The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-04-16
And Tells the Inquisitor He VIII Not
Discuss His Private Affairs Before
the Investigating Committee.
WANTS Mr.. PLATT EXAMINED
AND ASKS THAT BOOKS OF THE SEN
ATOR's FIRM BE OPENED.
None of Tammany's Representatives
at the $40 Dinner, Because Mr.. CrO-
ker Told Them to Stay Away.

NEW YORK, April 15.-Richard Croker
was again the chief witness at to-days
session of the Mazet investigating commit
tee, which was confined TO the morning.
The Tammany leader produced several sem
sations, but these resulted more from his
coInter-charges than from aLy unexpected
revelations wormed out of him by the tire
less Moss. Mr.. Croker declared that Sen
ator Platts firm was at the bottom of all
the corruption in New York city. Go on
and examine Mr.. Platt's firm and find out
what his boys are in If you want TO be
honest" shouted Mr.. Croker. He almost
intimated that he believed Mr. Moss had
been none too honest while a police COM
missioner of this city. He stoutly main
tanned his own honesty. Once or twice
during the dramatic exchange Of accusation
and denial between lawyer and leader tenn
pers were lost on both sides. There was 10
yelling to the accusations of dishonesty inn
Piled by the questions which Mr. Moss
hurled at Mr.. Croker, and which almost
invariably Were met with the reply: Il de-
cline to answer" Stock transactions, Mr.
Croker maintained, were personal mat
ters.' Behind this answer he hid time
again, dS d ItSull OILY Il
small amount of tangible evidence was ad-
duced as regards alleged corruption, al
though some questions asked and not denied
implied that corruption of the worst kind
existed. Mr.. Moss endeavored to badger
Mr.. Croker into telling of his personal af-
fairs. and finally told the Tammany leader
that he dared not tell. Mr.. Croker's ex-
animation was not concluded, and he is ex-
pected to be witness Monday when the
session will be resumed.
The only other witness whose testimony
attracted attention was Peter L. Meyer,
Mr.. Croker's business partner. He. too,
took refuge behind the plea that personal
matters should not be examined into, and
as a result fis evidence resulted only in the
inadvertent admission. afterwards qualified,
that Mr. Croker had him (Meyer) appointed
dock commissioner.
FEW PEOPLE ADMITTED.
The hearing took place in one of the
United States Criminal Court rooms, scarce
ly large enough accommodate three
hundred persons There were present
eighty-four reporters and stenographers
leaving little room for the many outsiders
who were abxious to hear what more Mr.
Croker had to say and what Mr..
Moss had TO ask him. There was an ex-
pectation that, like John F. Carroll. his
deputy, Mr.. Croker would refuse TO answer
questions on the ground that they related
to personal matters and that Mr.. Croker
might as result be reported TO the state
Legislature for alleged contempt. Peter F.
Meyer, MIR. CrokerS partner, was present,
having been served with a subpoena.
Richard j. Foster was the first witness.
He is in tie wholesale and retail ice busi-
in cit Ac ha IN
Richard Croker, accompanied by his
brother Frank, entered the room. The OBJ
ject of calling Mr. Foster was apparently
to prove alleged discrimination by the city
government in favor of the Consolidated Ice
Company. His testimony was uninteresting
and seemed unimportant.
Mr.. Moss called for George F. Cumming
Charles w. Morse. Alfred Nelson and other
officers and employees of the Consolidated
Ice Company, but none of them answered.
Peter f. Meyer was then called. He re-
piled to questions regarding his rea-estate
auction business. but impaired no informa-
ton regarding judicial sales additional to
what was brought out yesterday. He did
not, he said take Mr. Croker into partner
ship to get the benefit of the latters repu-
tation and influence, but to ''get satisfaction
out of certain party that had a little
grudge against
BOSS" CROKER RECALLED.
! Mr.. Meyer was excused and Mr.. Croker
was called TO the witness chair. Mr.. Moss
recalled the assertion made by Mr. Croker
yesterday that if it should be proved that
he has ever received any dishonest money
from the city he would allow his right arm
TO be cut off.
Are you willing to make the proposition
Itch IL
transactions be laid at your door you will
part with your fortune and part with your
liberty?" asked Mr.. Moss.
Yes" said Mr.. Croker.
THAT is more TO the point and more TO
! the purpose" replied Mr.. Moss.
Mr.. Croker declined To talk regarding his
| financial circumstances when he returned
| from Europe in 1897. 1t was, he said, his
personal affair. The same reason was given
! for refusing to answer the question IL he
had given his son Frank $1,000 to go into
| the Roebling Construction Company.
While my son has been in the Roebling
! Company" Mr.. Croker added. 1T has never
! received a contract from the city, so that
/ IL does not concern this commission at ALL.
I With warmth Mr.. Croker added: Il have
| the utmost confidence in that boy, and il
| you can destroy him i'm the city, as you are
working 10 do-this commission, il seems,
! has made set against my two sons-and
! If you can destroy him and not allow him
to go into business L suppose you will
| do so.'
Go on and examine Mr.. Platt's firm" Mr.
Croker said. hotly; "and find out what his
boys are in. il you want TO be honest You
so and examine the people who brought you
here TO examine us. That is the gentle
man-Mr. Platt-who puts you here TO ex-
anime us. You go and examine his firm.
They are at the foundation of all the cor