The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-05-29
MADE NO ARREST
nay PASSED WITHOUT AN Of
FENDER BEING CAUGHT
IN PosToFFICE INVESTIGATION
,~sPECTORs, HOWEVER, ARE HOT
UPON THE TRAILS.

os POssibIe-His Attorney Pro-
&.sses Confidence and the officials
Seem to Rely Upon Their Evil
dence-PracticaI Invitation is Ex-
tended the Supposed GO-Between
n Turn states Evidence.
Washington, May 2S.-A large corps
+ INSPECTORS, including some of the
,aterans of the service, were at work
,robing into the alleged irregularities
ar the Postoffce Department to-day,
hut no further arrests were made.
II is said to be possible that the in
tarmediary who, it is alleged figured
in the transactions which led to the
arrest of August w. Machen, the for
ner general superintendent of the free
delivery service, may turn states evil
dence. His identity has not yet been
disclosed.
Mr.. Machen's counsel issued state
ment asserting his ability to fully dis
prove all the charges. The investigat-
ing Officials are equally confident.
The government is anxious to ex-
pedite the trial of Machen as much as
possible consistently with the proper
handling of the case. 1t is arranging
to have it's witnesses at Machen's pre-
liminary hearing June 5. The prelim-
mary hearing of the Croft Bros, the
profits of whose firm Machen is ac-
cused of sharing on a 40 per cent. ba-
sis, has been set for June 8.
Gives the SuppOsititiOns Man a Tip.
Postal officials refuse to give any
information respecting the go-between,
who. it is alleged figured in the trans
actions that caused Machen's arrest.
1t is said there is a possibility, if not
a probability, that he will be used as
a witness for the government.
Postmaster General Payne said to-
night That there is a third party
in this matter 1 have no doubt. but
carnot say anything further"
He was asked whether the delay in
making an arrest was due to failure
to locate the man. Mr. Payne replied
in the negative, and added that some
times there were other. reasons He
significantly suggested that sometimes
it was found best not to be too pre-
was an intimation that the depart
ment might desire the go-between to
turn states evidence.
Beavers Was Extravagnnt.
Mr.. Payne was asked as to the ma
ture of the charges on file against
George w. Beavers. He replied that
they might be summed up as the pay
ment of extravagant prices for ma
terials and supplies used in his di-
vision, including time clocks and
stamping machines. He said there
was only one charge that Mr. Beav-
e-s had received a commission on
these supplies. This charge, he said,
is under investigation.
much more rigid overhaullng or
the affairs of Mr. Beavers former Of
flee will begin shortly.
The investigation of the AFFAIRS or
the free delivery division, it is stated,
has not been interrupted by the ar
rest of Machen. The inspectors who
brought about that arrest are con-
tinuing their inquiry and will probe
into other charges against Machen.
Some of the charges are of a similar
nature to those on which yesterday
arrest was based The oVerhauilng OF
the free delivery, branch will be thor
ough. and Mr. Payne declared with
emphasis to-day that the investigation
will not end until all irregularities
have been thoroughly inquired into and
eradicated.
Discussed Mnchens Case.
Assistant Attorney General Robb OF
the Postoffice Department had a long
conference to-day with United states
District Attorney Beach regarding the
procedure in the Machen case. IL IS
the wish of Mr.. Payne that the trial or
the case be expedited as much as pos
cih case
already been reviewed by Attorny
General Knox. The federal grand jury
is in session and it is expected that the
case of Machen will be presented I'M
mediately to that body
The civil suit and attachment pro-
ceedings to recover the amounts alleseo
by the Postoffice Department to have
been obtained from the post box fast
ener contracts viii be instituted at
once. The proceedings will be similar
to those instituted in the Green-Gay-
nor case.
Charles A. Douglass. of counsel for
Machen, to-day gave out the following
statement:
What Machen's Attorney says
Mr.. Machen has been a long time
in the public service. and he is widely
and favorably known throughout the
United States. and it is due him that
case. but should patiently await devel-
opments which are sure to come. Mr.
Machen is ready to meet, in the clear
est and most satisfactory way, the
charges now specifically made against
him, and he now generally and public
~ invites the most rigid investigation
into every act and transaction con-
nected with his official life. More than
this should not now be said
Mr.. Machen. under advice of his
COUNSEL refused TO discus the case.
Dller b. Croft. senior member of the
lrm OF Croft Bros. manufacturers
NJ letter box fasteners, who was ar
tested last night for alleged bribery
Of A. w. Machen, appeared before
United States Commissioner Taylor to-
day. The preliminary hearing was
postponed until Tuesday. June 3. Mr..
Croft then renewed has bond OF $4,000.
given last night.
Samuel A. Croft, the Junior member
o. the firm, aghO was arrested last
night, charged with the same 0ffense
As his brother. viii appear before Com
missioner Taylor tomorrow His pre-
urinary hearing VIII be- set for Tues
day June o