Evening star., 1899-04-15
CROKER WARNS UP
Declares the Committee is Trying to
Ruin His Son.
he Is TOLD TO KEEP COOL
His Partner, Meyer, Positively Re-
fuses to Answer Questions.
INTERESTING TES MONY

He is in the wholesale and retail ice busi-
ness in this city. As he began to testify
Richard Croker, accompanied by his son
Frank, entered the court room.
The object of calling Mr.. Foster was ap-
parently to prove alleged discrimination by
the city government IN favor of the Con-
solidated Ice Company. His testimony was
uninteresting and unimportant.
Peter F. Meyer was then called.
He said he was a member of the dock
board He and Mr.. Croker were the only
members of the real estate firm.
Prior to the taking of Mr.. Croker into
your firm you did not have a great many
of the judicial sales, did you?" asked Mr..
Moss.
NO; but 1 made more money from other
sales, and got twice the money that 1 do
now," replied the auctioneer.
Mr.. Meyer Grows Sarcastic.
Mr.. Meyer said he made 100000 in twelve
months. More than you will ever make in
your life at this business" he added, speak
ing to Mr.. Moss.
Mr. Mazet interposed: You will confine
your answers to the questions and not vol
unteer information
Mr.. Moss sarcastically remarked: 1T does
not annoy me, Mr.. Chairman am per-
fectly willing to have this gentleman talk
as much as he pleases That is part of my
business
Mr. Moss asked If Mr.. Meyers object in
speaking to Mr.. Croker about going into
partnership with him was not to get the
benefit of Croker's reputation and infiu-
ence.
isfaction out of a certain party that l had
a little grudge against
Further h. would not explain.
Mr.. Meyer said his firm made about S3,-
100 a year out of the judicial sales. 1t was
small that did
anything about it.
Mr.. Meyer said that in an indirect way he
had approached Mr.. Croker in order to be
appointed dock commissioner. The witness
thought he could do better that way than
by speaking to Croker directly.
And he gave his consent didn't he?'
asked Mr.. Moss.
Il suppose he did by having me appoint
ed said the witness, carelessly.
He had you appointed, didn't hep Mr..
Moss smiled.
Mr.. Myer in q Trap.
'Yes-no, 1 got my appointment from the
mayor responded Mr.. Meyer, seeing the
trap into which he had fallen.
Mr.. Meyer said he was treasurer of the
Tammany Society. He had no official posi-
ton in the political organization known as
Tammany. The society was the old secret
society separate from the organization. Mr.
Meyer said he did not hold any stock of
the Consolidated Ice Company. He did hold
some year or two ago. He bought il in
the open market. Mr. Moss inquired with
so much curiosity and detail into this ice
transaction that Mr.. Meyer said:
Il won't answer you single question"
but Mr.. Moss wormed out of Mr. Meyer
that he might have bought the stock while
member of the dock board.
Mr.. Croker Recalled.
Mr.. Meyers examination was suspended
and Mr.. Croker was recalled.
Mr.. Moss recalled the witness assertion
yesterday that if it should be proven that
he had ever received any dishonest money
from the city he would allow his right arm
to be cut off.
Are you willing to make the proposition
that If dishonorable money or dishonorable
transactions are laid at your door you will
part with your fortune and part with your
liberty asked Mr. Moss.
Yes said Mr.. Croker.
That Is more to the point and more to
the purpose" replied Mr.. Moss smiling
Mr.. Croker said he was acquainted with
John Kelly. sometimes called Smiling
John Kelly. He denied that Kelly was
gambler. He did not know if Kelly was a
member OF the firm of Naughton & Com
pany, contractors.
rs not Mr. Kelly practically your repre-
sentative IN the firm of Naughton & Com
pany?' asked Mr.. Moss.
NO, sir, said Croker He had never re-
SNeI money from Naughton & Company
clrectly or indirectly. neither had any mem
Der of his family that he knew of.
Declines More Questions.
MY Moss said he understood Mr. Croker
MAD stated that when he returned from Eu-
rope in 1897 ne was substantially without
any large amount of means Mr.. Croker
Senied that the statement was true He
CecIined to answer whether in 1897 he held
stock in the Union railway. THAT is nv
personal affair."" said the witness bu+ ba
q hiS faro if,, h
IN the Roebling company at that time He
did not know that his son, Richard s was
member of the Contractors SUNNY Conn
pany or that Richard had ever got anv
money from him (the witness) to go into
the company. 0
DID you give your son Frank a check
Tor SiiNo to go into the Roebling Con-
cstruction Company" asked Mr. Mos
Mr.. Croker declined to answer On +ho
tpound OF personal business"
Later he said: while nv son has baar
IN lhe RoeohHS company it has never re-
celVed a contract from the city, so thar n
does not concern this committee AT ALI
With warmth Mr.. Croker added:
nave the utmost confidence in that
boy, and II you can destroy him in the CITY
as you are working to do-this COMMITTEE
IL seems, has made a set against nv t,yo
sons-and If you can destroy him and not
allow him to go into business 1 suppose YOU
Mr. Mazet.'I hardly think that state
es, II Is. rejoined Mr.. Croker $50 on
hIiu examine Mr. Platts firm and find out
what his boys are in, if you want to he
,,,nl nInest You go and examine the people
"D oioushi you here to examine u.s."
heep cool, Mr.. Croker" interjected Mr.
Attacks Senator Platt's Firm.
am Just as cool as you are" came the
feply. That is the gentleman-Mr- Plat
who puts you here to examine us. You go
ana examine his firm They are at the
foundation of all the corruption in this
city. 1 say that there is more corruntiop
in that firm today, and 1t is run by all. or
mostly all. the corporations in this state
there Is more corruption In that firm than
anywhere else You go and examine that
firm now, TO be fair, and bring their books
here"
Mr.. Moss said the matter Mr.. Croker
had spoken of was in no way concerned
with the local government ''Youfm that
matter in any way pertinent to this inquiry
Continued on Second Page.)