The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-29
SPEEDY TRIAL TO
Be GIVEN MAC HEN
Government Anxious to Ex-
pediete Matter.
CLAIMS HIS INNOCENCE
Go Between Who Caused Machen's Arrest MAY
Turn States Eydence.--Largs Corps
Of inspectors Still Probing
Into the Scandals.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, May 2S.-A large corps of
inspectors, including some of the veter-
ans of the service were at work probing
into the alleged irregularities at the Post
office Department today, but no further
arrests were made. 1t is said to be pos
sible that the intermediary, who it is al
legged figured in the transactions which
led to the arrest of August w Machen,
the former General Superintendent of the
free delivery service, may turn States
evidence. His identity has not yet been
disclosed. Mr.. Machen's counsel issued a
statement asserting his ability to fully
disprove all the charges. The investigat-
ing officials are equally confident The
government is anxious to expedite the
trial of Maehen as much as possible con
sistenty with the proper handling of the
case. 1t is arranging to have its witnesses
at Machen's preliminary hearing June
5th. The preliminary hearing of the
Croft Brothers, the profits of whose firm
Machen is accused of sharing on a 40 per
cent. basis has been set for June 9.
Postal officials refuse to give any in
formation respecting the go-between, who,
it is alleged, figured in the transactions
that caused Machen's arrest. 1t is said
there is a possibility, if not probability,
that he will be used as a witness for the
government. The Postmaster General to-
night said:
That there is third party in this
matter | have no doubt, but cannot say
anything further
He asked whether the delay in making
an arrest was due to failure to locate the
man. The Postmaster General replied in
the negative and added that sometimes
there were other reasons. He significantly
suggested that sometimes it was found
best not to be too precipitate in taking
action, and there was an intimation that
the department might desire the go-be-
tween to turn States evidence. A re-
port was published here today that George
w. Beavers, the former superintendent
OF the division of salaries and allowances.
was in the city, but the department de
med having any such information Mr..
Payne was asked as to the nature of the
charges on file against Mr.. Beavers. He
replied that they might be summed up as
the payment of extra vacant
prices for materials and supplies used
Ia his division, including time
clocks and stamping machines He said
that there was only one charge that Mr..
Beavers had received a commission on
these supplies. This charge, he said, is
under investigation A much more rigid
oYerhauhng OF the affairs of Mr.. Beav-
ers' former office viii begin shortly.
The investigation OF the affairs of the
Free Delivery Division, it is stated. has
not been interrupted by the arrest of
Maehen. The inspectors who brought
about that result are continuing their
inquiry and will probe into other charges
against Mr.. Machen. In this connection
Postmaster General Payne today said that
one OF the charges under Investigation was
an allegation that Mr.. Machen had forged
the name of another man on the pay
roll about ten years ago. He said that
Mr. Machen knew of this charge and had
informed him (the Postmaster GeneraD
that he (Machen) was ready at any time
to bring conclusive proof that he was
innocent of the transaction. Other charges
involve letter box contracts. Some of
the charges are of similar nature to
these on which yesterdays arrest was
based. The oyerhauling of the Free De-
livery branch will be thorough and Post
master General Payne today declared with /
emphasis that the investigation will not /
end until all Irregularities have been |
thoroughly inquired into and eradicated |
He said that he did not know as vet /
when it would be possible to close the in
vestlgation and that he would not attempt /
to approximate the date. He said there
had been few charges against several
other officers of the department but the
of irregularities were confined
to the Free Delivery Service.
the Salary and Allowances Division and
The office OF the Assistant Attorney Cen
sral.
Assistant Attorney General Robb, of the
Department, had a long con.
crence today with United States District
Attorney Beach regarding the procedure
II the Machen case 1t is the wish of the
Postmaster General that the trial of the
sasel be expedited as much as possible
The evidence in the case has already been
cvlewed by Attorney General Knox, So
lcltor General Hoyt and District Attorney ,
seach and the prosecution now rests with
he Department of Justice. The Federal ,
grand jury is in session and it is expected !
hat the case OF Mr.. Machen will be pre-
ented Immediately to that body. The
lvll suit and attachment proceedings TO
'ecover the amounts alleged by the Post /
'ffice Department to have been obtained ]
rom the post box fastener contracts will
'e instituted at once. This phase of the ]
asc IS now in the hands of the District !
Attorney The proceedings will be simi
ar to those instituted in the Green-Gay- S
or case.
Charles A. Douglass, of counsel for Mr. ,