New-York tribune., 1902-06-12
CROKER REPUDIATED /.
TRIUMIIRS SAY THEY RULE;
HE SHALL NOT RETURN.
HAFFEN CARRIES POINT AGAINST HIS
ASSOCIATES-HILLS HAND SEEN
IN THE OUTCOME.


The advisory committee of Tammanr Hall is
sued last night what politicians regarded as a
most ludicrous statement. in which Richard
Croker is repudiated forever and the aspira-
tions Of any one of the triumvirs to the leader
ship of Tammany Hall ara effectualiy squelched
The issuance of the statement crowns with vic
tory a determined stand taken by Louis F
Haffen. President Of the Borough OF The Bronx,
and one of the trumvrs at the meeting of the
advisory committee on Tuesday morning At
that meeting Mr. Haffen delivered an ulti-
naturn to the effect that Mr.. Croker must be
cast aside, and the advisory committee made
the leaders of Tammany Hall in fact as we'll as
in Mr.. Haffen had been at the Hill love
feast in Albany. and 1t is said on excellent
authority that his move the result of a con-
ference with David B. Hill.
The statement was brought into the Fifth
Avenue Hotel last night by Thomas F. Smith,
secretary Of the Democratic Executive Commit
tee. II is follows:
There has been so much criticism and misrep-
resentation regarding the present status of the
leadership of Tammany Hall that deem II
proper state at this time precisely what is the
position OF the advisory committee on THIS SUP
ject
Let it be stated once and for all that Richard
Croker is not the leader in or of Tammany
Hail. and that he will never again be that
leader.
He has gone out and shall not return His
him having the highest capacity for
leadership are all agreed upon this.
The characteristic that made him specially
fitted for the place he used to fill was truthIul-
ness. He said TO the executive committee when
he indorsed the appointment of Lewis Nixon TO
the chairmanship of the finance committee that
he would never again enter Tammany Han as
the leader and we have taken MS word
The conditions that permitted individual iead-
ership have passed The executive committee
iyajf he
the real executive work of Tammany Hall. and.
with the information and advice OF all the other
members of that committee, we purpose to dl-
rect the affairs of the organization TO the beSt
Of our ability.
fare of the Democracy of the County OF Ne%-
York and in this connection we will consider the
advice of any true Democrat
II was Q o'clock when Mr.. Smith appeared
with copies of the statement. He was immedi-
ately surrounded by the newspaper men, who
piled him with questions. He declared that
there had been no friction. and that his delay
was occasioned by trip to The Bronx, where
he had gone to obtain Mr.. Haffen's signature TO
the document Mr.. Hafen then called up
on the telephone. His private secretary re-
sponded to the call and the statement was read
70 him. He took il down in shorthand and read
it to Mr. Haffen who made this reply:
THE statement is perfectly satisfactory TO
me and bears my signature 1t is the result of
a compromise-
AT the meeting Of the advisory committee on
Tuesday, according to report, there was good
deal of friction between Mr.. Haffen and the
other two members of the committee Mr..
Haffen delivered his utimatum and departed in
a huff He declared to his colleagues that they
must either issue a statement repudating Rich
ard Croker and indorsing ex-senator Hill for
the leadership of the State. OF accept his resig-
nation as a member of the committee. At the
meeting of the advisory committee yesterday Mr..
Haffen did not appear. At Tammany Hall 1t
was said that he detained in The Bronx by
a board meeting but those who familiar
with the situation laughed at this excuse NJ.
]. Gavan, representing Mr.. Haffen. was at Tam
MANY Hall with John A Mason. Mr.. Mason is
q close friend Of David B. Hill, and 1t was said
that he was on hand to urge Messrs. Murphy
and McMahon to accede to Mr. Hafen's de-
mands The statement given herewith was then
drawn up 1t contained no reference TO Mr..
Hill 1t was then read to Mr. Haffen over the
telephone and he agreed to it as a compromise
statement he having practically carried his
point
The hour was growing late. and as the state
ment had been promised to the public Secretary
Smith was instructed to proceed to The Bronx
with all possible speed. and have the statement
signed and delivered as possible. in or
der 70 avoid any suspicion of friction. Mr..
Smith bore A radiant smile when he entered the
corridor of the hotel.
THE story about a rupture In the advisory
committee is absolutely false, he declared.
o,rhere hasn't been the slightest friction"
.'Why was this statement issued?" he was
asked
why, people have been talking about abb
sentee leadership long that the members of
the advisory committee thought they'd better
set themselves right with the public he ex-
nIained This talk is going TO make thousands
of votes for u.s..
Did Mr.. Haffen demand that this statement
be issued ??
II don't think But 1 wasn't present
throughout the proceedings yesterday. /
In and out Of the meeting, and Mr.. Haffen may
have demanded 1t of the times when
vent out | don't know
= Bronx Democrat. who is close TO Haffen,
said Yesterday: Mr.. Haffen has made an iron
clad combination with Hill. and Is anx-
ions that the Tamrany Hall organization
shall hury the hatchet and establish har-
mony in the State. He will hereafter he Mr..
tJiII,s nersonal representative in the Tammany
orga nization and will bend every effort toward
Sroothing over the difficulties that have existed
between HilI and Tammany in the past don't
know what Hill has promised to Haffen but !
,rouIdn't be surprised If Haffen had his eve on
q nomination for some fat State office"