New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-16
THINGS CROKER WON'T TELL.
DEFYES MOSS ON PERSONAL AFFAIRS" PLEA-SAYS M
VESTYGATE PLATT


lights Of Tammany. The disincIination which
was displayed by John F. Carroll and Richard
Croker on Friday when before the Mazet Inves-
tigating Committee to answer any questions re-
lating to what they gllbly termed their per
sonal affairs" even more marked yes
terday when Mr.. Croker was recalled to
the stand. and his real estate partner.
Peter F. Meyer was examined upon the peculiar
circumstances which led to his firm receiving
more than two-thirds OF the emouments be-
slowed by the courts in the way OF judicial
sales.
What Frank Moss Is just now most anxious
to get at Is the solution Of the enigma which
has for so long puzzled the average New-Yorker
as to the source Of the large amounts Of money
which Croker. Carroll and others OF that ilk
known to possess. Where did they get IT," is
just az pertinent an inquiry at the present time
as It during the Lexow investigation SO
far In his efforts to unfold the secret Mr.. Moss
has been baked by the obstinate persistency Of
the witnesses in refusing to answer questions
bearing upon these matters Mr.. Moss has
demonstrated that the Tammany leader. from
being a person of impecunious condition, has
become a man Of wealth. a financial dignitary
In a certain class Of corporations and a large
owner OF stocks In various potential concerns.
subsistence and admitting that he is at present
in no saaried position, is also a man Of anu
ence while Peter F. Meyer. who a few years
ago was a member of an obscure real estate
firm. has so far succeeded In improving his
worldly standing that. az he said yesterday, he
can now count his profits not in hundreds or
thousands but in the hundreds Of thousands.
Mr. MOSS WANTS TO KNOW.
Mr.. Moss is inquistive enough to want to
know how II is done. BY many and devious
questions he has endeay ored TO probe the al
chemic secrets Of Tammany Halls luminaries.
But so far he has been baked at every step be-
cause of the refuge which Mr.. Croker and his
colleagues profess to find in the alleged lack Of
Jurisdiction Of the committee to inquire into
their personal affairs" Mr.. Moss, however.
is bent on throwing some light or the problem,
and he expressed himself yesterday as being
confident OF finding the means.
He has by no means done with either Mr..
Croker or Mr. Carroll yet. The latters con-
tempt In refusing to obey the direction Of Chair
man Mazet TO answer the questions put to him
by Mr.. Moss is to be reported to the Assembly,
and undoubtedly some steps will be taken TO
force him to atone for the insolent attitude he
probable. also, that Mr.. Croksrs defiance may
delay bis sailing for Europe. He intended to
go on Tuesday. but upon the adjournment Of
the inquiry yesterday Mr.. Moss handed him
another subpoena compelling his attendance to-
morrow, and It is likely that this process will
be continued until he sees At to enIighten the
committee to a greater extent than he has
hitherto done
CROKER AND TELEPHONE MONOPOLY.
Croker's obduracy. however. landed him In a
tight place in the last few moments Of his ex
animation. Mr.. Moss had elected from the
witness that the representatives OF a syndicate
of capitalists among whom were John jacob
Astor. inten: upon forming a new telephone
company TO supply service In this city. came to
him with a view OF obtaining his influence tow
ard aiding the passage of ordinances by the
Municipal Assembly whereby the company
might be allowed to operate. Counsers ques-
tioning OF Mr.. Croker as 10 the result OF these
negotiations was particularly searching The
Tammany leader was practically made to con-
fess that despite the professed opposition OF
Tammany TO monopoles he gave little encour-
agement to the establishment Of competitor
to the monopoly enjoyed by the New-York
Telephone Company Mr.. Moss endeavored to
show that Mr. Croker was not altogether disin-
terested in efforts that were made TO keep the
new company from obtaining a footing in this
city.
In point Of fact. Mr. Moss attacked the witness
directly as to whether or not he had been
bought over by the New-York Telephone Com
pany. Mr. Moss bluntly asked the witness II
he had not received money, or made an agree
ment with Charles r. Cutler president OF the
New-York Telephone Company. to receive
stimulated sum of money for five years In con-
sderation Of placing obstacles In the path OF the
new company Mr.. Croker grew exceedingly
confused under the hot broadsides OF questions
that were fired at him. At the outset he de-
cned to answer the question. on the stereo-
typed excuse OF personal affairs" then ne said'
in a half hearted manner. that he nad never
received money from Mr. Cutler or MADE any
agreement with Mr.. Cutler for the receipt OF
money. and then. when Mr.. Moss sought TO pin
him down to specific denial. he squirmed In the
witness chair and refused either to deny or
to affirm the accusation
Mr. Moss began the attack by asking MT
Croker II his turning down OF the new telephone
company was because the New-York Telephone
Company had after they heard OF the matter
also opened negotiations with him. Mr.. Croker
said It was not, but idea OF the unhappy
position into which Mr.. Moss led him is best
obtained from the following verbatim report OF
Mr. Mosss questions and Mr.. Croker's hating
answers:
o.-Didn't you have any conversation about that
lime with the representatives OF the New-York
Telephone Company! A.-No not that Know or
" oven I am asking you when it was. You re-
ali IT: when was It, Mr.. Croker these people
,aiiede Al cannot tell what date; there was
some talk there is talk every day, about hfty
kinds OF telephones =, ,.., a. ,a.rs, |
Say Il was within five years. and probably you
,sn figure Il out closer. Al remember there was
,ome talk about telephone three or four years ago
O-And the New-York Telephone people came 10
,otf? Al don't remember that. -
O.-Don't you remember the New-York Ieie,,
,hone people found out about the starting up OF
he proposed new corporation? Al don't re-
member IT. . o,, y
lon't remember ~ =, a.. >,.,. vork
reiephone Company? Al decline 10 answer tna..