Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-06-22
VAN corr MAY GO
|Rumop That He Has Been Called
 to. Washington
SAYS HE HAS NOT HEARD IT

 Whe Assessment Plan in New York Office That He Knows of-Several Indictments Were Returned Against Suspects In Postal Department To- Day.
 New York, June 22.-Postmaster Van Cott was asked to-day if 1t was Rrue as reported from Washington that President Roosevelt had asked him to go to Washington and explain certain Irregularities in his department, among them the charge that the em- ployer under him had been compelled to make campaign contributions.
 If have been sent for I don't know anything about it, Mir Van Cott said. "I don't expect to go to Wash 1ngton to-day. Employees in this office have not been compelled to make cam paign contributions, so far as know" Washington, June 22.-The fact that Postmaster General Payne has not been called into consultation by the Presi- dent in the Van Cott case, but that General Bristow and the attorney general have been his confdentfaY ad- visers in the premises, tends to in-, crease the belief that ,Payne's influence at the white house has suffered vital blight recently. If, as he insists, he (Payne) is directing the investigation of the postal scandals, it is regarded as most likely he would have been at the white house with MT Bristow last night, or would have been summoned there to-day. The president, however. has not seen Payne since he first heard yesterday of the new allegations against Van Cott.
 It is asserted that before the whole story, in connection with the lincoln clubs alleged scheme of campaign graft is told, it will be shown that at least onNhalf of the amount obtained from the $1 a month dues of the postal members went directly to Senator Thomas C. Platt When Senator Quay was accused several months ago of having indirectly been party to solGiting campaign contributions from federal employees there were ugly ru- moTs of serious action contemplated against him by the civil service com mission. Quay, however, as usual, was able to squirm out of his dilemma and Platt soon may have to attempt similar wriggle.
 As illustrating how the Platt ma chine has been fed in New York. and the secret Of it's hidden power, the Van Cott Ldncoln club affair should open the eyes of decent republicans to what the RIatt machine stands for, and what 1t exacts of its adherents.
 Certain democrats here say this evi. denee when it has been got into proper shape will be excellent campaign ma terial for Tamm9ny to use dn New York city against any fusion movement next fall which lPlatt attempts to con. trob or in which he is allowed to be g prqninent Tactor. If this system oi levHdng upon the postal employees ob tains under the Van Cott regime, it k suggested that it might be well for the administration to investigate condi tions in other branches of the fedora service in New York of which Plat favorites have been in charge for sev eral years. The Van Cott disclosur, also may shed additional light on tn, determination of the Platt machine tt get rid of Wilbur F. fWakeman whel he was appraiser of the port.
 The Brooklyn postoffice also max now come in for an overhauling. Platt 1t will be remembered, was bitter 1T his antagon1sm to former Postmaste, Wilson. When Wilson retired tn, Dady-Platt cabal succeeded in havins George H. Roberts, a Platt machin, man and at that time a machine dis trtct leader, made postmaster there MT Beevers Efr Driggs and certail other handy men in the postal scandals live In Brooklyn, and there may b others there. Developments of an in teresting nature are expected this week as the result of the deliberation of in grand Jury in New York. Brooklyn an, Washington. The postoffice inspectors who are as near to what is going on a anybody, appear to be confident tha many more indictments will be found Meanwhile Henry c. Payne is keepin more and more to himself, his heaIt shattered, his mind overburdened an seemingly under a cloud which has n silver lining. Friends of MT Wynnt the first assistant, are gratified that h has requested the most thorough 1T vestigation of all the bureaus under hi Jurisdiction. Mir Payne does not seer to trust even his assistants now and is understood he gives them little c his confidence.
 Washington, June 22-The gran jury which has been Investigating tn postal affairs issued an indictment tc day against A. W Machen. Samuel 4 Groff. George F. Lorenz and Martha Lorenz. the two latter being resident of Toledo. o. The specific charge conspiracy to defraud the governmen The Indictment is based on sectio 5.440 of the revised statutes. which pr, vides a penalty of S10O0O fine or tw years in prison. or both. in the discE' tfon of the court.
 EIGHT YACHTS STARTED.
 Dover, June 22.-Eight yachts star