The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-22
Al WARNING GIVEN
THE CONTUMACLOUS.
Witnesses Before MaZet Committee
Told They Will Be Prosecuted For
Refusal to Answer Questions.

salcamen were drumming trade In dis
reputable resorts i'm this city.
Samuel MeiTs. tailor un ltroadWaE.
was then called. lie declined 90 say
whether he had taken orders for Mary
land Nhiskey, and though Chairman
Mazet ordered him 60 answer he re-
fused. He said he had never spoken
10 Police Commissioners sexton about
whiskey. lie bad never discussed with
chief Devery appointment TO the police
force. Iic refused point blank 10 an
sWer the question whether ne had been
employed by any member Of the city
government or OF the police depart
ment To go 10 disorderly resorts anG
solicit orders for Maryland whiskey
Finally, on request OF Mr.. Moss, Chair.
man Mazet directed the stenographcr
IL furnish counsel with the minutes OF
Meirs' testimony and he directed coun-
sci to take such steps as they might
deem necessary TO bring Melrs before
the court for contempt as soon as prac"
teal
Charles Haight was the next witness.
He is an architect OF this city. lie dos
cribed at length the circumstances at
tendant upon a letter sent TO him by
William j. Fryer. member OF the board
of examiners and chairman OF the New
York state building law commission.
Mr.. Haight stated that Mr.. Fryer had
sent a message TO him with a letter Of
introduction with an idea that Nh.
Young might do some work for the wit
ness. Mr.. Haight had forgotten who
Mr. Fryer was and did not treat Mr..
Young with the cordiality that the lat
ter expected.
Mr.. Fryer then wrote TO Mr.. Haight
letter which was produced i'm evl-
dence. In this communication Mr.. Fry
er chided MIR. Haight for his treatment
Of Mr.. Young and stated i'm part: Il
write now To say that perhaps IL may
turn out at some future day that you
will know who / am, As II has turned
out 1t will be lust as wei, and If il
ever happens again that YOU need my
help. il (will be necessary for you TO
bring a iettcr of introduction yourself
10 me-
Mr. Haight said he assumed threat
was intended by this letter.
w. j. Fryer was then called. but at
once withdrawn 20 make way for r. j.
Feltner. president Of the department OF
taxes and assessments.
Mr.. Feitner said an examination or
the records OF the department showed
that MIR. Croker was not arrested for
personal taxes In the years 1Sa6. lSa1.
1898 or 1899. Feitner presented an as
sessmeut notice served on Mr.. Croker
in 1895. The swearing off OF his assess
ment placed at $4,000 on that occasion
1s95) was put in evidence. 1t was as
follows: =
II hereby swear that on the second
Monday OF January last GS95) the val
ue of my personal property exclusive
of bank shares ana subject 10 taxation.
did not exceed 80. (Signed)
RICHARD CROKER"
Mr.. Feitner said the books showed
that at this time Mr. Croker had real
estate which was subject 10 mortgages
amounting to Sl25O00. but has no per-
S0naT TiOp6rty subject To taxation. Mr.
Feitner said the subject of Mr.. CTokers
personal property had been especially
considered in his department since he
had been at the head Of it. at least. no
differently from that of the rest of the
community. Mr.. Fryer then resumed
the stand.