The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-15
INVESTIGATE PLATT,
DEMANDS CROKER.
Tammany Boss Takes Charges
Against Republican Leader--Re-
fuses to Answer Questions.

n member of the Contractors supply
company or that Richard had ever got
any money from him Cthe witness) to
so into the company.
did you give your son Frank "a
check of $1,000 90 go into the Roeb-
ling Building Construction company? p
asked Mr. Moss. Mr.. Croker declined
TO answer on the ground Of personal
business"
Mr.. Moss was persistent regarding
the payment OF this $1,000.
Finally Mr. Croker said: while my
son has been i'm the Roebling Building
Company IL has never received con-
tract from the city so that IL does not
concern this committee at all. with
warmth Mr.. Croker added: Il have the
utmost confidence in that boy, and If
you can destroy him i'm the city. as you
are working TO do.-this committee, II
seems. has made a set against my two
sons--and IL you can destroy him and
not allow him TO go into business, /
suppose you will do So"
Mr.. Moss II hardly think that state
ment is justified"
Yes. it IT," rejoined Mr.. Croker. "Go
on and examine Mr. Platt's firm and
find out what his boys are in. IL you
want TO be honest. You go and examine
the people who brought you here to ex-
anime us
Keep cool Mr.. Croker" interjected
Mr.. Moss.
Il am just as cool as you are" came
the reply.
THAT is the gentleman-Mr Plat
who puts you here TO examine us. You
go and examine his firm. They are at
the foundation OF all the corruption In
this city. / say that there IL more corr
ruption i'm that firm today and il Is
run by all or mostly all the corpora
tions In this city-there is more corrup-
tion in that firm than any where else.
You go and examine that firm, now TO
be fair. and bring their books here. :"
Mr. Moss said the matter Mr.. Croker
had spoken of was In no way concern
ed with the local government. You
make that matter i'm any way pertin-
ent 10 this inquiry and ! VIII examine
into it," said the lawyer.
The committee will throw il of,
retorted the witness.
"You need not throw out any BUNS
at all, Mr.. Croker" said Mr.. Moss.
You need not throw any bluns az
me" snapped Mr. Croker.
II am under no retainer FOR Mr..
Plat" declared the lawyer
You are looking for IL now, by your
examination here" said Mr.. Croker
when this matter goes TO the legis-
lature YOU expect to be paid and Platts
firm is TO have IL paid" Mr. Croker
said no man would disclose all his pri-
Vate affairs.
Continuing to talk OF Senator Platt,
Mr.. Croker said:
MIR. Platts firm Is taking all the
corporations by retainer. They could
not get the city departments; the peo-
pie would not give IL to them. The
people put us I'm charge of the city de-
partmcnts and we are responsible TO
the people for them. You find one OF
the city departments or any one in the
city departments who is doing wronr
and tell me and will be one of the first
persons To help TO get them out
"How about you, Mr.. Croker?' asked
Mr.. Moss.
IF | have done wrong In the city de-
partments. or If | have done wrong at
all. the city departments VIII discover
IT, | would not last ten days II j ana
wrong" declared the witness.
Mr. Croker said he was not afraid of
convicting himself or of incriminating
himself but thought there was no law
or reason for Mr.. Moss 90 come down
here and examine into his private i'f-
fairs.
Mr. Croker said there were no state
senators present at the Tammany Club
dinner on Thursday night, because
their place was at Albany. at their
business
And you told them SO. didn't you?''
said Mir. Moss.
yes" said tho witness.