Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-04-16

SWER PERSONAL QUESTIONS
PROPOUNDED BY MOSS-CRO-
KER'S REAL ESTATE BUSINESS
PARTNER BEFORE THE CON-
MITTEE.
New York, April 15.-The Mazet in
vestigating committee continued its
sessions to-day. The hearing took
place in = court room of the United
States Criminal Court, in the post
Office building, scarcely large enough
to accommodate 800 persons. The use
Of the room had been granted to the
committee by the treasury officials in
Washington. There were present
eighty-four reporters and stenOgra-
piers. These, with the officials, left
slight room for the many outsiders who
were anxious to hear what more Mr..
Croker had to say and what more Mr..
Moss had to ask him, for it was gen.
orally expected that the Tammany
:. leader would, as yesterday, be the
leading figure of to-day's proceedings.
There was an expectation that, like
John f. Carroll his deputy, Mr.. Croker
would refuse to answer questions on
the ground that they relate to personal
matters and that Mr. Croker might, as
a result. be reported to the State legis-
lature for alleged contempt
Peter F. Meyer, Mr.. Croker's partner.
was present, having been served with
subpoena
Richard J. Foster was the first wit
ness. He is in the wholesale and re-
tail ice business in this city. AS he be-
gan to testify Richard Croker accom-
panied by his son Frank, entered the
court room.
The object of calling Mr.. Foster was
apparently to prove alleged discrimina-
ton by the city government in favor of
the Consolidated Ice Company. His
testimony was uninteresting and seem
ed unimportant.
Mr.. Moss called for George F. Gum
ing, Charles W. Morse, Alfred Nelson
and other officers and employees of the
Consolidated Ice Company, but none
of them appeared. Peter F. Meyer was
them called.
Mr.. Meyer replied testify to ques-
tions regarding his real estate auction
business, but impaired no information
regarding judicial sales additional to
what was brought out yesterday. He
did not, he said, take Mr. Croker into
partnership to get the benefit of the
latter's reputation and influence, but
ITO get satisfaction out of a certain
party that l had a little grudge
against" Witness would not explain
this statement. He was not officially
connected with the organization known
as Tammany Hall, but was treasurer
OF the Tammany Society, an old secret
society of a social character. Mr.
Meyer admitted that Mr.. Croker chad
him appointed to the dock board, but
corrected himself by saying he was ap-
pointed by Mayor Van Wyck He had
bought stock of the Consolidated Ice
Company while member of the dock
board, but refused to go into details
regarding that transaction on the
ground that it was his private business.
There were several sharp passages be-
tween Mr.. Moss and Mr.. Meyer
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 proven that he had ever re-
ceived any dishonest money from the
city he would allow his right arm to
be cut off.
Are you willing to make the propo-
sition that if dishonorable money or
dishonorable transactions are laid at
your door you will part with your for
tune and part with your liberty?" ask
ed 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 regard
ing his financial circumstances when
he returned from Europe in 1897 IL
was. he said, his personal affair. The
same reason was given for refusing to
answer the question if he had given
his son Frank $4,000 to go into the
Roebling Construction Company.
While my son has been in the Roe
bling Company Mr.. Croker added, cit
has never received a contract from the
city, so that it does not concern this
committee at all
With warmth Mr.. Croker added:
Il have the utmost confidence in
that boy, and if you can destroy him
in the city, as you are working to do
this committee. it seems, has made a
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 holly, land find
out what his boys are in, if you want
to be honest. You go and examine the
people who brought you here to exam
inc us. That is the gentleman-Mr.
Platt-who puts you here to examine
us. You go and examine his firm. They
are at the foundation of all the cor
Y11nt1nn In fbi, oitv 7 COW fbof thor,