The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-04-16
The Tammany Leader Has Another
Interesting Day
Before the Legislative Committee Invssti-
eating Municipal Affairs.
The Witness Turns Loose on His
Inquisitor, Questioning Moss
Integrity as President Of the
Police Board During Mayor
Strong's Administration.

NEW YORK. April 15.-The Mazet
Investigating Committee continued it's
sittiEgs to-day. The hearing took place
in the United States Criminal Court
room, scarcely large enough to accom-
mediate 300 persons. There were pres
ent eightyfour reporters and steno-
graphers, leaving little 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
There was an expectation that like
John G.. Carroll, his deputy, Mr.. Croker
would refuse to answer questions on the
ground that they related 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.. Cookers partner,
was present, having been served with
a subpoena.
Richard ]. Foster was the first wit
ness. He is in the wholesale and retail
ice business in this city AS he began
to testify Richard Croker, accompanied
by his son Frank, entered the court
Iroom.
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
seemed unimportant
Mr.. Moss called for George F. Cum
ming, Charles w. Morse Alfred Nelson
and other officers and employees of the
Consolidated Ice Company, but none of
them answered.
Peter F. Meyer was then called Mr..
Meyer replied to questions regarding his
auction business, but impaired no in
formation regarding judicial sales adj
ditional to what was brought out yes
terday. He did not, he said, take Mr..
Croker into partnership to get the bene-
fit of the latter's reputation and infiu-
ence, but to get satisfaction out of a
certain party that I had little grudge
against
Witness was not officially connected
with the organization known as Tam
many Hall, but was Treasurer of the
Tammany Society, an old secret society
of a social character.
Mr.. Meyer admitted that Mr.. Croker
had him appointed" to the Dock Board,
but he corrected himself by saying he
was appointed by Mayor Van Wyck TIe
and bought stock of the Consolidated
Ice Company while a member of the
Dock Board, but refused to go into de-
tails regarding that transaction, saying
that it was his private business.
There We're several sharp passages be-
tween Mr.. Moss ard Meyer.
Mr.. Meyer was excused, and Mr..
Croker was called.
Mr. Moss recalled the assertion made
by Mr.. Croker yesterday that if it
should be proven that he had received
dlshonest money from the city he would
allow his right arm to be cut off.
Are you willing to make the PROPOSE
ton that If dishonest money or dishon-
orable transactions are laid at your
door, you will part with your fortune
and win your liberty?" asked Mr.. Moss.
Yes" said Mr.. Croker
That is more to the point" replied
Mr. Moss
MI. Croker declined to talk regarding
his financial connections when he re-
turned from Europe in 1897 1t was, he
said, his personal affair. The same rea-
son was given about his giving his son
money to go into the railroad construc-
ton business.
While my son has been in the Roeb-
linger Company" said Mr.. Croker. .it
has never received a contract from the
city, SO that it does not concern this
committee at ALL
With warmth, Mr.. Croker said. "I
have the utmost confidence in that bow.
and if you can destroy him in the CITY.
as you are working to do-the commit
tee, it seems, has made a set against
my two sons-and if you can destroy
him and not allow him to go into BUSH
ness 1 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 hon
est. You go and examine the people
who brought you here to examine us.
That is the gentleman (Mr. PlatD who
puts you here to examine u.s. You go
and examine his firm. They are at the
foundation of all the corruption in this
lefty. I say that there is more corrup-
ton in that firm to-day-and it 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. Croker said there were no State
Senators present al the Tammany Club
dinner on Thursday night because their
place was. in Albany at their business.
And you told them SO. did YOU?
asked MIR. Moss.
Yes said the witness.
"And they obeyed your"
~ think they did, said Mr.. Croker.
Mr.. Croker admitted that he had
given instructions that Assemblyman
Redding ought to be reprimanded for
the Amsterdam grab.
Have you not since January 1st been
short 1000 shares of Manhattan stock
in one office at Broad street?'' asked
Mr.. Moss.
Mr.. Croker declined to answer.
Mr.. Moss said the questions about
Manhattan stock We're asked because of
the movements of the Tammany organ
ization with regard to the Manhattan
Elevated question: which are matters of
Federal knowledge, land which, said
Mr. Moss, will be proved at their
proper time"
) did you not sell Manhattan stock in
anticipation of an attack upon the Man
mattan Company? Did you know that
the departments of the city Government
were going to make an attack on the
Manhattan and Elevated road? Did
you consult with members of the city
Government, the heads of the depart
ments. in reference to actions against
1.-THE Manhattan Elevated Company?"