The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-28
TEXT OF AFFIDAVIT
IN POSTOFF|CE CASES
Specific Charges Which Led to the
Recent Arrests.

The afldavits on which the .Groffs
were arrested were sworn OUT by Post
Office Inspector Walter T. Mayder. At
ter citing that August w Machen was
superintendent of the rural free deIiv-
cry of the department, Mr.. Mayder set
forth:
''In the usual course of business in the
Postoffice Department the matter of
purchases of letter box fasteners came
up for consideration and approval by
Machen. II is declared that Samuel A.
Croft and Diller B. Croft were the pat
entees and inventors of certain letter
box fasteners; that the Groffs, from
time to time during the period from
July. 1899, until July /, 1901, with intent
TO influence the decision of A. w.
Machen in the determination of the
question and to induce him to recon-
mend and procure orders from the Post
office Department for the delivery by the
Groffs TO the department of fasteners at
the rate of LIS for two half fasteners,
and with the further intent to influence
said Machen to commit a fraud upon the
United States and to do an act in vio-
y
I'd day OF July, 1900, promise and offer
to the said Machen to pay 10 him GER
tain proportion, to wit: Forty per cent
Of any amount which might be paid
upon orders for such purchases rec
commended and procured by him
iMachen) as superintendent and general
superintendent, or which he. Machen,
might be instrumental in procuring,
that is 10 say. they promised and Of
fered Machen the sum of so cents out of
each SIPS paid them on account of fas-
teners furnished by them for use in the
Postofice Department
at is also alleged that on July 2, 1900.
Machen procured. and was instrumental
IN procuring, the issuance of an order
by the First Assistant Postmaster Cen
eral. to the Croft partners. for delivery
by them to the Postofice Department of
h,c0O complete fasteners and 2,087 half
fasteners, known as Groff fasteners. and
that on the 9th day of July the Grofss
sent bill to the Postoffice Department
for furnishing 5000 complete fasteners
and 2,057 half-fasteners, at the rate
OF s1-25 for complete fasteners, and at
the same rate for each pair of half
fasteners, the amount aggregating ST.
5523S. This bill, it is alleged, was ap-
proved, and its payment recommended
by Machen as superintendent
ION the 18th day of July, 1900. war
rant on the Treasurer of the United
States in favor of the Groffs, for the ag-
gfegate of the contract was duly issued
by the Postoffice Department and de-
livered 10 the Groffs. 1t is stated that
the order was procured by Machen
pursuant TO the collusive agreement
between the $roffs and himself, that
is 10 say, that he was to be paid a GER
tain proportion of the proceeds OF any
warrant TO be issued in payment OF the
article supplied under the order.
Thereafter. on the eighth day Of
August. 1900, it is said that the Grofs
did, in pursuance of the collusive under
standing and agreement and the promise
and offer already referred TO, did pay
TO Machen the sum of 81. 020.74
II is also alleged that on the eleventh
dav of July. 1902, Machen, pursuant to
The collision, understanding and agree
ment and promise and offer already re-
ferred 10. procured the issue of another
and further order by the First Assistan,