New-York tribune., 1901-10-31
GLOOM AT THE WIGWAM.
CROKER REFUSES TO REPLY TO THE
NEW DIGS GIVEN HIM BY CON-
TROILER COLER

The Tanmany campaign managers from Richard
Croker down IN q state OF depression The
wfgwarn ,s shrouded IN gooTn and there 10 an air
OF apprehension hanging over the Shepard head
quarters IN the Hoffman House. Up at the hoss-
more where the nominees on the county ana
borough tickets have their headquarters. there Is
activity but little confidence. Croker maintains an
air OF stodity, but IN many ways he Taanifests MS
unensiness. He daily urges the district Leaders 10
greater efforts He personally supervises the issu-
ing OF literature. Autographs, posters and dodgers
He takes an interest IN the meetings. and Is work.
ing hard for HIS. ticket.
BY keeping in the background and showing Shep-
ard to the front Croker hopes TO save votes for
the Tamrnany ticket. He ir. however, beginning TO
realize what helpless and forlorn picture Mr.
Shepard presents to the public. Yesterday Gro
ker's ire aroused by statement that ne hdu
approved beforehand Mr. Shepard's speech In which
he referred TO interview with William 3. Dew
cry and denounced IL as being in bad taste croker
declared that he had not consulted with Mr. Shep-
ard about that at all Mr.. Shepard also declared
that Mr. Croker had had no hand in drafting the
rebuke 10 Devery.
The Tammany leaders spend most OF their time
abusing Justice Jerome and predicting that he VIII
run away behind his ticket. The whirlwind cam
paign the Justice has made has aroused the anger
Of the Tammany men. and they would give any
thing 10 defeat him. Word has been sent TO Tam
many orators and 10 district leaders to make ngt
specially against Jerome.
Croker would not comment yesterday on the sly
digs given him by Controller Coler in his latest
article on "Commercialism in Politics" Edward NJ
Shepard seemed obvious to the fact that many
people believe that Mr. Coler referred TO him IN
writing about candidates of good reputation, but
not "agressively honest" Mr.. Shepard would not
talk about the subject
Mr. Croker at the Hoffman House yesterday
greeted a number OF newspaper men.
'SWell 1 guess I'll have to interview you senue-
men this morning Is there a fusion man here;
one of them was pointed out ana MT croker
turned to him and asked: . .,r,
aFIVell. what do You say about the situation!
'I find the fusionists very cheerful on the quit
down there equally cheerful. So 1t is hard 10
say the reply. -,..
IYcll what Is your personal opinion or the situa-
fion?' asked Mr. Croker earnestly.
81 think IL is very good
Very good for whom?" asked Mr.. Croker
For the people" There a general laugh.
in which Mr. Croker did join.
''Charles Steckler says it's going TO be a land
slide for Low" ventured a reporter.
"a Low landslide said Mr.. Croker. yes very
low" - ,.os .,
cether for half an hour. Neither would tell the
subject of the conference. Mr.. Shepard 70 the
reporters said he felt quite himself physically.
one of the final ratification meetings to be held
under the auspices Of Tammany Hall Will take
place tonight in the Grand Central Palace ROD
ert B. Roosevelt will preside. Controller Coler
O. H p Belmont T. F. Grady, Colonel Asa BRO
Gardiner Register Fromme and many others nave
beeu ed