The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-05-28

between for the alleged transactions
in connection with the contracts. The
identity of this person is withheld by
the department, and the officials refuse
10 say what steps, if any, have been
taken looking to his apprehension. 1t
is stated that he does not reside in
Washington and is not here at present.
postmaster General Payne was asked
Tonight for the name of this man, but
declined to discuss the subject, adding
that he knew nothing about it. The
inspectors, however, it is stated, know
the identity and movements of the in
termediary. He may be arrested at
any time
The inspectors say the evidence they
have is of the most comprehensive ma
ture. 1t includes many drafts of an
alleged discriminating character, bear
ing the signature of Machen The
evidence was worked up principally in
Washington, though much of it was
obtained in other parts of the country.
The final decision to make the ar
rest was reached at o'clock this
morning after a protracted conference
between the Unitel States district at
torney and the inspectors. The arrest
created a profound sensation at the
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spread rapidly, and within a few
minutes after the arrest the fact was
known generally.
Payne Gave Out the News.
Mr.. Payne lost no time in communi-
eating the news to the public, sum-
moning the newspaper men and say
ing: "Mr. Machen is now under ar
rest in this building. He has re-
8 k1-.1
contractors who supply the govern
ment with certain articles. The amount
he is charged with receiving is over
$4,000. The department will make
statement later in the day, as soon
as it can be prepared"
Subsequently Mr.. Bristow gave out
the following statement:
"A. w. Machen, general superinten-
dent of the free delivery system, was
arrested at l o'clock to-day. He is
charged with receiving brides amount
ing in all to about $4,000 in connection
with a contract held by Croft Bros,
of Washington, D. c., for a patent fas-
tener used on street letter boxes, known
as the Croft fastener. The Postoff1ce
Department in the past ten years has
| used about $40, 900 worth of these fas-
teners, and it is shown by ample evil
dence that for the past three years, at
1
40 per cent. of the amounts paid to
the Groffs. The transaction of the bus
mess was conducted by Diller B. Croft,
who controls the patent of his brother,
Samuel A, a policeman"
Mr.. Machen was taken by the deputy
marshal directly to the office of United
States Commissioner Taylor, where ar
rangements TO give bail were made.
Mr.. Machen communicated with his at
torneys, Douglass and Douglass, and
in a few minutes Charles A. Douglass,
senior member of the firm, arrived at
the commissioner office and assumed
charge of the case. On behalf of his
client he demanded an immediate hear
ing.
Assistant District Attorney Hugh
Taggart. who is conducting the case
for the government, informed Commits
sioner Taylor that he was not ready to
proceed, and asked for postponement
of the hearing for ten days.
To this request Commissioner Taylor
acceded and fixed the hearing for Fri
day, June 5. After a brief discussion
of the bond Commissioner Taylor an
nounced that he would ask bail in the
sum of $4,000 This was satisfactory
to Mr.. Machen and his attorneys, and
the Union Surety and Guaranty Com
pany of Philadelphia gave the bond.
To all newspaper men Machen said
that he had no extended statement to
make for publication. To a represen-
tative of the Associated Press he said:
This will come out all right. My
arrest is merely a grandstand play"
Attorney Charles Douglass made this
statement:
Several days ago my firm was re-
tanned by Mr.. Machen to look after his
interests in connection with the inves-
tigation of affairs at the Postoffice De-
partment. 1 am, therefore, cognizant
of the situation in detail. l am con-
fident that at the proper time we shall
be able to show in the most conclusive
way that not only has Mr.. Machen
been guilty of no wrong in connec-
ton with the departments transactions
with Croft Bros. but that his admin
istration of the affairs of the free de-
livery system has been characterized
by uprightness, integrity and ability"
The GroRs Arrested.
Diller B. Croft, one of the partners
,of Croft Brothers. went to police
headquarters tonight and gave him
self up, saying he had heard that
warrant had been issued for him, and
he hao come to headquarters to present
himself. Mr.. Croft was taken before
United States Commissioner Taylor
ing before the commissioner to-mor-
row.
Mr. Croft did not make any state
ment regarding his connection with
the charge against him. The warrant
served on him charges a violation of
the section of the revised statutes,
making bribery of officers of the gov
eminent a criminal offense. The in
formation upon which the warrant was
issued was sworn to by Walter 5.
Mayer. a postoffice inspector. This in
formation alleges the payment by the
partners of various sums of money to
August w. Machen, in pursuance of
the alleged agreement between them
in connection with the purchase of let
ter box fasteners.
Samuel A. Croft, the other partner
was arrested tonight. Arrangements
were made Immediately whereby he
Was released on IS, 000 bail being given
for his appearance before United
states Commissioner Taylor when re-
quired.
Mr. Payne said that the evidence
against Machen was of the most con-
elusive character.
TT is a very sad affair."" Mr.. Payne
added. "It is very serious business.
The probabilities are that the end is
not yet"
Mr. Payne said that the department
was running down all the charges that
have been made concerning postal adj
ninistration: that many charges had
been made which are not known to the
public. and that where a few were
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