The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-16
NOTHING BEFORE GRAND JURY.
Van Colt Says Scandals Can't Beat R0ose-
velt--Driggs's statement.

Ncl-DTl8BSS statement.
The Federal Grand Jury Of this district
for May, which ends it's business to-day,
will bring in no Post Office ind ictments,
because no evidence about Post Office scan
dals has been presented to it, So far no
evidence has been given to the District
Attorney for the consideration Of the June
Grand Jury, which convenes on Wednes-
day.
Ex-Congressman Edmund H. briggs, a
leading Democrat Of Brooklyn and candi-
date against Borough President SWANS
from aet year, has been brought into the
investigation of the sale OF stamp selling
and change making machines to the post
Offices. Mr.. briggs does not deny that
while in Congress he received $4,000 az
vice- president Of the Brand Automatic
Cashier Company, which sells the machines.
1t is alleged that while Mr.. briggs was in
Congress the company sold to the Govern
ment $50 OF the machines for 3l75 apiece.
or S25 above the market price Inspectors
Oldfeld and Little, who have been making
a special investigation Of the machine
contracts had talk with Mr.. briggs re-
Gently and il is said that he denied having
used his influence with the Post Office in
the interest Of the company. The inspect
ors are said to have been satisfied with his
explanation. Since Mr.. briggs retired from
Congress he has been the vice-president of
the Empire State Surety Company. Mr..
briggs made this formal statement yes
terday
Referring to the mention OF my name
in connection with the Post Office Depart
ment investigation, desire to say that 1
court the fullest investigation. | have
done nothing improper or wrong and con-
fidently refer to my record while Repre-
sentative in Congress to clear me Of any
reflections whatsoever
The only thing Mr.. briggs would add
to this until he consulted his lawyers, he
said. was this MY dealings with the
Post Office Department and the cash regis
ter company were square and above board :"
1t was over this same investigation that
Inspector Oldfeld had row with Assistant
United States District Attorney f. F.. Bald
win. Mr.. Baldwin is a brother. law OF
George F. Miller, agent OF the company.
Should the machine contracts be brought
to the attention of the Grand Jury Mr..
Baldwin would ask his chief, Gen. Burnett,
to assign some one else to the case
Postmaster Van Colt did not seem to be
disturbed yesterday because attention had
been called to the fact that Dr. w. H. Rich
salary of sl.7O a year from the Post Office
here. II is the duty Of DR., Richardson to
examine the clerks and carriers when they
are i'll and see that they are not shammng
He is on the payroll as finance clerk"
because the postal regulations no longer
provide for the. job, although it is said
10 he recognized by the Civil Service people
DR. Richardson was appointed by Mr..
Van Colt in 1893 From 1873 to 1881. under
the administration Of Postmaster James,
there were four Post Office physicians
each getting a yearly salary of 81 500 So
Mr.. Van Colt says he has saved the Govern
ment $4,000 year, There were no Post
Office physicians from 1893 to the time Of the
appointment of DR.. Richardson Mr.. Van
Colt says that physician is necessary
In reference to the alleged statements
of soTne Democrats that II the scandals
In the Post Office Department were exposed
Roosevelt would lose New York. Ohio and
Indiana and. probably, reelection. Mr.. Van
Colt said:
"The President will go IN the bottom
to punish the offenders. He is that kind of a
man. So the Democrats think they will
be able to beat him? Well. they cant beat
one side OF him at the next election and he
Is sure to he nominated by reclamation"