New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-08
MAZET'S SUDDEN QUITTING
REPORT THAT MOSS'S INTENTION TO
SUBPOENA PLATT CAUSED IT.
MEMBERS NOR COUNSEL WILL
CONFIRM OR DENY THE RUMOR-
MR.. FALLows SAYS HE CAN
GIVE NO MORE TINE TO
THE HEARINGS.

tees investiga on Wednesday was reported
yesterday to have been caused by a decision OF
Frank Moss, OF the committees counsel, 10 call
Senator Thomas c. Platt as witness. Mr..
Moss would not confirm the report and he would
not contradict II. Members OF the committee
avoided direct contradiction OF the report, while
declaring that there had been no intention to
force Senator Platt into the witness chair. Ind-
cations of want of harmony in the committee
and Of conflict between the committee and its
counsel were given in conversations with news
paper men who tried to confirm the report about
Senator Platt
Mr.. Moss. according to report had an under
standing with Mr. MaZet at the beginning OF
the week to hold sessions for taking testimony
on Wednesday, yesterday. to-day and to-mor-
row. and had planned to call Senator Platt as
the chief witness for Tomorrow The Republi-
can members Of the committee were not aware
OF the plan to call Senator Platt, It was re-
ported, until they received word from Mr.. Moss
by mail early on Wednesday morning. II such
announcement was made by Mr Moss. it might
easily have explained the absence OF so many
Republican members OF the committee from the
Astor House on Wednesday. They may have
decided that the best way OF avoiding trouble
with Mr.. Moss was to stay away from the ses-
sion. Mr.. Mazet took advantage OF the lack OF
a quorum to announce that no further testi-
mony would be taken by the committee.
Four OF the members Of the committee-As-
sembymen Fallows, Costello, McEwan and VIII
son-have been reelected to the Assembly, and
organization Republicans, who do not wish
to displease Senator Platt Mr.. Mazet. who
was defeated in the election, has been too stead
fast in his allegiance to the organization leader
TO go directly contrary 10 his wishes Senator
Platt has been In Washington this week, but is
expected to return to this city to-day. He has
made the members OF the committee understand
that he was not willing TO give testimony. II
he had been willing he would have gone upon
the witness stand before the election.
MOSS AND MAzET.
Mr. Mazet said yesterday that he had received
several letters from Mr. Moss about witnesses,
but he would not talk about letter which Mr.
Moss sent to him on Wednesday morning. He
declared that there had not been any intention
to call Senator Platt as witness before the
committee. Senator Platt. he said, had nothing
to do with the stopping Of the investigation
When Mr.. Moss was told what Mr. Mazet had
said he made the remark: Mr.. Mazet must
speak for himself not for me-"
Assemblyman Fallows appeared to be rather
disgusted last night at the manner In which the
Mazet Committee bids fair to wind up Its career
He was at the Hotel Cadillac with his wife and
some friends and was seen in company with AS
semblymen McEwan and Costello OF the COM
mittee at II 80 O'Clock by a Tribune reporter.
to whom he said
"Mr Moss's alleged desire to have the COM
mittee meet this week or at all hereafter for the
hearing Of testimony was a great surprise to
me- On Tuesday, November 2S I had conver-
sation with Mr.. Mazet in the committee rooms.
He assured me that the meeting on the follow
ing day would be the last. and IT was so under
stood by the committeeman present He sug-
gested that I should preside, as he wanted to
go with his wife on a visit to spend Thanksgiv-
ing Day out Of town. consented because un-
derstood IT to be the last meeting. The COM
mttee and not the paid counsel OF the com
mittee has the right to arrange the slttings OF
the committee. I am satisfied that Mr. Mazet
had no knowledge OF Mr.. Moss's plans
ITO your knowledge. was Senator Platt about
to be subppnaed by Mr. Moss?'
"I know absolutely nothing about such an In
tentlon on the part Of Mr.. Moss. It strikes me,
however. that Il Mr. Moss wanted Senator Platt
as a witness the time to call him was before he
fore Congress assembled. Now Senator Platt
Is attending TO his official duties in Washington.
and to call him as a witness at this time might
look somewhat strange TO some people Per-
sonary cannot give any more time to the COM
mittee My business has suffered on account of
lack Of attention and the short time left between
now and January must be given to It,"
MOSS WON'T TALK.
Mr. Moss refused to talk further on the
subject, except TO say that he was ready TO do
his duty, and the committee knew he was ready.
"I am willing only TO say that the committee
knew that was prepared to sustain the legal
and moral integrity OF the investigation" Mr..
Moss said
The Mazet Committee Will have an executive
session this morning to talk over the prepara-
ton Of a report to the Legislature. Counsel and
members OF the committee said yesterday that
they we're not willing to tell where the meeting
was TO be held because they did not wish TO be
disturbed.
plished by the investigating committee. Mr..
Moss said
Il consider the work done most valuable.
| think this has been the most meaty investga-
tion New-York City has ever had. / Will pre-
pare my report for the committee at once. and
will place II before the members. What they
will do as TO the report they Will make to the
Legislature | cannot say. II they wish my as
sistance In preparing their report they can. Of
course command II. The reports will be ready
by December %, l think.
.T do not care to say anything now about the
nature Of the reports | do not think the time
has arrived for that. There were many things
| wanted to go into deeper but or course that
cannot be done now.
''As TO the question OF contempt proceedings.
that Is a matter that will have TO come before
the Legislature. know nothing about IT.
The work done by the committee exceeds In
volume and Importance, think, that performed
bv the Lexow Committee. The testimony and
report OF the committee cover about ten thou-
sand pages. while that OF the Lexow covered
about seven thousand. -.
THE intention OF the committee was 10 test
the new charter and the present system OF
municipal government. 1t has shown many
conditions that should be changed ana mas
given information on many points that nave
hitherto been obscured.'
chairman Oder Of the Republican state com
ynittee who had been with Senator Platt IN