The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-05-14

european trip. Went TO W aSnlIlSlOn
ana told my Nebraska friends that l
wanted position. They got me one
without any trouble at a salary of S1.2Go
per year.
Although unknown at that time. three
years later, when I came to Omaha On
visit, I was instructed 20 gay TO
my Nebraska friends that I was then
under the personal projection of Sena-
tor Plat of New York. and did not
need their influence any longer
This must not be construed as mean
ing that 1 owed my position to Senator
Plat. lowe him nothing It was SIM
ply his way OF saying that he WAS
interested III me ana would do anything
he could for me.
And those politicians who know any
thing know that Senator Plat is
powerful man in national fairs.
Interviews Senator Platt.
Some time after Senator Platt's wife
died 1901, I was working IN New
York on Lesliess. In my capacity as
reporter. l was sent 10 interview Sena-
tor Plat on some subject. He was
more than cordial TO me, giving me the
story and interview 1 wanted and in
wiling me TO cali when [ wanted an
other interview.
a little later I and a lady friend were
talking Of going 10 the Philippines as
teachers. We needed the influence of
some big politician TO get appointments.
I thought Of Senator Plat and his form
er kindness TO me. Together, we called
on him at his hotel. Senator Plat was
more than cordial. We iolljed and fiat
tered him until ne was mighty well
pleased with hi1nself-called him the
boss of New York, ETC., until the
- L.
anything on earth We wanted, even to
the whole Of the Philippines
We both We're appointed but were
called upon to sign a paper relinquish-
ing about 20 per cent OF our first years
salary to somebody as q premium. We
didn't want TO do that SO We took the
matter up with Platt.
He was furious at the ''hoIdupa and
said he would fix things for US. But our
appoint ments We're Cancelled just the
same. And that's how I came to know
the Senator.
Pal of the Senator.
BY that time we had gotten to be quite
pals" He would frequently write or
telegraph me to drop in and have chat
with him at his hotel or at 10 Broadway.
He said he always had time to talk with
me.
q have taken q great fancy to you
and like TO hear you talk. Come in often
and see me- he said.
In 1902 my Nebraska friends, notwith-
standing the enInfty of Mr.. Machen.
who was afraid that my legal training
was permitting me To see too far into
his schemes. secured my reinstatement
to my former position in Washington. I
went back to that city.
When Senator PIatt came to Wash
ington 10 attend the sitting of the Sen
ate, he would often drop in at my Of
fee to see me and would sit and talk
for hours. Also. he would have me sent
for 10 come to Mr.. Wynne's Office and
talk to him CPlatt). Here again I would
stay for long intervals, talking and
chatting with the Senator.
Very shortly ii began TO be seen and
noised around the department that Sen
ator Plat was much interested IN me,
ana then the politicians and those who
wanted favors. began trying to use me
10 secure influence with the New York
Senator.
During all this time Senator Platt used
TO write me letters daily, the letters
coming in care of Mr.. Wynne's depart
ment. L soon discovered that all nay
correspondence from Plat was thor
oughly serutinized before 1t came 10 me
That's how it became known that I
really had those letters. When the
Love Letters of a Boss was spoken of
first as being forthcoming. the polite
ians around the offices knew the truth
of my statements and knew I had num-
berless letters from Plat
Currying Favor.
To curry favor with riatt. my supe.
riors got 10 referring all my movements
To him. Il wanted days vacation,
Plat must give his consent; he was tel
echoned to see Il it was all right 10
Let me off duty for half an hour; If lie
said yes" I got off If no" there
was 100 much business for me to leave.
Wynne. in his bootiicking way, would
even ask Plat II I was 10 be allowed
nay regular vacation. although II was
mine by law. Plat seemed impertinent
enough to feel nattefed at this, notWith-
standing 1t was humiliating me outra-
geously.
After a while the Senator got to call
ing for me. bringing his carriage and
taking me driving. He would go up to
Nsnne's Office and would nave ne sent
for. Sometimes ne would drive TO the
country; sometimes over the city bouIe-
wards; at others. ne would take me on
The rounds 10 the different departments
while he attended to business
The coachnsan and footr1an got 10 tell
ing X around that Plat was more in
terested in me than he was in another
lady friend OF his This lady get q ~
fully jealous. Ny own friends feared
she would do something desperate ana
tried g get me - leave town. They
advised ne 10 ask to be transferred to
some other city. and even went 50 far
as to ask Senator Plat about it. But
Flats said, "Emphatically no; IS soon as
/ get things properly fixed 1 intend TO
drop this other friend.
IN the meantime this other woman got
to Writing me disasreeaDie notes. Sew
eral times, 10 prevent 4 scandal. / had
10 leave my Office when 1 knew she was
coming To see me.
Plat himself pleaded With me t6 keep
Ont Of this woman's way. 1 was usually
warned by the Senator Of the time she
WAS coming down Things got so bad
along this line that several times the
Senator thought We would have -