New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-28
R. CROKER ASSA|LS
GAYNOR'S EULOG|STS
Ex-Tammany Leader Says Vice
and Crime Were Rampant
Under Late Administration.
A SIDE GLANCE AT HYDE
Says Late Mayor Loved Notori-
ETY. and Told Murphy Man He
Could Do Much Quietly
for Tammany.
rRy cahle 20 The Tribune !


London. Sept. 27-On receiving the
New York papers recording the death
Of Mayor Gaynor and the eulogles OF
prominent citizens, Richard Croker
was much angered, being moved 10
make a statement which is often a
violent attack on the late Mayor, COM
bined with a defence of c. F. Murphy,
Tammany Hail and his nephew, Ed
ward T. Croker, former chief Of the
Fire Department.
Mr.. Croker says that he knows many
will take offence at his statement, but
that he has never been afraid to ex-
press his sentiments when he believes
he is right The statement follows:
ION reading the New York papers OF
September II and 13. l see Mayor
GaynOr eulogized to the sacrifice Of
others Several items in connection
with his past are concerned with mem
bers of my own family. one paper
printed a statement regarding the evils
OF his administration which he over
came. among them being the resigna-
tlon OF my nephew, Chief L. F. Cro-
ker, through scandals | never knew
OF any except his own domestic af-
fairs, which were settled in court.
Fire Chiefs Salary.
IF these charges OF Tammanyizing
the Fire Department are true. why
was Gaynor anxious TO retain my
nephew's services as chief, raising the
salary from $4,000 to $1,000 II he
remained in office and on his retire
ment giving him the benefit OF the in
crease by giving him a life pension OF
$1,000? While my nephew was Com
missioner of the Fire Department in
New York there was never any politics
connected with the force and II was
always his policy 10 carry out my
ideas. and this was fulfilled up 10 the
time Of his resignation. He left OF his
own free will. having served the city
faithfully as q public servant two
years Over the time allotted for retire
ment.
"Vice and crime were never so great
in any administration as in Gaynor's
! often used to read his remarks about
Charles f. Murphy, saying what a
straightforward man he was and how
the people did not know or understand
him. What changed his opinion OF late?
While he could make use Of Tammany
power it was all right. but when he
failed 20 get the nomination ne turned
on them.
II dislike TO say anything OF those
who have passed away. but 1t is hard
10 know the inside and keep quiet. and
do know he told Murphy's righthand
man that he could do more for Tam
many quietly than If Tammany elected
its own man. He loved notoriety and
public office, and there is more sim
cerlty in Murphy's little finger than
there was in Gaynor's whole political
career
Republicans Among Police.
81 must have this opportunity OF
putting before the public certain facts
about the Police Department. All the
scandal Of that department was heaped
on Tammany. out Of thirty precincts
in nv time there were six out-and- -out
Tammany captains in the Police De-
partment. The rest were mostly up
state men put in through the influence
of the Republican state leaders.
"Tammany always gets credit for
ruling the Police Department. but this
is unjust in every way. Upstate Re-
nublicans threatened to pass state
bill. which would put the
in the power of the state.
The late Senator Grady. then minority
leader, reported TO me the bill contem-
plated. This was a strike on their part
for money l told Grady to acquiesce.
When II was seen that we favored 1t
the Republicans Immediately withdrew
the bill. We would gladly have. passed
Continued on second page. second column.