New-York tribune., 1903-05-28
THE WORST YET TO COME.
Still More Startling Disclosures En-
pected to FOLIO7C Nachen'S Arrest
LBY TELEGRAPH To TIE TRIBUNE. !

IBI TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE.I
Washington. May 27.-August ". Machen.
formerly general superintendent of free delivery
in the Postoff1ce Department. arrested to-
day. charged with receiving bribes amounting
to upward OF 2op0 and admitted to bail IN
$4,000 The sensational disclosure predicted In
The Tribune of May 26 has taken place even
sooner than was expected, and constitutes the
most startling development in the investigation
of the postofTice scandal.
The evidence Of Machen's guilt came like a
thunderclap to the Postmaster General, who.
while he was aware that the former supertn-
tendeut Of free delivery had been guilty of ir-
Irregularities. had never suspected actual dishon-
esty on the part of so important official. and
especially one who had been recommended 10
him as worthy Of the utmost consideration.
CONSERVATION reigns in the department to-
night and it is feared that this is only the be
ginning Of most sensational developments which
viii reveal the existence Of venality of appaL
ing proportions and involve officials Of impor-
tance and trust. II is said that close surveil-
lance is now being kept on another. official who
formerly occupied place of trust, and it is inti-
mated al the office of the Fourth Assistant
Postmaster General that the end is not even in
sight.
The offence charged against Machen is shown
in detail in the following statement issued by
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bristow
this afternoon:
A Y. Machen general superintendent free
delivery system. was arrested at o'clock to-
day. He is charged with receiving bribes,
amounting in all to about S22.0Oo, in connection
with q contract held by Croft Brothers. OF
Washington. D c. for a patent fastener used
on street letter boxes known the Croft fast
euer The Postofice Department in the last ten
years has used about $160000 worth Of these
fasteners. and it is shown by ample evidence
Machen has been receiving 10 per cent Of the
amounts paid to the Groffs The transaction OF
the business was conducted by Dlller b Groff.
who controls the patent Of his brother, Samuel
A, policeman.
Postmaster General Payne gives the greatest
credit 10 the work of Mr.. Bristow and his in
spectors in ferreting out the present case, pro-
nouncing it the most expert piece OF detective
work which he has ever known.
For some time past sum aggregaung
many thousands Of dollars has been PTovid-
ed for miscellaneous expenses in each an
nual appropriation bill. and it was from this
fund that the letter box fasteners were pur-
chased The circumstances surrounding the
purchase Of all the other items paid for out Of
this fund are now being subjected 20 the closest
scrutiny. and already several instances have
been discovered which have aroused grave sus-
picions, it being intirnated that the letter box
fasteners are not the only item on which the
government has been mulcted Of generous COM
missions.
AS has been ALREADY told in The Tribune.
Machen used the favors at his disposal TO build
up a political machine which he doubtless be
lieved would save him from the consequences
OF his acts and which did prevent the exercise
of proper supervision over the operations of
his division First Assistant Postmaster Gen
eral Wynne has long suspected the existence OF
ich IA hon iS
now charged although lacking valid proofs.
II was for that reason that he refused to be
held responsible for free delivery affairs until
they had been subjected to the rigid investiga-
ton they are now receiving.
The discovery of the fraud with which
Machen is charged is largely due to Inspector
Walter s Meyer who appointed from
weeks ago. that quantities of the Croft fasten-
ers were being constantly purchased, and in
oufrv revealed the fact that in the last ten
wears the sum paid to this concern had amount
ed to about 100000. An investigation failed
ia discover any trace Of bids having been ad-
var+ised for. and the price paid, 81 % each, for
an article which appeared TO be worth only
few cents occasioned grave suspicion Fur
;ber Investigation revealed the fact that the
articles were made for Croft Brothers at various
noints at a cost Of % cents each, and it was
6naIIv ascertained that for some time Machen
had been receiving a commission OF 80 per cent
on every purchase