New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-28
WORK FOR Mr.. MOSS.

Mr. Moss has begun work again with the
Mazet Committee, but 1t Is difficult 10 uhder-
stand the patience with which he continues 10
hear the responsibility for an investigation
which he cannot make thorough. or from wflch
he has to let himself be "caed off" every time
II approaches too near the operations OF TIE
committees friends. His unwillngness TO as
sert his independence and answering devotion
n thorouchness without fear or favor before
election can be understood If not commended.
He naturally did not wish TO force an issue
which might put the committee in an even
more unfortunate light before the people than
II was He preferred to get what he could
which would be useful for reform legislation
and secure a Republican Legislature. instead or
nushinq straight along the path he had marked
ont even at the risk of soaring some Republl-
cans to protect themselves to the possible INJURY
Of the party. Now, however. all reason for such
caution is passed. Mr.. Moss is assured OF
Republican Legislature The organization IS
fully committed to reforms in this city, ana
cannot possibly fail to consider his revelations
and seek remedies for the evils he has exposed
He has a free hand, and it is his duty 10 MIN
self to his professions of impartiality, to thrust
his probe into the bipartisan combinations LOT
harmonious work at Albany and in New-IorK
which he knows are responsible for some OF the
greatest evils of our city government.
Mr.. Moss started to expose the telephone
monopoly. Why did he stop? He knows that
Mr.. Plat has for years protected 1t at Albany
He knows how TO find the proofs OF Mr.. Pla't :
activity in that direction. He knows now MI
Lauterbach looks after the interests OF the teIe-
phone people, who are so carefully secured III
practically exclusive possession OF the con-
duits by Tammany. And perhaps he could
find out how much political contribution IL
costs some people in the telephone business 10
square" every power which might enable the
neople TO secure telephone competition or low
rates without competition. Why did Mr. Moss
so suddenly steer away from this subject!
Mr.. Moss is no stranger to the BlackwelPs
Island Bridge scheme In fact, he revealed It's
nature pretty clearly last summer. Unfortunate
" he did not show who would benefit If it went
through. 1t is about time that he took 1t up
again and showed us all the steps taken to OBJ
tain a gift from the Legislature in Albany and
sell it to Tammany in New-York. He also one
day in the examination touched on a most
savory enterprise to turn the waters OF New
town Creek into Flushing Bay. We don't re-
member IL any or the committee scoWleu 1T ina
chance stroke, but nothing has been heard OF II
since.
It is also about time for Mr. Moss to end MT
Lauterbach's and Mr.. butchers playing wltn
the committee. They have defed 1t quite as
outrageously as Mr. Croker ever did. Early
in the investigation Mr.. Moss promised the pub
lie who looked at him inquirngly when Mr.
Croker said, "Why don't you call PlattF tha'
he would call Mr. Plat when he had reason &c
believe him pertinent witness He was not a
that time, and The Tribune upheld Mr.. Moss
in refusing TO call him. For long time no"
however. he has been a pertinent witness, anC
Mr.. Moss will not deny it, Ramapo has beer
traced TO his door, Possibly the founding Il
uniustly placed there but there 1t is and there
| it will remain unless Mr. Moss carries the IN
vestigation further Mr.. Platt's anxiety not t(
| omen the door. as If afraid the creature mlgh
find Itself at home inside, is even more sus
picious than the evidence which points to hin
| as a proper subject Of inquiry.
Why does not Mr. Moss take up these sub
iects where he left them off? What is to pre-
vent? We are not prepared to believe that h
is afraid Of Mr. Plat. Much less that he de
sires to protect any wrongdeing. We have re
parded him as an honest and courageous man
and we desire to warn him against giving tn
people of this city grounds for any other belief