The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1899-04-16
WaS Reticent When Moss MaSe
Inquiries as TO HIS Finan-
cial Standing.
HE is NOT WORTH S1,OOO,oOO
AHd Denies That He Was Given Stock
In the Auto-Truek Company IN
Return for Influence.

NEW YORK. April 15.-The Mazet IN
vestlgation committee this morning had
Richard r. Foster on the witness stand.
Foster Is In the wholesale and retail ice
business. The object in calling Foster
was apparently to psove alleged dlscrIm-
ination by the city government In favor
OF the Consolidated Ice Company. His
testimony was uninterestlng. Peter F.
Meyer was the next called.
Meyer replied to questions regarding
his auction business. but impaired no in
formation regarding judicial sales. He
did not, he said. take Croker into partner
ship to get the benefit Of the latter's rep
utation and influence. He was not off,
ciaily connected with the organization
known as Tammany Hall Meyer admit
ted that Croker had him appointed 10 the
dockyard board. but corrected himself
by saying he was appointed by Mayor
Van wyck.
Croker was then called. Are you will
ing to make a proposition that II dis
honorable money or dishonorable trans
actions are laid at your DOOR You will
part with your fortune and lIberty?'
asked Mr.. Moss. Yes" said Croker
Croker declined 10 talk regarding his
financial circumstances when he returned
from Europe in l@1. 1t was. he said. his
personal affair. The same reason was
given for refusing TO answer the question
II he had given his son Frank $1,000 to go
into the Roebling Construction Company
With warmth Croker added:
III you can destroy that boy and not
allow him TO go into business, suppose
you will do so. Go on and examine Mr.
Platts firm and hnd out what his boys
are. II you want to be honest you go and
examine the people who brought you
here to examine US. Go and examine his
firm. They are the foundation of all
the corruption in this city. Bring their
books here"
"You make matter in any way pertin-
ent to this inquiry and will examine 1t,
said the lawyer,
"The committee will throw it on" re-
torted the witness.
"The people put US in charge OF tine
city departments and We are responsible
TO them. Find anyone in the city de-
partments doing wrong and will be one
of the first to get them out"
Croker said there were no state senators
present at the Tammany Club dinner
Thursday because their place was in Al
bany at their business.
And you told them so, didn't you?"
asked Moss.
yes" said the witness.
And they obeyed you?'
Il think they did" said Croker.
Have you since January been short
1000 shares of Manhattan stock?" asked
Moss.
Croker declined to answer that or any
other questions bearing on that subject
Croker refused to tell OF his relations
with companies.
I've have a right to know how man
that controls municipal actions Is able
to 20 and put his hand on business men
and put their stock in his pocket for
nothing. You dare not say that you
have not done 1t. do your said Moss.
Dare" said Croker. his eyes flashing
Then in quleter tones, he added; mo, |
won't tell my private affairs" And Moss
said:
"You dare not. Is not it fact, Mr.
Croker. that. simply because you are lead
er Of Tammany Hall, and because, as
such leader. you control the city depart
ments, you have been taken into the
auto-truck company and given a large
amount Of stock to secure your infiu-
ence?"
Croker laughed. mo" he said. "You
are away on" Croker said that he was
a practical locomotive builder. He was
not worth million dollars. Croker de-
clined TO answer when asked if he was
not given $4,000 of auto-truck stock
without the payment Of dollar.