Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-20
Amused at Bryan's Reported
Willingness to Run Again.
TRIES TO AVOID POLITICS
Returns to New York After an Alb.
sence of Four Years.
Expresses Much Interest in the
Effect of the Hughes Anti
Gambling Law.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star
NEW YORK, November 2O.-After an
| absence of four years from the coun-
| try and six years leadership of Tammany
Hall, Richard Croker returned to the city
today, a passenger aboard the Cunard
steamship Lusitania. On the voyage
across from his home in Ireland he was
accompanied only by his daughter Ethel
and two nieces.
Mr.. Croker was met at quarantine by
few personal friends and a large num-
ger of newspaper men. He looked the
picture of health. and said to all inquirers
that he never felt better in his life, that
on the voyage over he was able to eat
anything they could serve on the ship.
| He was in jovial and joking mood, es
pecially with the newspaper men with
| whom he was acquainted when he was
chief of Tammany. He threw up his
hands at the outset and said: Il won't
talk politics: don't ask me-
First he was asked:
Did you learn by wireless on your way
across that Mr.. Bryan had announced
that he would again be the democratic
candidate for President If the party want
ed him?''
Makes Croker Laugh.
Mr.. Croker's eyes began to twinkle.
First came a broad smile and then he
broke into the heartiset kind of laugh,
laughing until his sides shook, as he re-
Piled: Did he really say that?"
The next question of political signifi-
canoe was: ''Mr. Croker, do you think
that Tammany can elect its candidate for
mayor next year?"
Quick as a flash the face of Mr.. Croker
became grave, as he answered in a low
tone of voice. Ask me something easy"
In reply to repeated questions Mr.. Gro
ker said that he was out OF politics for
good and that nothing could induce him
to resume the leadership of Tammany. He
refused to answer any question relating
to the present internal conditions of the
organization: but every person In the par
ty meeting Mr.. Croker at Quarantine sat
up and took notice when he announced at
the outset of his conversation that he in
tended to remain in this country until
next May and would probably return later
next year.
Will Live in Ireland.
81 shall never cease to be an American
Citizen said Mr.. Croker, but L shall
not again return to this country for per-
manent residence. The air of Ireland is
the finest in the world, and shall con-
tinue to live there. 1t would be good
thing for that country If more Irishmen
would go back there to live. But the
country is improving al a rapid rate. Po-
litical conditions there are better an
there is less emigration from the coun-
try"
Mr.. Croker said he would spend two
or three weeks in this city, living at the
Democratic Club. and would then go
south or to California for short time.
Later he will return to this city to re-
main until some time in May.
All kinds of questions were asked Mr.
Croker to induce him to say something
Of the result of the last national election.
He refused to answer any Of the ques-
tions and his sudden OutburSt OF laugh
ter when told that Mr.. Bryan was willing
to run again was the only incident that
occurred to indicate his opinion or view
of national politics.
Interested in Racing Question.
He asked many questions of the men
who were trying to interview him about
political and business conditions in this
city and state He seemed greatly in
terested in the question of racing and
wanted to know if the Hughes anti-race
track gambling law would end racing in
the state. One man In the party replied:
The law may be repealed"
BY another Administrations" asked Mr.
Croker. with a smile.
He said in the course of his conversa-
ton that If he went to California during
the winter and races were going in
that state he certainly would attend them
And then, as If speaking in reminiscent
mood, Mr.. Croker said:
"Tammany Hall always stood for liberal
laws, but strict enforcement of laws
that existed"
Mr.. Croker was easily the star pas
senger aboard the Lusitania Every one
seemed to know him and many of the
passengers, including Englishmen, spoke