The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-04-07
RETIRE At SIXTY
IS CROKER'5 ADVICE
Has Conference With Metz,
But Disclaims Political
interest.

"Rich men stay IN the money-mak-
Ing game too Ions. When they stop
its generally too late-health gone
life robbed of its interest"
Richard Croker was talking to his
one-time protege, William Sulzer,
member of Congress from New York.
3n the lobby OF the willar- The Sage
OF Vantage was giving the younger
man an insight into the philosophy
which has guided his feet ever since
he laid aside the scepter Of chieftain-
ship IN Tammany Hall and departed
nearly FIVE years ago for his native
ireland TO live in ease and quiet away
from political storms; albeit to races
his horses against the best OF King
Edwards stables. A happy evening
20 a career like Richard Cookers.
Mr.. Croker was pointing out to Rem
sesentatfve sulzer the folly the average
American man of affairs IS guilty of In
the race for doliars--playing the game
TOO long. Mr.. Croker played the game
and won-then quit-turned his back on
Il at sixty, and now. as he tells It him
self. he Is content 10 live away from the
clash and clamor OF the worlds quickly
fhifting scenes. to fill the remainder Of
his allotted span with the full meaning
OF the Joy of life.
Give me my horses and my home
y lou can have your politics." continued
the man who not long since held the
Tontlcs OF New York In the palm of
of the big pond has taught me this
Americans die too young; they take no
time for leisure, and give but scant con-
BldeTation of the good things OF life.
ample, they'd not only pTOlong life. but
taste o. the things that are worth
You agree with John D. Rockefeller
poout the time to quit" was suggested
Yes" responded the Sage of Want
pge quietly. Mr.. Rockefeller dis
blsyed wisdom in getting OUT But he
stayed IN the game too long. The time
10 step out is at sixty years. A man
at that age Is not necessarily old un-
less he has abused his health. and amid
the proper surroundings there is not
reason why he should not add fifteen
years Of contentment to his term Of
Mr.. Croker viii leave washington for
New York tomorrow morning to be
present as the guest of honor at the
Jefferson Day banquet on April H.
Richard Croker and Metz had little
talk this morning. and then came down
on the lobby OF the Willard floor arm In
arm, to the great satisfaction of the
assembled politicians, who proceeded to
put two and two together. only to haye
New Workers. Notwithstanding all de-
mails. however. the story that Croker
looks with high favor on Metz was per-
sistently circulated among New York
people, and the political points OF the
Comptroller were being diligently APP
praised.
IT didn't mean any more than IL I
had said il OF any other good man"
said Mr.. Croker, when asked II any
significance was TO be attached to his
mention of Metz as a good man for
I7ayor. Il was asked what 1 thought
Of Metz, and said he would be an ex-
cellent man. which he would. I would
have said as much for a number Of
ether men If they had been suggested
TO me-"
Mr.. Croker protested that he Is not
concerning himself with city politics.
and that any stories which may receive
circulation indicating that he is taking
: part in r7aking a program may be set
down as baseless.
Mr.. Croker's talk about me didn't
mean anything, and neither did my talk
with him." said Mr.. Metz. when 1
came here on some tariT matters 1t
was without even knowing he was here.
! found his card in my hOx. and went 10
call on him this morning. That Is all
there is to IT The Democrats have got
10 get together and do business or they
might as well 90 out Of business. We
20 find out whether ti3ss is a party for
merely a party fer personal ends, IL
may as well retire There are plenty
Of good men for a united Democracy IN
New York to run for mayor: but II
must get together
Mr. Metz insisted that he didn't know
anything about any plan for hornony
arrangement by which Croker. Murphy
McCarren. and Mcclellan would unite
their forces in the effort to pull the
party into shape for victory In the
city campaign LAS for mayoralfty
there are good men enough; give Us
any OF them, 80 he isn't a LAWYER -
concluded Mr.. Metz. No lawyer for
that place"