>
privilege.
In answer to an unexpected question
Mr.. Croker said he did not lose money
| on Manhattan stock.
How is it," asked Mr.. Moss, that
you are willing to say that you did not
lose money on the stock and you are
not willing to say that you were not
short of the stock?"
Il did that just to please you," said
Mr.. Croker
| Mr.. Croker denied that an 1nvestiga-
ton of the elevated road had been Or
dered with the object of compelling it
to allow the stringing of air and pow
er pipes along its structure.
| Again and again Mr.. Croker refused
to tell OF his relations with companies.
I'VE have right to know how a man
! that controls the municipal actions is
able to go and put his hand ON bust
ness men and put their stock in his
| pocket for nothing. You dare not say
! that you have not done it, do your"
said Mr.. Moss.
"Dare!" said Mr. Croker. his eyes
flashing. Then in quieter tones he ad.
ded
MOI won't tell my private af-
| fairs
And Mr.. Moss said: you dare not"
Isn't it fact. Mr.. Croker, that
simply because you are the leader of
| Tammany Hall and because of such
| leader you control the city apartments,
! you have been taken into the Auto
| Truck Company and given a large
amount of stock to secure your influ-
| ence?"
Mr.. Croker laughed. NO. he said,
| you are away off.
| Mr.. Croker said that he was a prac-
| teal locomotive builder. He was not
worth a million dollars. Mr. Croker
| declined to answer when asked if he
was not given $4,000 of the Auto
Truck stock without the payment of a
| dollar.
| In reply to a question regarding the
control of street franchises Mr.. Croker
placed the responsibility upon the city
departments.
Mr.. Croker said he did not interfere
in patronage. Il never asked for
place for a person." he declared.
Sometimes they make it worth your
while not to object, don't they?" asked
Mr.. Moss.
mo, SIR" said Mr.. Croker.
Mr.. Croker said he thought the po-
lice ought to try to close gambling
houses in the city by a real and earnest
effort.
you secured the closing of pool
rooms once, did you not?" asked the
counsel
Il don't know whether did or not
T cold fhav oupht To he StOnned /" re-