Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-05
GROUT-[0WC0LL0QUY
Mayor Does No t Remember
Any Second Interview.
ISSUES A STATEMENT
CONTROLLER THEN TURNS HIS
GUNS ON MR.. CUTTING.
Charges Him With Remarkable
Change of Sentiment and Incon-
sistency in the Matter.
ISSUES A STATEMENT

NEW 1OHN, oClODeT O-ll IS ueliIco
again today that Controller Grout and
President Fornes of the board of aldermen
will voluntarily withdraw from the fusion
ticket. The complication that has arisen
over the acceptance by them of the demo-
cratic Endorsement remains the main fea-
ture of the political situation in Greater
New York. and the fight for and against
them is being actively waged. From demo-
cratic sources came the suggestion that the
position of Grout and Fornes could be
strengthened by withdrawing entirely from
the fusionist movement, and going over en-
tirely to the democratic party, and Leader
Murphy of Tammany, who managed the
coup under which they were indorsed, was
urged to see Grout and arrange this mat
ter. The plan involved the acceptance of
full-fedged nomination from the democrats
and a positive lineup against the fusionist
movement during the campaign. 1t was
said that Leader Murphy favored the plan,
but today Luke d. Stapleton legal adviser
for Grout again avowed the intention of
his client to resist the erasure of his name
from the fusionist ticket.
Question of Memroy.
1t is down to a question of memory and
veracity between Mayor Low and Con-
troller Grout as to the formers knowledge
of the latter's plan to accept democratic
Endorsement. The mayor in rejonder to the
last letter of the controller says he has
no recollection of a second conversation
about the democrats indorsng Grout. Here
is what the mayor said:
Il have read the controllers statement,
and l have no recollection whatever of
any such second conversation in my office
as he speaks Of. When everything has been
said that can be said, the facts remain that
until my conference with Mr.. Grout and Mr..
Fornes, on last Monday evening, l had no
appreciation Of any change in their attitude
of antagonism to Tammany. When l then
realized, for the first time, that neither of
them was any longer ready to enter upon an
aggressive anti-Tammany campaign, it
seemed to me a situation that Vitally con-
cerned those who placed us all in nomina-
ton. I, therefore. put the matter before
their representatives and left it in their
hands. Mr. Cuttings action followed. I
must decline to enter ito any further con-
troversy, but cannot help resenting an at
tempt to represent approving a
course that 1 never contemplated as pos
sible."
Controller Grout made another contribu-
ton to the campaign of pamphlets today.
1t was a letter to r: Fulton Cutting, chair.
man of the Citizens Union committee, dis
cussing the so-called pledge of the Citizens
Union not to vote for any Tammany can
didate He takes direct issue with Mr..
Cutting, and asserts that the pledge does
not exist or, if it exists, it is violated.
Grout Attacks Cutting.
Mr.. Grout writes that the letter of Mr..
Cutting of the Sd instant shows most re-
markable change and inconsistency in
views"
OF his Endorsement by the democrats he
writes
IF this were taken sanely by the fusion
lists it would be a tower of strength to Mr..
Low, since it carries with it an Endorsement
of much of the record of this administra-
ton. This was your view publicly eX-
pressed week ago.
THAT was the view which you stated
even in your letter of last Wednesday,
That was even the view of Mr.. Low,
pressed to me a fortnight ago. But YOU
have since heard the partisan outcry of
Mr. Platt. Mr.. Woodruff, Mr.. Bruce. you
have surrendered to it, and you join in the
abuse of me-
Mr.. Grout asserts that he never had any
personal knowledge of the so-caIled pledge,
and asserts that the Citizens Union has
never lived up to it.
He instances the Endorsement of Judge
o Brien. Tammany democrat, two years
ago, and the Endorsement of Judge Bischon,
Tammany democrat, this year, and adds
Il say, sir, this so-called pledge of which
you speak does not exist and has not been
lived up to. If it does. But your assertion
of it now shows how near to Iepublicansm
your organization has drifted. Were this
rule to prevail Mr.. Platt would gain sew
eTdl dSSeInDlyIneH III the city OF New YORK
by aid of democratic votes. No wonder he
clamors for the enforcement Of such rule.
But the wonder is that you change your
own convictions and give way to him.
Murphy Denies Rumor.
Leader Murphy of Tammany today denied
that there was any intention to ask Messrs.
Grout and Fornes to get off the fusion tick
ct, or that they would be asked to leave
the democratic ticket. He said:
THE rumor that they will be dropped