New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-23
ABRAHAM GRUBER'S ADVICE.
HE SAYS SENATOR PLATT SHOULD VOL
UNTEER TO TESTIFY.
THINKS EX-GOVERNOR BLACK WOULD AID
A MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY INQUIRY IF
HE WERE ASSURED OF THE
"HONEsT INTENTIONS OF
THE COMMITTEE"


HONEST INTENTIONS OF
THE COMMITTEE"
Interest OF the local politicians in the talk of
a possible investigation by committee OF the
Municipal Assembly to offset the investigation
OF the Mazet Committee of the Assembly has
been increased greatly by reports that ex-Gov-
ernor Frank 5. Black Is encouraging second
investigation as a means OF wreaking revenge
upon the regular Republican organization and
It's leaders who prevented him from obtaining
q denomination last fall. The reports declare
that Mr.. Black would take the position OF coun-
sci for a committee OF the Municipal Assembly
and probe into the alleged methods Of infu-
oncing legislation employed by the law firm Of
Tracy Boardman Platt OF which one Of SEN
ator Patts sons Is n member and into the
methods of the Fidelity and Deposit Company
OF Maryland. Of which another OF Mr.. Platts
sons is the local manager. II has teen asserted
by some Of the politicians that proposition to
give aid TO Tammany investigation In retalia-
tion upon the Republican organization was
made by close friends Of Mr. Black
Mr. Black has been I'm Albany and Troy sew
eral days Abraham Gruber. his law partner.
who Is the Republican leader In the XXIst AS
sembly District. said yesterday that he did not
Croker or Tammany Hall in an investigation.
and he felt sure that Mr.. Black would do moth
ing for spite or revenge. but Mr.. Black might
take hand in an investigation that was for
the good OF the community. When asked II Mr..
Black would consent TO act as counsel for an
investigating committee Of the Municipal As
sembly. Mr.. Gruber said: 1T is not improbable
that he would II he were satisfied to the
honest intentions OF the committee. Mr. Black
would make good counsel for such Q commit
tee. and think the committee would be sure
to select a Republican for its counsel"
Mr.. Gruber declared that he thought the In
terests OF the Republican party demanded that
Senator Platt should be examined regarding the
business interests i'm which his in
terested He said:
II know for a fact that Mr.. Platt makes over
100000 year on this bonding business. There
is general sentiment in the Republican party
/ think that may say 30 per cent OF the party
that this matter ought to be thoroughly investi-
gated, by Mr. MaZet or by somebody else l
think a matter Of fact that Mr.. Platt Will
go on the stand before this investigation Is over.
He must do IL in self defence and In order TO
the good name Of the Republican party
think further. that II Mr.. Platt does not voun-
teer he will be subppnaed. The wisest thlng
for him TO do therefore would be TO volunteer
Senator Patt was told yesterday OF Mr.
Gruber's statements. and he declined TO TAX on
the subject further than to say that II MT
Gruber's advice was meant I'm purely friendly
spirit it must be taken with grain OF salt ana
that Mr.. Grubers advice that was worth nav
ing usually had to be paid for
Republican and Tammany politicians IN TINS
city have been taking deep interest In the dis
closures before the Mazet investigating COM
mittee regarding the business OF the United
States Fidelity and Guarantee Company through
which Richard Croker and Andrew Freedman
are drawing many thousands OF dollars fron
the pockets OF contractors liquor dealers tss anu
city employees who are required 20 give bonds
The politicians are interested also In the testl-
mony which shows how Mr.. Crokers Dondng
company divides patronage with the finel,ly
and Deposit Company OF Maryland. OF which
one of Senator Platts Is the local man
ager. -, A.,
Since 90 much information concerning MT
Croker's pet company has been brought 10 lsht
through the examination OF Mr. Croker ana
Mr. Freedman. the politicians are all anxious
to know more about Mr.. Platts bondlhg coin-
many Tammany men and some OF the Repub- |
iican politicians are declaring that Senator Platt
should be called testify to satisfy the abound
ing curiosity. . .La.
Richard Croker and other Tammany men,
despite all denials. intend to have little run IN
yestgating on their own account anu that
committee of the Municipal Council, or some
Roard which is properly authorized and clothed
with power. will start to adduce some retaha'oIy
evidence This Will not be done, however. unui
after the Legislature adtourns Wneh hIchHtu
Croker was asked yesterday about these reports. !
he said that Tammany Hall had no iuea Oh
starting such an investigation, ana audeu % .na'
Ex-Governor Black had not directly or lnui-
rectlv been in communication with Tammany
Hail. 80 ,, -
THE whole report" he said is ike many |
other statements that have been mace III .he
last two weeks-absurd. Every one knows that |
Tammany does not approve of the Mazet inVes- |
tigation Do you suppose that we are going 10 |
go around and do something that Is absoiutey |
1ntustiea hIe simply because some one IL doing |
II to us? No sir There will be no investigation |
so far as we are concerned. Mr.. Platt mas a |
right TO engage In a legitimate business ana 80 |
have l. Each Of us has to make a living AS |
long as we make II honestly no one has risht |
10 question us When do anything wrong or |
Illegal | am ready to step down and out AS ior |
Mr. Black I know nothing whatever OF MS IN
tention."
LIVES LOST on FLORIDA COAST.