Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-04-21
LOOT FOR Mr.. CROKER
Receives Gas Stock for Influence With
City Government.
CONTRIBUTED BY A GAS COMPANY
Boss Agreed to Secure Contracts
in Return for Same.
II. NJ. M'DONALD'S TESTIMONY


sions in this city. All sorts of rumorS re-
garding the probable developments of the
day We're current. The members of the
committee, previous to the session, met in
Mr.. Moss office and held short confer
ence. a, :.
Immediately after Mr.. Mazet called - e
committee to order a Mr. Henderson, who
was among the spectators, rose and, ad-
dressing Mr.. MaZet, stated that he was a
lawyer and desired the privilege to cross
examine certain witnesses. He apparently
represented Police Captain Price and was
anxious to show that the statements made
against that official by Buttner at previ-
Gus hearing were untrue. Mr.. Mazet said
that Mr.. Henderson's request would be con-
siGered later.
Henry NJ. Mcdonald, the nominee of the
Chicago platform democracy for governor
at the last state election, was the first wit
ness. He stated that he was a lawyer ard
resides at present in Mineral City. Va
MIR. Moss asked the witness: "Iou have
some knowledge Of the affairs connected
with the Flushing Gas Company?'
Tells of Flushing Gas Company
Mr.. Mcdonald said he had. He stated
that VIM. B. Burnett, a director of that
gas company. was a close associate of his
and that from him he had learned various
facts
Mr. Mcdonald said the gas company was
reorganized in the beginning of 1855. and
that Henry j. Braker, a member of the
democratic club and the present owner of
the democratic club building, and another
man purchased the first mortgage bonds
of the company and We're made directors.
Soon after this Mr.. Mcdonald said the
Flushing company cndeavored to obtain a
contract from New York city Under the ad-
miristration of Mayor Van Wyck. but We're
not successful. Continuing Mr.. Mcdonald
said:
FINALLY it was arranged by Mr. Braker
with Mr.. Croker that the stockholders of
the company should tuIn over to Andrew
Freedman twenty per cent Of the stock Of
the company to be held for the benefit OF
Mr.. Croker and Mr.. Freedman"
Mr.. Hoffman asked if Mr.. Mcdonald was
present when that arrangement was made.
The witness said he was simply stating
what he had been told. Continuing, Mr.
Mcdonald testified:
This stock was contributed by the differ
ent stockholders pro rata, and was issued
to Mr. Freedman. Thereupon Mr.. Freed
man was elected a member of the board of
directors The agreement on the part of
Mr.. Croker and Mr.. Freedman that as soon
as possible the company would receive a
contract for at least :p1 additional lights
possibly a thousand lights. Now as to
whether Mr.. Croker has carried out his con-
tract or not | don't know"
Witness Recent Arrest Recalled.
Mr.. OSullivan. who represents the city
departments, asked Mr.. Mcdonald in regard
to his recent arrest # issuing bogus
checks" Mr. Mcdonald testified to his ac-
quittal on that charge.
DR.. OSulivan asked: Were you not
found with Chairman Hackett of the repub-
Hcan state committee, in confidence, max
ing arrangements concerning the silver
wing of the democratic party"
'N0.' said Mr., Mcdonald.
Mr.. Mcdonald emphatically denied any
such treachery. What he did do was This,
he SAID
-. we were at Albany at the close of
the last campaign, having contest over my
petition, which was crininally and ma
liciously destroyed in the office of ex-Sena-
tor Hill
Andrew Freedman Called.
Andrew Freedman was then called. He
admitted that he held stock in the Flushing
Gas Company. He refused to state the
amount on the ground that it a per-
sCnal matter.
1T is testified said Mr.. Moss. that after
you went into the Flushing Gas Company
it received 3 commission or contract, or
some arrange ment was made by which ii
was allowed to supply more gas to light
more lamps in Flushing. Is that true?"
Absolutely false" said Mr.. Freedman.
I'VE supplying less now than pre-
Did you go into the company after con-
ferring with Mr.. Croker?'' asked Mr.. Moss.
Mr.. Croker knows nothing whatsoever
about my holding stock in this company"
said Mr.. Freedman.
Mr.. Moss drew Mr. Freedman's attention
to the testimony of Mr.. Croker, who stated
before the committee that he got dividends
regularly from the United States Fidelity and
Guarantee Company. Mr.. Freedman said
he could explain that very easily. He stat
ed that as manager of the company he had
salary and commission beside having an
interest i'll the stock. He divided his salary
and commission with Mr. Croker, according
to previous agreement. There was no con-
tract for such an arrangement. Mr..
Croker relies upon my word" said Mr..
Freedman The witness refused to tell the
exact nature Of the agreement he had made
with Mr. Croker.
Why He Divides With Croker.
Finally, Mr.. Mess asked Mr.. Freedman to
anNKer the question on the ground that if
he did not it would rather intimate that
the United States Fidelity and Guarantee
Company was not safe company in which
to bond officials. Il ask you again." said
Mr.. Moss, after all these considerations
fairly placed before you. what was there
between You and Mr.. Croker by which he
gets out of this company more than his
dividends?''
why" said Mr.. Freedman" / was very
anxious to have Mr.. Croker's friendship
and association in this company on ac-
count of the legion of friends that he has
got all over this country, and l realized if
Mr.. Croker would take sock and join me
in this enterprise it would be most sue
cessful because he has got more men, more
friends that are willing to serve him
through friendship than any other man III
this country
Mr. Freedman admitted that 1t was not
advertised that Mr.. Croker was interested
in the company, and that his name did not
appear on any of the companys station
cry But his friends know it," Mr.. Freed
man explained.
Mr.. Freedman's Salary.
Mr Freedman said his salary was $1,000
a year, and that he worked very hard
for it,"
"Do you divide your commissions with
Mr. Croker?" asked the lawyer.
II will not say that I divide ttem'' said
Mr.. Freedman II will say that Mr.
Croker receives a proportion"
Mr.. Freedman said he did not give Mr.
Croker any part of his salary Mr. Mazet
directed the witness to state what proper
ton of commissions he paid to Mr.. Croker.
Mr. Freedman refused to answer on the