New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-30
GRAFT" UNDER. CROKER.
4. II. Le,r,s on The Boss and Hosc
He Came to Rule Ne7r-Tork.

Alfred Henry Lewis Who was on friendly terms
with Richard Croker several years ago and who
wrote a biography IF Mr. Croker is the author Of
The Boss and How He came TO Rnle Neu-York -
which Til be published to-day by : Barnes &
Co
Tho book is supposed to be an exposition has-d
on inside view. Of certain alleged methods
practised in municipal government under the rule
OF Tammany Hall Perhaps the most startling al
legations in Mr.. Lewis's book nut in nara tive
form. are 70 be found in his last chapter which
deals with what he calls the knee-deep clover Of
the Tax Department" Every year according 70
Mr.. Lewis. a valuation Of personal property OF
ss,C.l10oo" n in round numbers was made. within
three months afterward II would h. reduced TO less
than N.ooo"o.oco "on the word Of individuals who
made the law required oaths" The machine in
structed officers TO act without question on
the oaths furnished. and II is intlTnated tha I
if the property hesitated at perjury. why.
then. the town abounded IN folk Of daring easy
veracity.' and those whose bills were thus re-
duced contributed in prcporroa. 10 the welfare
Of the machine"
As showing what opportunities of riches Swung
open the machine. II is pointed out that the
whole annual expense Of the community was a bout
S25 ooaan Of which seoCo0oco for Official sal
aries and 100000 for supplies. the balance Of
100000. representing contracts for paving eull0-
ing. Against the s200oa.olo for salaries. the
machine. assessed annual private = per cent
and two-thlrds Of the 81 go r' accruing therefrom
found their direct way district leaders. the
other one-thrd into the general Golfer" Then the
county officers. judges. court clerks sherlfs ana
deputies were compelled to contribute not less than
per cent Of their yearly salaries.
OF the 100000 devoted supplies. says MT.
Lewis one-ffth. under guse OF commissions. went
to the machine while of the $1,000" repre-
sentng the yearly payments on contracts. the ma
chine received. AT the leanest of estimates.
fully per cent.
Next Mt Lewis tells 81 the organization OF a
guarantee company. which bonded officials. con
tractors and those who furnished supplies The
annual charge . per cent on the sum Suaran-
teed and the aggregate earned appToXlra 'ei
500 on 500 the graft was about s2on6H year.
being for the most part profit in the fingers of
the ma hine. Other '-riIIs to flow revenue
the writer considers too small mention although
the round returns from them might make a poor
man stare
Mr. Lewis Their comes to the hottomlandE N
proft and enune-ates faro banks. poolroous and
disorderIv' resorts on which the monthly charge
was from So 10 ,2Go each. giving an annual re-
turn o. sinnocO. saloons each of which met a
draft Of 300 month: great companies suing for
fa,-ors FIVE Of which sent tribute from sEl"''
to s5aon2 each. and about thousand small con
Germs and private persons contributing not less
than 8 80 noo Charges for appoin tment on the
police force began with s4Ho for = patroman. ana
rose % So.o9 in the case of a captain. Following
this recarituiatiou comes the warning that the
half been told.
FURTHER on a big railroad corporation is supposed
70 he referred 10 A. tho Blackberry. Tor ~nrh
assaults Of It's Park Department the Ftaitn oa
street Commits iOnnr. Coroner ana the corpora
ton Counsel finally hTtnsns the T0a1 70 The irgin
hatons of the police When the conStapu!iiaI! t.
memhered Law and order and the st bd 80
ended the Blackberry paid tribute 10 Inc eAueH'
81 81 600