The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-22
POLITICAL NOTES AND GOSSIP.


Ynn WytIS's Literary Burcnu.-
About week ago The Times called atten-
ton to the Van wyck movement concealed
behind tire taamorous propaganda of the
Commercial Travellers and Hotel Mems
Antitrust league That story has stirred
up muss all around. Colonel Bryan's
friends have been looking into the matter
closely and do not deny that 1t should be
watched carefully. AS becomes states
man, William Hoge, Secretary of the
league and head Of the Van Wyck literary
bureau, with Offices in the st. James Build
ing. Twenty sixth Street and Broadway.
New York. has entered a general denial
to the story. Secretary Hoge, following
the example of many another eminent
man. has interviewed himself on the sub
ject for The Times. ut is all wrong"
Secretary Hoge quote himself as saying at
the beginning OF his interview. we are
not running Augustus Van Wyck as our
candidate for the Democratic nomination
Tor President. Nor are We launching any
boom for former Gov. William J. Stone OF
Missouri" This latter statement shows
that the plot is thckening. Nobody had
suspected that the antitrust leaguers
were trying to launch boom" for the
angular and Lincolnesque Missourian. But
to follow Secretary Hoge: we honor most
Judge Van Wyck and Governor Stone. and
most OF the boys believe that either of
these gentlemen could be elected. Our
only concern Is to see the Democratic
party victorious. We believe that the
trust Issue is as strong in the East as 1t
is in any other section of the country, and
therefore 1t is dangerous for the Demo-
cratic party to nominate for the Presi-
deney the gentleman who has dubbed the
States of New York. New Jersey, and Con-
necticut the enemys country. These three
States, with Indiana saved the Southern
people from untold cruelties at the hands
Of the Republican party. There is a large
number OF Southern members OF this
league, and our correspondence with them
shows that they feel that they haze moth
ing but gratitude for the Democrats OF
the enemy's country" Secretary Hoge
then goes on to say that Judge Van Wyck
has always been great friend of the COM
merclal traveller. II he is on journey in
railway train you will invariably find
him In the smoking ear playing whist or
swapping stories with group of drum
mers." As to Governor Stone, who is
characterized as "the brilliant Missou
rian.' Secretary Hoge observes that he is
"a very charming talker and always most
courteous TO the commercial traveller.
few years ago a visit to Nevada. No.
(Stone's former home) was looked for
ward to as a great treat by the CONNER
cial travellers. There they would meet
Governor Store, who always had new
story for them, as we'll as a warm hand
shake" One more extract from Secretary
Hoge's autointerview: This league is
going to send out everything that will
tend to help the Democratic party. We
are going TO send out long extract from
Clark Howelrs recent speech at Buffalo,
entitled The Man With His Hat In His
Hand i suppose the papers will then
say We are booming the brilliant editor OF
the Atlanta Constitution" for Presi-
dent" Who can follow the output OF the
Commercial Travellers and Hotel Mems
Antitrust leagues literary bureau and
not conclude that impious and brazen
treason 10 William Jennings Bryan is be-
ing plotted But Hogg of Texas is in
New York this week. and some type
writers and other things in the literary
bureau may be wrecked before the week Is
out. Y-..i