Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-09-16
Daily 4 ennebec 3oprnaL.
MOSS ANSWERS.
Gives Out Statement Answer
ing Boss Croker.
Says Reference Didn't Mean Him.
Scores Croker and Van Wyck.
Municipal Ownership Chief Subjec, Of Mazt
Investigations Attention. Friday.

New York, Sept. 15.-Former Judge
John Dillon was the first witness be-
fore the Mazet committee. today. In
his opinion the powers conferred upon
the board of public improvements by
the city charter were not only harmless
but necessary. He believed the charter
should be changed so that the mayor S
term of office would be two instead of
four years. Former Mayor Wurster of
Brooklyn. testified that the water sup
ply of Brooklyn was insufficient. 1t is
absurd" he said, that an act of Legis-
lature prevents the city from going to
Suffolk county. where 80. 200, 900 gallons
of water IL day could be obtained"
Albert j. Steward, a fireman. said he
had been reduced from the rank of en-
gineer on charge of absence without
leave. His absence was for only 10
minutes to get sandwich. He had re-
fused to make a contribution just be-
fore election. last year. The contribu-
ton had been solicited by two of his
superior officers but he could not re-
member well enough to give their
names.
Maurice +. Holahan. president of the
board of public improvements. testified
Il
leader did not at all encroach upon his
official duties. He denied that the
Ramapo contract had been introduced
in the board of public improvements by
him.
Mr.. Holahan stated that he was in
favor of municipal ownership and would
be glad to have the city build its own
plant if the comptroller could arrange
for the bond issue necessary to enable
such a thing to be done.
At this point the committee ad-
journed until Tuesday next.
AS the committee rose Mr.. Moss gave
out a statement in reply to the one by
Mr.. Croker, yesterday:
"Schooley was a lawyer who had
practiced for many years and whose
reputation | believed was good. l had
a bowling acquaintance with him. one
day he came into my office with man
whom he introduced as Joel Peterson
and asked me, as a notary. to take his
Acknowledgement to power OF at
torney.
Replying on his introduction, as l
had a right to do, | complied.This was
number of years ago. n long time
after Schooley was arrested under an
accusation of having stolen and nego-
tiated a. bond. 1t was charged that he
had negotiated it under this power OF
attorney which had been acknowledged
before another notary.
1T was called about a witness for
the state and testified to the facts be-
fore Justice Fitzgerald. the questions
being put by an assistant of District
Attorney Fellows. AT that time l was
counsel for the Society for the Pre-
yention of Crime, which was antagO-
nizing Tammany and the judge and
district attorney were members of that
organization. No comment or criticism
whatever was made on my testimony
by those officials. Schooley, being con-
victed. appealed and the opinion just
on that appeal and necessarily without
hearing me.
THE remarks at the end of the opin-
ion. concerning one of the notaries
were not applied to me. but to the other
notary. OF course. the utter failure
and unwilinguess of Mr.. Van Wyct
and Mr.. Croker to denounce and smash
the Ramapo contract are fully explain
ed and attoned for by an attack on Mr.
&6xain | am amazed at the stupidity
AO1 the men. who, when courteously
&0tven an opportunity to take stanc
Sr municipal ownership of the water
3npply, throw that chance away anc
link to fool the people by denouncine
heir interrogation.