New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-11
F. H. CROKER EXAMINED.
GETS A GOOD SALARY FOR
"LEARNING THE BUSINESS"
SECRETARY OF THE ROEBLING CON.
STRUCTION COMPANY DOESN'T EVEN
KNOW THE COMPANY'S BANK
DEyERY AGAIN IN HIS DIS
REMEMBERING" ACT.


DEyERY AGAIN IN HIS DIS
REMEMBERING" ACT.
1t was even more apparent yesterday than on
Saturday tha; the aim OF the Mazet Investigat-
Ing Committee is to strike as high as possible
among the leaders of the political organization
which now controls the municipal government.
Back Of all the questions put to witnesses yes
terday there was perceptibe desire to reach
the men who. though perhaps not officials OF the
administration. really responsible for its
direction and at the same time really RESPONSE
BILE for the evil conditions which the testimony
already given proves 10 exist in this city. 1t 10
obvious from the trend OF the inquiry 30 far
that the object of the committee is not to fasten
the blame for the existence OF these conditions
upon subordinates but to place 1t where 1t right
ly belongs-upon the shoulders OF the individuals
who may rightly be looked upon as accountable
for the widely prevalent corruption which II 10
generally believed the committee will unearth
before it has proceeded far with its task.
More than once yesterday Mr.. Moss. in his ex.
animation of Chief Devery. asked that Official
to come out frankly and state who II was that
holding him back from properly enforcing
the law against the hundreds OF gambling places
and other illegal resorts which are running
Chief Devery did not give the information sought
for but Mr.. Moss hopes before long to get At
the real powers behind the throne by other
means.
Again it was established that while Frank Cro-
ker was the holder Of $1,000 worth OF stock In
the Roebng Construction Company the concern
which. through the frendliness OF the Buildings
Department has practically monopoly in fire.
proof concrete materials In this city his connec.
ton with the company was merely nominal and
that the money with which the shares were
bought was handed to him by his father. Rich
ard Croker. Al least Frank said the money was
given to him by his father, but he seemed rather
hazy when asked by Mr.. Moss whether he re-
ceved the money by check or In cash. Richard
Croker himself. however. has volunteered to ap-
pear before the committee next Friday and II II
possible that he may have the opportunity to ex.
plain with more clearness this transaction in
volving the transference OF this little sum Of
$1,000.
IN CRAMPED QUARTERS
The committee. unable to obtain the use Of
any courtroom, and permission being refused
by the Mayor to sit in the Council Chamber.
was obliged to seek accommodations In the
Board OF Trade rooms at No 203 Broadway.
The quarters were entirely inadequate for the
purpose OF tine committee. and the cramped con-
dtions under which the counsel, newspaper men
| and others whose attendance necessary
labored was a source OF the greatest nconven.
! ience
It was shortly before 1890 o'clock when Mr..
| Mazet opened the second days investigation.
! At that time the room was crowded. although
efforts were made 10 exclude all those who were
! there from mere curiosity Despite the Develop
ments OF Saturday. whereby IT was shown that
toll had to be paid to Tammany before lesiti-
mate business IN certain directions could be con-
Quoted in this city. and that the Chief OF Police
was startlingly ignorant OF vicious conditions
that are matters of common knowledge. the re-
suits so far obtained by the committee have not
proved deterrent TO blackmailers. Before
beginning the taking OF evidence yesterday Mr.
Moss Informed the committee that certain in
dviduals were going about under the pretenc<
| Of being subpoena servers extorting money
from people who might be thought likely to be
called as witnesses These men have already,
Mr. Moss asserts collected hundreds OF dollars
by promising to withhold subp9nas for con-
sideration.
IT wish to announce here" said Mr. Moss
that we learn that the names OF two OF those
men are Giblin and Grant, and that II we lay
hands on them or their confederates we will
detach some Of this investigating force for their
prosecution
MR. TOsTEvIN AGAIN.
The first witness called was W. p. Tostevin, OK
the Tostevin- Hayes Fireproof Construction Com
pany. who testified on Saturday that on the
suggestion Of Superintendent Dooner OF the
Buildings Department he went to Con DAY.
a Tammany saloonkeeper. who promised the ap-
proval of the Buildings Department for the
Tostevin- Hayes freproofng for the sum OF
81 600 Recounting conversation he had Win
Bingham Brothers, building contractors. MT.
Tostevn said nc was told that Senator Gradys
office was good place TO go on all matters
concerning freproofng but that no one VINO
went into Senator Grady's Office on such busi-
ness came out with as much money as he went
In with Next he asked about his expert
ence with the new library in -hundredth-
st.. which his firm had erected. He asserted
that his plans had been so delayed by the Build
ines Department that he had lost money on the
library Moreoy yer the hreproof system which
he had used In the construction had not been
in favor with the Department since.
But YOU could have arranged 1t so. couldn't
you?" Mr.. Moss asked.
'Oh, yes; with grease enoush-grease prop
erly applied" the witness answered In so weary
tcne as to cause general laugh.
And in the right place." suggested Mr.. Moss.
"Oh. yes surely In the right place" Mr. Tos-
tevin assented quickly.
After George s. Hayes. member OF the Tos-
tevin- Hayes company, had testified to what was
apparently unfair discrimination against his
concern by the Buildings Department, Mr.. MOSS
called the name OF Frank H. Croker"
YOUNG CROKER ATTRACTS ATTENTION.
As Richard Crokcrs made his way to the
witness chair there was a general craning OF
necks and turning OF heads in his direction
The young man was perceptibly embarrassed
by the interest hts presence aroused and ne wss
blushing deeply as he faced round In his chair
n 4, . clean shaven Young man. whose feat.