New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-11-18
TESTS CROKER'S ZEAL.
EASY FOR TAAIIANY To DO EFFECTIVE
REFORM WORK IF IT DESIRES.

The movement for the suppression OF vice on
the East Side taken up by Bishop Potter and
his associates seems to have stricken the entire
Tammany municipal government with paraIy-
sis of terror Mayor Van Wyck hastened TO
assure Bishop Potter OF his cordial support.
Richard Croker in a IudicrousIy transparent ef-
fort 70 foresyaH the movement OF Bishop Potter
called the district leaders Of Tammany Hall to-
gether and harangued them in a theatrical way,
and ostenraciousIy ordered the closing OF the
dens If vice on the East Side and then sailed
away 70 Europe District Attorney Gardiner
hastened 20 the police courts yesterday and Sc
cured fifty warrants for places on the East Side
said 10 be violating the law. and declared that
every Illicit place would he closed. Chief Dew
cry sent out orders 70 every police captain and
subordinate that this fake" reform.
and that the places must clOse-at least TEN
porarily. Inspector Cross Captain HerIihy and
Captain Diamond. the police officials mos, cul-
pabIe. put the machinery q their commands In
motion 70 drive vice OF the streets and weed 1t
out so far as they could. 70 appease public opin-
ion. Richard Crokers- vice committee individu-
ally drew deep brea,hs and declared their inten-
ton Of prosecuting the crusade 20 the bitter end
bishop Potter and MS associates watched this
sudden activity ~ Tammany with amusement
and seemed 70 regard the moral wave that had
seized the Police Department and the municipal
government with Contemptuous huuOT. The
1udaCIty and impertinenCe OF the palpably in
sincere committee appointed by Richard Croker
in asking Bishop Potter 70 appear before il and
submit evidence only caused amused comment,
and the Bishop declared that he would have
nothing 20 do with the committee created By
Mr. Croker Bishop Potter and MS associates
watching this sudden activity OF the Tam
many government without comment. The
Bishop has submitted his He has the
necessary evidence. He has made request 70
Mayor Van WICK and he Mayor has assured
him that the request VIII be complied with
The Bishop Is now awaiting the fuIfIrent OF
that promise and he VIII not he deceived BY
any dust that Tammany may Try 70 throw in
his eyes or any insincere movement in the line
Of closing up these places u vice
BISHOP POTTER wARILY DECLINES
Richard Croker's vice committee VIII meet On
Monday morning al the Office Of Lewis Nixon
The meeting. aside from executive sessions will
he opeE to the public As John J Scanneu
declined TO serve on the committee his place
VIII be filed Monday by the naming Of "
Marley Pla1z-k An sfort viii De made 20 get
Bishop Potter DIT Parkhurs, and others 70 come
before the committee and submit evidence Il
palpab.e 30 the politicians yesterday thar
this a thtn,y disguised EFFORT 20 g-t Bishop
Potter and his associates to show rheir hands
and then TO discount and vitia,e anv evidence
they might submit Bishop Potter Yesterday
pointed out thar this committee fathered nv
the Tammany organization had an even better
chance TO get evidence than ne or his associates
had and he awaits the result of their lnvest.ga-
tions This places them in a bad plight Dis
dained by Bishop Potter and his associates they
must probe 10 the bottom, dig up evidence and