Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-25
They REFUSED TO ANSWER
New York Witnesses Before the Mszet Com
mittCe.


Frank Moss and Francis z. I-aimbeer
have presented their report as counsel to
the New York asseTabiy investigating COM
mittee II is In the form of a printed
pamphlet OF 101 pages. and is addressed TO
Chairman Robert Mazet.
They declare that voluntary witnesses
We're hard to find. the city government be-
Ing in the hands Of that organization
which is claimed and conceded to be the
most successful and powerful existing ex-
porcnt Of the spoiis system.
Nearly every branch of the city admin
istration, it is declared, stood Extensively
on the defensive
The district attorney. it is charged, be-
came an open enemy of the committee
inveighed against its powers and disobeyed
Its subDOenas
In view Of the difficulties mentioned and
the lack of time. it is said that the commit
tee was not able to do all the work 1t de-
sired.
Attention is called to the powers pos
sessed by the various commissioners ap-
pointed by the ma ynr. but whom he Is una
BILE to remove after their first six months
in Office These powers are declared to be
in violation of the ideals of American gov
eminent.
Subject to Tammany's Leader.
While the commissioners are free from
the control of the mayor. they are declared
to be subject to the will of the leader of
in the various attacks on the Manhattan
railway are pointed to in proof of this as
sertiOn
The Democratic Club is referred to indi-
recty as the place from which the city
government is
The commissioners are said to enjoy op
porturities which, without violating the
criminal law. enable them to look forward
compCsediy to retirement at the end Of one
official term.
Referring by inference to the testimony
of Richard Croker. il is declared that his
disclosures of avenues by which public
money or private money publicly infu-
enCed. may How into his pockets are so
rich that vast wealth may be accounted for
without proving the violation of criminal
statutes.
The names of the leaders of Tammany
Hall and their relations to the city gov
ernInent are presented in detail, and it is
argued, by quotations from the evidence of
Dock Commissioner Murphy and Charities
Commissioner Lantry, that ii is held TO be
the first duty Of every commissioner to look
first To the interests of his political organi-
cation rather than to those Of the city.
Increased Powers for Mayor.
Upon this statement of conditions al
legged TO exist it is recommended that the
mayors power of removal should be CO.
extensive with STERN; that he should be
required TO oversee the work of his ap-
pointees, and that he should be responsible
for their acts.
1t is further recommended that the
mayors term should be shortened to two
years, and that he should be eligible for
reelection
is asserted. have been characterized by I'M
paralleled ignorance and unfairness.
The board of public improvements Is de-
clared TO possess dangerous powers, IN
view of its composition.
The smaller bO-Oughs are said to lack
proper representation in the board Of esti-
mate and apportiOnment.
Tax Reform Urged.
They recommend the following reforms
in the taxation system Of the city:
Firs-The abolition of personal taxes on
Individuals unless the legislature is will
ing 10 require the making Of statements by
all residents
standardization for more thorough
examination Of corporations.
Third-PrOvisiOn for the separate yalua-
ton Of land and the improvements there
Fourth-Deputy tax commissioners should
Be required 10 have some special qualifi-
cation for their work, and should not be
permitted TO assess in boroughs in which
they do not reside or do business.
FIth-PrOperty owners should have the
right prior to the assessment to present TO
the tax commissioners their claims as TO
the value of their properties, and the valu-
alton should not become fixed until such
should have notice Of the proposed assess
ments on their own and neighboring prop
critics
Sixth-The law should hold the tax COM
nissioners responsible for the general over
sight and the general instruction of the
deputies
Mr.. Moss deals extensively with some of
the testimony given before the committee
particularly that of Richard Croker and
devotes much attention to the investiga-
ton 50 far as it related to the special city
departments.
The third part of his report deals with
"cOntempts-"
Guilty of Fragrant Contempt.
In this connection Mr.. Moss says:
We report several instances of fragrant
contempt committed since the passage Of
the charging resolution.
'First-The contempt of Richard Croker
in refusing to answer questions concerning
his relations to various companies which
came more or less within the Jurisdiction
OF city departments. in the filing OF which
Mr. Croker and his organization. upon Mr..
Crokcrs own statement, had eXerted a vital
influence.
''serouG-John F. Carroll, who refused to
answer similar questions
''Third-Andrew Freedman, similar mat
ters-
'Fourth-James \. Mahoney. who refused
10 answer pertinent questions concerning
the conduct OF the pool room business, in
which il was alleged he was concerned the
said Inquiry being directed toward the al
legged neglect OF duty by the police authOri-
ties. and the witness not declining to an
swer upon any of The recognized privileges.
''Fit-h-Asa Bird Gardiner, who disObey-
ed two separate subpoenas. duly served
upon him, and who accompanied his failure
to obey the second subpoena with a con-
tenptuous letter. in which he abused the
committee and denied its authority
''SIXJh-Silas B. butcher and Peter B.
Nostrand. who refused to produce papers
and answer inquiries in the Ramapo mat
ter
Certain witnesses were guilty OF con-
temptuous and outrageous conduct nota-
bly, James X. Price Henry c. Henderson
George KraUs. Isaac Fromme; but as the
law defining centempts before legislative
committees makes mention of con-