The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-28

spec,flc sums IN connection with sales OF
letter box fasteners to the government:
September 3D. 1900, s250l; December 10,
1900 5000: Angus: 81 1901, Sl.2i1; Sep
TENDER Q. 1901, S75S.50; January IL. 1902,
s724.es January 20. 1909, $500; April 9,
1908, $2,36nt8; August "a. lsoz, szz,eoo.
A GO-BErWEEN.
According to the statements OF Post
nf11cs Department Off cials, there was
co-between for the alleged TRANSACTIONS
In connection with the contracts. me
Identity of this person Is withheld by tne
Department and the officials refuse 10
saw what steps, IL any, have been taken
tookine 10 his apprehension. 1t Is said
that he does not reside IN Wasilihs 'oi'
and Is not here at present.
Postmaster Payne WIS asked to-nisns
FOR the name OF this man, but ueciii ~,
to discuss the subject. adding Una, nc
knew nothing about It. lac iisp s,.t,. .,
i,nn,avor II Is stated, know the Identity
on6 movements of the intermediary. re
may be arrested at any time. me ili ne -, !,
tors saw the evidence they have Is Oh !ile
most comprehensive character, peai,ls s
the signature of Machen. Inc eslu1.se
was worked UP principally IN .M t.,aa T.,
ton though much of 1t was op'a'i'eu 40
other parts OF the country
The final decision to make the arrest
1yas reached at 3 o'clock THIS morning
inter- a protracted conference between .ne
United States District Attorney ana .Le
INSPECTORS. The arrest crea!ea a ~ W.
found sensation at the fos'oiliee III 80 a,,a
1rent. The news Travelled raplai!, anu u
,,,,t,in few minutes after the arrest the
facts we're known generally. POSTMASTER
General Payne communicated tue news
10 the public, summonlng the newspaper
men and saying: s,r
errest in this building. He has received
n large amount of money from contrac-
tors who supply the Postofilce Depart,
ment with certain articles. He ls charged
with receiving about s22O
GRAND STAND PLAY.
To all newspaper men Mr. Machen saiu y
no had no extended statement 10 make
Tor duplication. To a representative OF
the Associated Press he said: rms VII.
come out all right: my arrest IS merely
grand stand play. .I
Attorney Charles Douglas mace .hls
statement: several days ago my urn
WAS retained by Mr.. Machen to look after
his interests In connection with the In
vestIgatton OF the affairs at the Postolnce
h)erartment am therefore cognlzant
of the situation in detail. i am conlidenl
that at the proper time We shall De aolc .
to show in the most conclusive way ina ! :
not only has Mr.. Machen been guilty OF
~ wronf. in connection with the depart
ment,s transactions with Croft Brotners.
s4i,nt that his administration of the ana1rs
If the free delivery system has peen cnat
acterzed by uprightness, integrity ana
abi!it.." 80
(,roff brothers. from whom Machen is
alleged to have received money IN con-
r.ection with the purchase Of letter Don
fasteners went to police head ea ine That
he, heard that a warrant mao peen lssu ls.l
4 for him and he had come to headquarters
!? to present himself ,-.,,.os
states Commissioner Taylor and gave
: $1,000 bail pending q hearing before the
/. Commissioner Mr.. Croft did not make
any statement The warren. s secton OF 81
the revised statutes. making bribery OF
the officers of the government criminal
onense.
arrested tonight. Arrangements were
made whereby he was at once released,
5000 bail being given for his appear
ance before United nd,.,laS states commissioner
/. Postmaster General Payne said that the
evidence against Machen was OF the most
conclusive chara cter IT Is very sad
serious business. The probabilities are
The Postmaster General said that the
department was running down all OF the
postal administrations; that many charges
had been made which are not known to
the public. and that where a Few were sub
stantiated great numbers. OF the allega-
.-rsons proved without foundation. He
made the significant suggestion that
there were many other charges Of irreg
ularities In the free delivery office now
being investigated.
Commenting on the arrest OF Daniel v.
Miller, the assistant attorney, which pre-
coded by forty-eight hours that of Mr..
Machen, Mr.. Payne said that he had
asked Assistant Attorney General Robb
whether the Ryan decision, which Mr..
Chrstiancy signed at the instance of
under the facts. Mr.. Robb's answer has
not been received.
Mr.. Payne was asked whether the de-
partment was keeping in touch with
George w. Beavers, the former superin-
tendent OF the division OF salaries and
allowances OF the department, who sud
denly resigned some weeks ago. He re-
piled affirmatively
II have no doubt" he said that the
department Is keeping track Of him"