The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-06-06
BRISTOW WILL REST.
Has Caused His Last Arrest Of
Postal Thieves for a While.

Washington. June 6.-As a result Of
the sweeping investigation Of affairs at
the postofhce department, Thomas W.
McCregOr, clerk in charge OF supplies
for the rural free delivery system, and
Q. Ellsworth Upton Of Baltimore, one OF
McGregor's assistants, have been ar
rested on the charge OF conspiracy with
Charles E. Smith of baltimore TO de-
fraud the government in the purchase Of
the leather pouches furnished the rural
carriers throughout the country. Their
cases make seven arrests since the IN
vetigauon began Other arrests are ex-
pected later
The story Of the arrests is best told
In the following statement given by
Fourth Assistant Postmaster BristC,
Thomas W. McGregor and G. L-.,-
worth Upton were arrested upon war
rants sworn out in Baltimore by IN
speCtors J. d. Sullivan and r. D. Sim
mons, charging them with conspiracy
with Charles E smith and others to
defraud the United States government
in the purchase Of pouches from 9. T.
Smith Of Baltimore. The complaint sets
with Smith to obtain for him orders Tor
many thousands OF leather pouches,
such as are used by rural letter car
riers. The price agreed upon was 80
cents a pounch; the actual value was
less than 80 cents. Smith was to pay
them the difference between 80 cents and
SO cents a pouch. 1t is stated at the de-
partment that the actual number of
E0ALAt1 NttIt- were IL4loSGu EAtEEAEu
10000. for which the government paid 80
cents each, or $4,000 in all. Smith re-
ceiVed and retained of this for his own
use $4,000. The remainder was paid 10
McGregor and Upton. The government
could have bought the entire number of
pouches from the manufacturers for
SIS. 600. McGregOr was the clerk in charge
of rural free delivery supplies and Upton
was one of his assistants"
Inspector Sullivan is from the ST
Louis division of postohlce inspectors.
McGregor has been in the postal service
since 1891. He came from Nebraska as
a messenger and was promoted to a
clerkship and finally was appointed by
the rural free delivery service. Mr.. Up
ti0n is BaltimOrean and has been in
the postal service for Is years. Both
the men arrested are married. They
were taken into custody at the post
Office department shortly before the
close of Office hours Upton asked to be
taken before a commissioner at Balti-
more instead OF in this city because of
his wider acquaintance there and better
opportunity for securing bail. Accord
ingly he was taken to that city by two
postofiice inspectors. McGregor was Ia
ken to the Office Of United States Com
missioner Taylor. United States Dis
trict Attorney John c. Rose of Balti-
more arrived here and was in close con-
sultation in an advisory way with
fourth assistant postmaster general
for considerable time over the
arrests. McGregor has been under the
close surveillance of the inspectors for
weeks and has been subjected to a close
examination for several hours a day
during part Of that time. The inspec-
tors say that they completed the evil
denee they wanted before taking action.
Postmaster General Payne was noti-
I fed of the arrest by Mr. Bristow and
they had a short conference on the sub
I ject.
Postal officials. after the arrests. would
not say whether their investigation in
any wise implicated Mr.. Machen, who wan
general superintendent of the system while
the alleged transa ction occurred in the
present matter. Fourth Assistant Post
I master General BristOw. when asked
question on this point. declined to answer
saying that the statement made comprises
4 an the department cared to give out on
the subject at this time
STR Bristow also declined to saw what
4 action was likely to be taken in the case
( of C. E. Smith. the Baltimore contractor,
who is named in connection with the case.
Mr.. Smith has not been arrested. Mr..
4 Bristow said, in reply to an inquiries: =
! can not say anything as to whether he will
l or will not be taken into custody
Mr.. BristOW said However. that the two
arrests close the case for the present