Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-06-11
VIENNA.
The Alleged "Irregularities."

NEW YORK, June 3-W. j. Still
man, writing to the Tribune from
Vienna, Austria, about the irregular
tiles in the American department of
the Exposition, tells the story of the
now old scandal ef restaurant corrup-
tlons "Jewett, of Jewett 4 Tracy,
New York, called on General Van
Buren iu October last and told him
that he intended to establish an Ameri-
can restaurant at the Exposition. Van
Buren replied that he had many ap-
plcants, Tom Cable and Sutherland,
of New York, among them; that he
had already made partial promise to
one Hitzel, of 30S Broadway, and sug-
! gested that Jewett and Hltzel unite
their resources, as he only wanted one
restaurant and good one. The sug-
gestion was adopted, and Meyer drew
up articles Of agreement, which were
signed, Meyer also signing it as wit
ness. These articles required and
immediate deposit of 81 900 from each
and another of $4,000 from each be-
fore June l. Hi1zel failed to make
his deposit in the time specified, the
bankers declining the check which he
presented. The partners went to Mey-
er to arrange the final details as to
concession, ETC., when Meyer said the
expenses of the commission were heavy
and that no appropriation had been
made by Congress, aud suggested that
they give him as a loan, the check
which had been rel jected at the bank.
Jewett refused, and was obliged to
sail for Europe without papers and
leaving the Hitzel deposit unpaid.
Meyer, however, gave Jewett letter
to Baron Schwartz Senborn, who in
formed him that Van Buren, had 40
right to make concessions or grant
space outside of the building for any
purpose Jewett's concession was
made, and contracts were entered into
involving $4,000. the understanding
being between Schwartz aud Jewett
that no other concession for restaur-
ant would be made. On returning to
New York, Jewett found that Hitz
had paid Meyer 81 900, to be returned
when the appropriation was made, but
he had got no memorand dum or receipt
for it. He also ascertained that Van
Buren, had made to Bochme & Wiele
concessions for two or more bar-rooms,
and was informed by one of the firm
they paid from $4,000 to $4,000 for
their concessions, in tie shape of loans
and school house donations, and that
part Of this went to Van Buren,. AS
Hitzel had not yet made the deposit
required by the contract, Jewett made
a proposition to buy out or sell out,
which Meyer as Hitzel's adviser, re.
fused, but he insisted on new articles
Jewett thereupon gave his late partner
notice of withdrawal. gave Van Buren,
a statement of affairs, and requested
that he be afforded the necessary facil.
tiles for transacting his business at
Vienna; but he was obliged to leave
America without further recognition.
Shortly after his arrival at Vienna,
Hitzel arrived with the concession for
a restaurant given him by Van Buren,
for himself and Mr.. Dennison, for
which they had given the $1,000
originally paid in by Hitzel, Dennison
having paid Meyer $500 which latter
he handed ov er to Hitzel as his (Mey-
er's) share Of the original $1,000, Van
Buren, being in possession of the other
$500. Jewett protested to Baron
Schwartz against tne concession made
to the new applicants, and it was re-
fused, so that they not only had no
concession for their deposits, but no
compensation for their trouble and ex-
pense, and it is not only since the
whole matter has been disclosed, on
oath, before tie investigating commits.
sion, that attempts have been made to
hush up.the affair by returning Hitzels
money and inducing Bochme & Wiele
to take him into their establishment.
1t is known that Van Buren has ad-
mitted a knowledge of these transac-
tiens, and the receipt of part of the
money, and that aspirations were made
by Congress. A phase of this corrupt
ion, which can have no relation to the
pretexts of lending is an agreement to
pay Meyer a percentage on sales by
Bochme q Wiele, and his direct de-
mand Of 10 per cent. of all profits
from Jewett, which was not admitted.
1t appears, also, that Meyer permi tied
persons to send goods intended for pri-
vate use and profit as goods intended
for the exhibition in United States YES
sells, and that he offered Jewett and
Tracy the same privileges, which they
declined. One person is said to have
effected a saving of several thousand
dollars in freight in this wav.