The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-06-04
MACHEN ARRESTED,
Manager Of EuraI Free Delivery Will
Face Serious Charges
GETS GUT ON VERY HEAVY BAIL
Machen IS Alleged TO Have Received
Hony Thousand Dollars From Con-
tracts improperly Let.

'aoAA4rSSh. SPNNlaA L. La SN0
most sensational development Of the
~postofice investigation up to this time
occurred Wednesday. when August w.
Hachen, the general superintendent Of
the free delivery service, vas arrested
on q warrant issued upon the infor-
nation OF postoffice inspector charg-
ing him with having received rake
offs" from contracts made with the
local firm o. Croft Brothers for a pat
ent postal box fastener. The warrant
specifically charged him with receiv-
ing S1S.9S1.7S since August S, 1900. 1t is
alleged, however, at the Department
that this amount does not represent
all that Machen obtained in connection
with these contracts, it being charged
that he had profited by them for sew
eTal years prior to the date OF the first
contract mentioned in the warrant.
Other arrests are to follow.
Immediately after Mr.. Machen was
taken into custody, the Postmaster
General issued an order removing him
from office. He had been practically
under suspension for a fortnight, pend
Ing the investigation into his bureau.
The discovery Of Machen's alleged in
terests in the contracts was made
quite accidentally by the inspectors
some three weeks ago, and since then
their energies had been directed to-
ward making out a case.
Tuesday night after the authorities
had become convinced that they were
n possession of the necessary evidence
Mr.. Machen was notified to appear at
the Department. He did S and was
subjected to a sweating process by
the inspectors and Mr.. Bristow for
three hours. but no admissions that he
had profted by the contracts could be
secured from him. He declined to
answer many questions on the ground
that they related to his private busl-
ness, but insisted to the end that he
had not received a cent Improperly.
Nevertheless he was arrested on n
warrant which had been prepared and
taken before a United States commits
sioner, where his attorney Immediately
demanded a full hearing. Assistant
District Attorney Taggart. however,
va not ready to proceed with the
case and the hearing was set for June
Ssh.
Mr.. Machen gave a $4,000 bond fur
nished by a Philadelphia bonding CON-
Lany for his appearance, declining to
accept the prefer Of friends to go on
his bond. After his release he declined
10 make any statement beyond the
single declaration that the whole thing
was a grand-stand play and he would
come out all right. His attorneys de
clared that at the proper time they
would show conclusively that he had
been guilty Of no wrong in connection
with the contracts and, on the con-
trary, they would be able to show that
his administration Of the free delivery
service had been characterized by
ability and integrity.
The Department officials claim that
their evidence is conclusive.
1t is understood that civil suit will
be entered to recover from Machen
the amount he is alleged to have re-
ceived on the contracts.
The warrant alleges several n SUM-
dry counts against Machen for obtain
ing money in an improper and illegal
manner
Then followed a number Of other
counts alleging that Mr.. Machen re-
ceived the following specific sums for
letter box fasteners for the govern
ment: September 20. 1900, S2,501; De-
cember II, 1900. $4,000; August 81,
1901. s1.271; September 9, 1901, S753.50;
January II, 1902. S724.9S; January 20,
1902, $500; April 9. 1902, S2.S60.ej;
August go. 1902, $3.50.
According to statements Of Post
office Department officials there was
a go-between for the alleged transac-
tons in connection with the contracts.
The identity Of this person is withheld
by the Department and the officials TO
fuse to tell what steps. IL any. have
been taken looking to this apprehen-
sion. 1t is stated that he does not re-
side in Washington and is not here at
present.
Postmaster General Payne vaR ask
ed for the name Of this man bat de-
clined to discuss the subject. addins
that he knew nothing about it. The in-
spextors. 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 comprehen-
sive nature. It includes many drafts
OF an alleged discriminating character,
bearing the signature OF Mr.. Nachen.
The evidence was worked up principal
" in Washington, though much Of it
was obtained in other parts OF the
! country. The fRal decision to make the
arrest was reached at 3 o'clock this
morning, after a protracted conference
between the United States district
attorney and the inspectors.
The arrest created a profound sensa-
ton at the Postofice Department. The
news spread rapidly and within a few
minutes after the arrest the fact was
known generally. Postmaster General
PAYNE lost no time in communicating
| the news to the public. summon!ng the
| newspaper men and saying: "Mr. Ma
| chen is now under arrest in this build
ing. He has received a large sum OF
money from the contractors who sup
| DIV the government With certain ar
| ticles. The amount he is charged with
| receiving il over $4,000. The Depart
ment will mako a statement later IN
! the say as sooa xs it saR be prepared