The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-04-21
CROKER'S HOLD-UPS.
Much Light Thrown on the
Boss Methods Today.

New York, April 21.-The Mazet in
vestigation committee today resumed
its session in this city.
Henry NJ. Mcdonald, the nominee Of
the Chicago platform Democracy for
governor at the last state election, was
the first witness. He stated that he
was a lawyer and resides at present at
Mineral City, Va.
Mr.. Moss asked the witness: ''You
have some knowledge of the affairs
connected with the Flushing Gas COM
pany?"
Mr.. Mcdonald said he had. He stated
that William B. Burnett, a director of
that gas company was a close associate
of his and that from him he had learned
various facts.
Mr.. Mcdonald said the gas company
was reorganized in the beginning of
1898, and that Henry J. Braker, a mem
Der of the Democratic club and the
present owner of the Democratic club
building and another man, purchased
the first mortgage bonds of the COM
pany and were made directors.
Soon after this Mr.. Mcdonald said
the Flushing company endeavored to
obtain a contract from New York city,
under the administration of Mayor Van
Wyck, but were not successful.
Continuing Mr.. Mcdonald said:
Finally it was arranged by Mr.. Bra
ker with Mr.. Croker that the stock
holders OF the company SnOuIO TURN
over to Andrew Freedman 20 per cent
of the stock of the company to be held
for the benefit of Mr.. Croker and Mr.
Freedman"
Mr. Hoffman asked if Mr.. Mcdonald
was present when that arrangement
was made. The witness said he was
simply stating what he had been told.
Continuing Mr.. Mcdonald testified:
This stock was contributed by the
different stockholders pro rata and was
issued to Mr. Freedman. Thereupon Mr..
Freedman was elected a member of the
board of directors. The agreement on
the part of Mr.. Croker and Mr.. Free
man was that as soon as possible the
company would receive a contract for
at least 500 additional lights.
Now as to whether Mr.. Croker has
carried out his contract or not, don't
know"
Andrew Freedman was called. He
holds stock in the Flushing Gas COM
pany. but refused to state the amount
on the ground that it was a. personal
matter He denied after he went into
the company it was anOwed to supply
gas to light more lamps in Flushing.
I'VE are said the witness, supply
ing less now than before. Mr.. Croker,
he said, knew nothing whatever about
his holding stock in this company" Mr..
the U. S. Fidelity and Guarantee COM
pany. He said he had nothing to do
with politics. Mr.. Croker had never
assisted him in getting stock in any
for it. He had paid for every dollars
worth of stock he owned. Mr. Croker
had paid for the stock he owned in the
Fidelity and Guarantee company. Mr..
Freedman refused to answer whether
there was a rate war between his COM
pany and the other company on the
ground that the question was not per-
tinent to the investigation.
Chairman Mazet instructed him to an
swer but Mr.. Freedman refused. Mr..
Freedman testified that his bonding
company had paid no dividend. Mr..
Moss drew Mr.. Freedmans attention to
the testimony of Mr.. Croker who stated
before the committee that he got divi-
dends regularly from the U. S. Fidelity
and Guarantee company. Mr.. FREED
man said he could explain that very
easily.
AS manager of the company he had
salary and commission besides owning
stock. He divided his salary and COM
mission with Mr.. Croker, according to
previous agreement. There was no
contract for such an arrangement Mr..
Croker relies upon my word said Mr..
Freedman. The witness refused to tell
the exact nature of the agreement he
had made with Mr.. Croker. Witness
was very anxious to have Mr.. Croker's
friendship and association in this com
pany "on account of the legion of
friends that he has got all over this
country"
not advertised that Mr.. Croker was in
terested in the company. But his
friends know it, he explained. Mr..
Freedman said that he received $4,000
a year and that he worked very hard
for it,
DO you divide it's commissions with
Mr.. Croker?' asked the lawyer.
Il will not say that l divide them,
said Mr.. Freedman. Il will say that
Mr.. Croker receives a proportion"
Mr.. Freedman said he did not give
Mr.. Croker any part of his salary.
Mr.. Mazet directed the witness to
state what proportion of commissions
he paid to Mr.. Croker.
Mr.. Freedman refused to answer on
the ground that the agreement was of
"a personal nature" He said the COM
missions paid to the Tammany leader
did not amount to $4,000 a year, but
refused to say if they amounted to
SIS, 600.
Mr.. Freedman said there was no Of
fetal record of the money paid to Mr..
Croker. Mr.. Freedman stated that Mr..
Croker was not interested in any bust
ness PROPOSITIONS with him excepting
a small interest in the U. 5. Fidelity
and Guarantee company"
Mr.. Moss said: Il ask you if you ever
told Mr.. Croker or gave him to under
stand that the moneys paid out of this
bond company were dividend.
Mr.. Croker might say that he under
stood that he did so understand it,,
said Mr., Freedman. 1T really is diVi