The San Francisco call., 1899-04-22

NEW YORK, April 2t.-Two exciting
sessions of the Mazet investigating COM
mittee were held to-day. A feature was
the refusal of the witnesses to give tes-
timony. Another feature was the defiant
attitude of Andrew Freedman on the
stand and still another feature the ejec-
ton from the committee room of Abra-
ham Himmet Wright of the Roebling
Company when he insisted upon making
a statement after he had refused to. an
sWer a great majority of the questions
put to him by Mr.. Moss, counsel for the
committee.
The chief interest centered in Andrew
Freedman, who within recent years has
been known as q warm personal friend
of Mr. Croker and associated with him
in a business way. Mr.. Freedman was
more than ordinarily forcible in his an
swers to some of the questions, and
many of the questions he refused to an
sWer at all. At other times he was re-
buked by both Mr.. Moss and Chairman
Mazet for what they termed "imperti-
nence"
After Mr.. Freedman's examination had
progressed to a certain point and the
witness had refused several times to an
swer a question which he deemed per
sonal matter" Mr.. Moss excused him for
the day. Mr.. Freedman then got down
from the stand, and, turning to the news
paper reporters, he handed them pa
ner. saying Gentlemen of the press,
here is a statement of the entire busi-
ness of the Platt Company and Allen
Companies for publication"
Henry NJ Mcdonald, the nominee or the
Chicago platform Democracy for Governor at
the last State election, was the first wit
ness: ,..,,,,o5,a oor,eo+ed with
the affairs of the Flushing Gas Company"
McDonald stated that he had. He stated
that William b. Burnett, director or that
gas company was an associate of his, and
from him he learned various facts Mcdonald
the beginning of 1898, and that Henry ].
Braker. a member of the Democratic Club, and
building. and another man purchased the first
mortgage bonds of the company and were
made directors Soon after this, Mcdonald
said the Flushing Company endeavored TO OBJ
tain a contract from New York City, under
administration OF Mayor Van Wyck, but was
Finsfy II was arranged by Mr. Drawer with
Mr. Croker that the stockholders of the COM
many should turn over to Andrew Freedman
90 Der cent of the stock of the company, to
be held for the benefit Of Mr.. Croker and Mr..
Freedman. ,,o..
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. Croktr
and Mr.. Freedman was that as soon as possible
the company would receive contract ct for at
least 500 additional lights, possibly 1000 addi-
tional lights. Now to whether Mr.. Croker
had carried out his contract or not. don't
know"
Andrew Freedman was called. He held
stock in the Flushing Gas Company, but re-
fused to state the amount on the ground that
it was a personal matter. He denied that
after he went into the company it was allowed
TO supply gas to light more lamps in Flush
ing I'VE are" said the witness. supplying
less now than previous to my going into the
company" Mr.. Croker, he said. knew moth
ing whatsoever about his holding stock in the
company. Mr. Freedman said he was con-
nected with the United States Fidelity Guar
antee Company. He said he had nothing to
do with politics. Mr.. Croker had never as
sisted him in getting stock in any corporation
unless he himself had paid 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 Com