The New York herald., 1922-05-01
TELLS CROKER PLOT
AGAINST ROOSEVELT.
Depew Amazed by Message
Secretly Trying to Dictate
G. O. P. Nomination.
RULED CITY LIKE A KING
How Tammany Chieftain Was
Able to Foil Foes in His
Own Organization.

Own Organization.
How Richard Croker attempted secretly
to block the nomination of Theodore
Roosevelt for Governor In 1898, just
after Mr.. Roosevelt's triumphal return
from the Spanish war. was related for
the first time last night by Chauncey NJ.
able incident" that ever occurred be-
tween him and the former Tammany
boss.
1t is an interesting commentary on
the character of man. all-powerful in
his own party. who sought by indirect
means to control the policies of the
opposing party for his own ends. Croker
had every reason to fear the intense
popularity of Roosevelt at the time and
with his political sagacity saw the de-
feat of the Democratic nominee If the
candidacy was given to Roosevelt.
Therefore, nothing must be left undone
to defeat the purposes of the Republican
party.
Il had but one disagreeable time with
him." said Mr.. Depew, in genial quail.
fication of the praise he had bestowed
upon Mr.. Croker as a fearless leader
and a square opponent, land this is the
way it came about:
The Republicans had decided that
Col. Roosevelt was to be nominated in
the State convention, and the Colonci
had asked me to be a delegate and to
make the nominating speech. l told
him I would be very glad to do so, and
the fact was instantly published. I was
then president of the New York Central
Railroad
"One day before the convention met
Senator Patrick McCarren of Brooklyn
came into my office and said L have
message for you which, personally.
/ am ashamed to deliver. Mr.. Croker
has sent me to say to you that if you
make that speech nominating Col. Roose-
welt in the Republican convention ne
will resent it on your railroad"
Aware of Croker's Power.
II said: Senator McCarren. / have
Gone my best to make every man in the
employ of the railroad a citizen with the
same rights as any man in any other
business. So far | have succeeded, and
il is so understood among railroad men
that they can have their political con
v:ctions just the same as other men, and
know MIR. Crokers power and the in
jury he can do the road.
"'You can say TO him that I am
amazed at such message coming from
man 1 have always found to be a
square fighter, as this is a blow below
- hnI n
sLeech, but before / make it shall re
slen as president and director of the
New York Central Railroad. And wher
put Mr.. Roosevelt in nomination be-
fore the convention of the State OF New
York will then say why I resigned
MIR. McCarren replied that it would
Leat the ticket, and / replied j knew
IL would, but it would vindicate my
manhood. Senator McCarren returned
IL short time and said: Mr.. Croker
wishes you to forget that message. His
own words were: 1T is withdrawn.
r-as very badly advised
THAT ended the entire incident" Mr..
I,epew added, land I have never mem
toned it from that day to this"
Turning to the never failing topic of
ri. Croker's personality and power Mr..
Depew said:
"He was a king, and New York was
his kingdom. He was the absolute mas
ter of the city. such as ] don't believe
could ever exist again, and the Mayor
and the heads of the various city de-
partments recognized him as the abso-
Lutte controlling power
II said to him once: You naturally
feel responsible for the conduct OF the
city government. How do you know
that things are being properly man
;0I rv1 I..rtr.
to the City Hall every day and go
through the departments and see what
is going on. OF course. I get many COM
plants, and when ] do | investigate
them, and IL find any one at fault
take them to task.
"Once, when ] suggested that there
must be innumerable conspiraces being
plotted to overthrow his power, he re-
piled Yes, there are combinations con-
stantly being formed, but when the con-
spirators or rebels reach as many as
Ave somebody always gives them away,
and then | have no trouble"
No Future Dictator Likely.
"The absolute domination of one man
could not occur again." Mr.. Depew said
tnoughtfully. because there Is more
public opinion and more independence.
Any leader that would attempt TO die
tate In that manner now would be de-
throned."
''IIe was an exceedingly able and
forceful leader, and the railroad had 10
recognize him as the ultimate controlling
power just as did the Mayor and the
city officials. Ills outstanding charac-
teristics were his intense loyalty 10
those who were loyal to him and his
quick punishment Of those who were un-
faithful. And he was perfectly fair.
When he thoroughly understood a subject
and made up his mind about it he did. or
had the city do what he thought was
right
"Of course. he didn't always do what
I thought was right between the city and
the railroad. but 7 always had absolute
faith in the honesty Of his judgment. He
was always a fair opponent and never
attempted to take undue advantage cx-
cept in the case I have just cited"
Mr.. Depew and Mr. Croker were not
personal friends they were separated by
party lines and by social tics, so the two
rarely met except when "Mr. Croker
would drop into my office for what he
would call "a friendly chat but what
really was a scouting expedition for in
formation. lie used to pay calls of this
kind on the prominent men of the day.
the bankers and lawyers and In that
way kept In close touch with everything
that was going on in the city in other
fields than the political
"He was one of the strongest men ply
81, ,o1f f.- t,. VArlr H.