The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1899-04-14
MR.. CROKER ISSHY NOW
Won't Apnear Before the Mazet
Committee Voluntarily.
HAS CHANGED HIS MIND

1
has faced completely about in his atti
tude toward the Mazet Investigating
| Committee. From being willing to APP
pear as a witness at any time the com
mittee would intimate that he was
wanted, as he announced to the public
at the Democratic Club a week ago
Mr.. Croker shifted his position so thai
to-day he declared with a considerable
show of iIl-temper that he was mo-
chasing around after investigating
committees and certainly would not be
a witness until he was regularly sub
poenaed." Ever since the Committee
was appointed the impression has pre-
vailed that Mr.. Croker was perfectly
willing to testify, and DR.. O'Sullivan
who represents the city officers at the
inquiry, made formal announcement to
the Committee yesterday that Mr.
Croker stood ready to appear whenever
he was wanted, and that it would not
be necessary to serve a summons on
him. Mr.. Croker said to-day that DR..
O'Sullivan had no authority to speak
for him and he repeated his declaration
that he would go before the investiga-
tors only in response to a subpoena.
Mr.. Croker announced his change of
attitude at the Democratic Club, where
he was surrounded by a number of
prominent Tammany men.
What do you think of the Mazet in
vestigation as far as it has gomez" Mr..
Croker was asked.
That's funny question to ask me-"
Mr.. Croker replied What have I got
to do with the investigation"
Your son has already been called as
a witness and you are announced by
the committee as the next witness"
We'll" said Mr.. Croker, IF they
have announced me, they have done so
without authority. 1 have never been
subpoenaed. I am not chasing around
after investigating committees"
DIR. O'Sullivan, who represents the
city officers at the inquiry, said to the
committee that you would be glad to
appear whenever the committee want
ed you an dthat a subpoena would not
be necessary"
Well" was the reply, "he had no
right to say that. do not intend to go
before that committee unless I am
regularly subpoenaed according to
law"
Mr.. Croker was again asked what he
thought of the progress the commit
tee was making.
II think it's a piece of spite work."
Mr.. Croker replied. TITS nothing but
revenge"
what cause have the members to
seek revenge?"
Because the were disappointed at
Albany"
"In what particular measure?"
''In everything. For instance, in the
Amsterdam avenue grab and the As
toria Gas bill. The Chairman of the
committee was especially
in the Astoria gas matter.
It's all a question of revenge, and I am
not going to go before the committee
unless 1 am subpoenaed."
The Democratic Club, usually quiet
and deserted in the early morning, was
alive yesterday with Tammany men
who called early to see Mr.. Croker. The
Tammany leader came downstairs
about 10 o'clock and was Immediately
by callers He was not in
his merriest mood, and something
seemed to be troubling his mind. When
he spoke of the Mazet committee it was
not in the jaunty manner in which he
had referred to it before, but with
show of bitterness that he has not
hitherto exhibited. He showed for the
first time that whether or not the re-
suits of the investigation amounted to
much, he and his colleagues were sub
Iected to much embarrassment.
Frank Moss, counsel to the Investi-
eating Committee, seemed very much
astonished when Mr.. Croker's state
ment that he would not appear before
he Investigating Committee unless he
received a subpoena was repeated to
him.
did he say that?" Mr.. Moss asked
quickly. "Of course, l could not as
sumo other than that DR.. O'Sullivan
was telling the truth when he an
bounced that Mr.. Croker would appear
before the committee whenever he was
wanted. 1 assumed that DR.. O'Sullivan
spoke by authority"
"Will you subpoena Mr.. Croker?" Mr..
Moss was asked.
IT will not answer that question. 1
nave not announced a single witness
who has been subpoenaed and 1 do not
intend to-"
"Win the city Magistrates be put on
he stand?'
IT can't say; maybe so, If it is neces-
AIRY to have them"
us it true that Major Asa Bird Gar
liner has been sIbpoenaed?" Mr.. Moss
vas asked.
1T am not going to say who has been
have no statements to
make except those I will make in open
Committee"
When the Mazet Investigating Com
nittee returns to this city on Thursday
light to take up on the following morn
ng the thread of it's investigation into |
'ammany municipal abuses, it will |
ave ready for the public a statement |
( the committees views as to the in
uiry. Chairman Mazet said before re-
urning to Albany that such a state
1ent would be prepared, and it is pre- |
umed that it will give the views of |
he committee as to the scope and pur-
ose of the investigation. Just at pres
mt there are no fixed limits to the in
estigation, and Mr.. Mazet's anounce-
lent that a statement would be issued |
'as taken to mean that the committee /
'ould define the scope of it's labors,
nd that hereafter the inquiry would
e confined to the fixed limit.
Frank Moss, counsel to the commit
ee, said that he was still as hard at
'ork as ever preparing for the next
ession of the committee, but he said
hat there was nothing that he could
lake public concerning his work just
ct. The general belief is the Richard
roker will be on the stand during all