New-York tribune., 1909-10-20
WADHAAS ON "KNOCKERS'
Former Judge Says Things about
Tdnlmdny Candidates.

TITS not question OF politics; g is question OF
morals. Defame the fair name OF the cityl Why,
these the who are villifying the life of
the city," declared ex-Judge William II. Wadhams
last night TO the Mems League Of the Calvary Bap-
tist Church. when he had named over list Of pres
ent Tammany leaders and candidates.
William Harmon Elack the man responsible for
the Purity Dame" OF Long Acre Square, had
spoken before Judge wadhams. and though the
affair was not in any sense debate. the remarks
Of Mr.. Black concerning the knockers" of New
York brought quick response from Mr.. Wadhams,
after he told by the chairman that politics was
q free subject
Mr. Black laid most Of the blame the Bureau
Of Municipal Research. which he called "a financial
black hand to run down the city. so the bonds
could be bought at low prices by the contributors
Incidentally, he disclosed the fact that John F.
Calvin was ''the man behind" in the matter Of the
Purity Dame" he having contributed money for
an investigation which showed that the city in
years ha6 grown in population, in assessed value
OF property. in pOstcfhee receipts and many other
things. with q small increase in tax rate
Mr.. Galvin's object. said Mr. Black. to de-
terrnine for himself that New York was good
place. q better place than it was painted by the
knockers"
And having proved it TO himself, through his
efforts an association was incorporated which de-
cided to the statue in Long Acre Square.
mainly TO set people thinking
Mr Black went even further. and declared that
little group Of men who contributed TO the Bu-
/ keSeafcn because
made millions OF dollars out OF the resulting low
prices in the city's bond issues
There Is too much censure, too much knock
ing" concluded Mr.. Black. Let US make il that
any man who expects an enduring future in poll
ties must be for New York. and not Tsnoeker.'" I"
AID STILL THE CITY GREW
Mr. wadhams started In OH the figures fur
nished by Mr. Black, and with them demolished
most of the former speakers argument declaring
-.FFsL 70 hoz
the population 30 per cent in the last ten years.
Cant be keeping many people away. at that
rate he said. and then he gave few OF the real
reasons why the knocking" so deprecated by Mr.
Black was good for the city in the end. He con-
tinued:
What we need is less politics and more character
men who enrich themselves at the expense Of the
buted to by A8dre% crnegs ana men o S
type Of broad philanthropy. and that bureau was was
sdents 1r ripe pe tor Two borough
But even Tith the agures shown by that bureau.
Accounts those men had their chance to tel theii
doesn't remove people arbitrarily.
Prolonged applause greeted this statement. and
! It was time before Mr.. wsdhams could con-
tnue. then he said:
put thick which put on thin and thers
were defects N pavements sixty mine thousand
/
, Graft? Yes. AMI wherever there is graft there
IS suffering.
There were thirty-fve thousand complaints slur,-
bering ia the Tenement House Department at one
time during this present administration, and on
that, let me tel you little story:
TALE OF THE TENEMENTs.
There was poor man in fiat. with a child. and
he the friend OF Tammany leader There
was a dark room in that fat. and the child was
sick, and the doctor said. You must have a light
room, and air, for this child So the man made
complaint the Tenement House Departnent
But the landlord also knew the leader, he had
been 20 the Tenement House Department long be
plaint was hled-and slumbered. And soon tba
leader distributed tickets 20 his picnic but that
III. death OF a child-ked by graft OH YES
Tammany Is good 10 the Door!
And the rotten hose, sold TO the city by other
friends of TammanV leaders. how Tnuc, a.,
tailed? But they're good TO the poor!
Ana the mt school sites. and the white Slaves
yes, but they're good to the poor.
As Mr. Wadhams went into details on the school
sites and tile traffic In girls the room fun Of
men, was still. every man listening 20 every WORD
lie went
Foley, Indicted once for running a disorderly
house; ROesch, candidate for jusuce of the civ
Court, man who testified TO the Lexow COM
mittee mo, didn't own the house I iust TOOK
the money from the woman and told her ia
speak 10 the judge and see what I could do for
Court Justice, who was known the counsel Tor
the Thieves Trust"-these are the men who ara
detaming the fair name OF 9ur city. who are
vilifying the life Of our city Il Is not politics
IL Is question OF morals.
No one had any questions TO ask either man
when the addresses were ended.