The record-union., 1899-04-23

had never spoken to Police ConmIs-
sioner sexton about whisky. He mad
never discussed with Chief Devery ap-
pointnents to the police force. He re-
fused point blank to answer the cues
ticn of whether or not he had been en-
ployeo by any member of the city gov
ernment or police department to go to
Gisorderly resorts and solicit orders for
Maryland whisky.
Finally, on the request of Mr.. Moss,
Chairman Mazet directed the stenog
rapher to furnish counsel with the min
utes cf Meyers testimony and direct
ed counsel to take such steps as they
might deem necessary to bring the wit
hess before the court for contempt as
soon as practicable.
Charles Haight, an architect, testi-
fled regarding a letter sent to him by
William J. Fryer, a member of the
Board of Building Examiners, and
Chairman of the New York State
Building Law Commission. Mr.. Haight
said that Mr. Fryer had sent a Mr.
Young to him with a letter of introduc-
ton, with an idea that Mr. Young
might Go some work for the witness.
Mr.. Haight testified that he had for
gotten who Mr.. Fryer was, and did not
treat Mr. Young with cordiality Mr..
Fryer then wrote to Mr.. Haight let
ter, which was produced in evidence.
In this communication Mr.. Fryer re-
preached Mr. Haight for his treatment
OF Mr.. Young and stated in part:
Il write now to say that perhaps it
may turn out at some future day that
you will know who l am AS it has
turned out it will be just as WE'LL and
if it should ever happen again that you
need my help it viii be necessary for
you to bring a letter of Introduction
yourself to me-"
Mr.. Haight said he assumed a threat
was intended by this letter
Thomas ]. F'reitner, President of the
Department of Taxes and Asses sment,
testified that the records of the depart
ment showed that Mr.. Croker was not
assessed for personal taxes in the years
1896, 1897, 1898 or 1899 Freitner pre-
scnted an assessment notice served on
Mr. Croker in 1895. His assessment
was placed at $25,0 900 on that occasion.
Mir Croker said the value of his per-
sonal property then, exclusive of bank
shares and subject to taxation, did not
exceed S1G0. Gr. Freitner said the books
showed that at this time Mr.. Croker
had real estate which was subject to
MOI tgage amounting to $125,00O, but
mat he had no personal property sub
ject to taxation. Mr.. F'reitner said the
subject Of Mr.. Crokers personal prop
erty had not been completely considered
in his department since he had been
at the head of it,
William j. Fryer, to whom Mr..
Haights testimony applied, then took
the witness chair
MIR. Fryer said he had been a mem
ber of the Board of Building Examin-
ers for more than ten years. The ex-
aminers had held public consultations
regarding fire proofing systems.
Mr.. Fryer admitted that his mem
bership in the board might incidentally
help his business as an architect, but
said his official business had not been
neglected for his private business.
Mr.. Fryer was subjected to a lengthy
examination regarding the merits of
the various systems of fire proofing,
and the reasons which led the board to
adopt or reject them, but nothing very
new was elected.
Mr.. Croker was present at the open
ing of the session, but Mr.. Moss told
him he would not be needed until
Monday
Mr.. Fryer was questioned closely re-
garding the rebuilding of the Third
Avenue Theater, in which undertaking
lie was the architect. He testified that
ne had 1eceived $3.50 from Peter Bren-
nan for advice in regard to a building
at the corner of Courtlandt and Church
streets. The plan had been rejected
by the Superintendent of Buildings be-
fore Mr.. Fryer was called in, AMI the
Board of Examiners, of which Mr.
Fryer was a member had also rejected
the plan. After Mr.. Fryer had gwen
his advice the board approved the plan.
Mir. Fryer did not vote when the plans
came UD for the second time, although
he voted to reject them at the nrst
hearing. He had given no reason to
his associates on the board for not
voting. and had not told them that he
had been employed by Brennan. He
did not think that it was necessary to
tell them.
William J. Nihill, confidential exam
iner in the Department of Buildings,
was then called. He admitted that he
had been indicted by the State Excise
Board and bailed out in 81 900, but
could not tell what he had been indict-
ed for. He said he had pleaded not
guilty Of anything that came up
Thomas J. Brady, Commissioner Of
Manhattan Bronx Department OF Build
irgs. and President of the board, was
then called. He said that on the 31st
OF December he received a note from
Mr. Croker to meet him and Mr.. Van
Wyck. He met them, and they asked
him if he would take charge of the
Buildings Department, and he said he
would do So That was the way in
which he got his Commissionership.
Mr.. Brady said that an indictment
against him had been dismissed. He
did not know when and he was appar-
emily not much interested in the matter.
Sickness on the Aragonia.
PHILADELPHIA, April 22-The Red
Star liner Aragonia, from Antwerp for
,;.,I,