The San Francisco call., 1903-09-26
ERWIN NARRATES
HIS EXPERIENCE
Tells How Richardson
Induced Him to Go
to Washington.
Receives Fifty Shares From
His Friend and Helps
in His Scheme.

Proceedings in the matter of the indict-
ment of James w. Erwin until recently
superintendent of the free delivery sys-
tenn of this jurisdiction, were begun at 10
o'clock yesterday morning before United
States Court Commissioner Heacock and
will be resumed at the same hour this
morning.
Mr.. Erwin was represented by Samuel
knight. On behalf of the Government
United States District Attorney Marshall
B. Woodwork appeared.
Before the court was called to order Mr..
Erwin spent fifteen minutes in shaking
hands with and converslng with his old
associates in the postofice department,
who had visited the courtroom to say
words of esteem and good cheer.
The proceedings were had upon the re-
quest Of the United States Attorney for
a warrant of removal of Erwin from Cali
fornia to Washington, d. c., where it is
proposed to try Erwin, together with
August w. Machen and George W. Beav-
ers, who were jointly indicted by Fed
eral Grand Jury in Washington, D. c..
The charges against them are conspiracy
to defraud the Government by corruptly
inducing it's agents to enter into contract
for the purchase of a large number of
timelock devices for mail boxes at a price
largely in excess of the cost of manufac-
ture and of the price al which similar
devices could be furnished to the Govern
ment. 1t is also charged in the indict-
ment that Erwin and the others, in pur-
suance of the conspiracy, neglected to ad-
vertise for bids for furnishing such de-
vices to the department.
Among those present in court yesterday
were Postoffice Inspector-in-charge Robert
r. Munro, Postoffice Inspector James
O'Connell and A. ]. Vining.
HEACOCK WANTS FACTS.
Mr. knight addressed the court and pro-
ceeded to argue technically against the
indictment and its validity. but Judge
Heacock interrupted him with the follow
ing statement:
Il may as well state in the beginning
that this court will not listen to any tech
nical questions. l leave technical objec-
tions for some other court We will have
no arguments against the validity of the
ndictment-nothing but vital evidence or
argument will be admitted here
Mr.. knight excepted to the ruling OF
| the Commissioner and placed Mr. Erwin
on the stand. The witness gave a de-
tailed history of his connection with the
department since he became a member OF
It on June 27, 1887. until his connection
with it was severed two weeks ago by an
Z
/ Washington. His manner was cool and
! self-possessed and he answered all ques-
tiops promptly and did not show any dis
] position to withhold anything. In reply
to Mr.. Knights questions he said that on
July l. 1900, he was holding the position of
postoffice inspector, and year later he
was assistant superintendent of the free
delivery service. Mr.. Hedges was his i'm
mediate superior. The duty of the wit
ness in the new position was to supervise
on the Pacific slope the free delivery sys-
tenn, to establish the service in other
States and to recommend an increase in
the force of carriers wherever such in
crease might be needed. His Jurisdiction
extended over Oregon, Washington, Idaho
! Utah. Nevada. California, New Mexico
and the Hawaiian Islands. The time in
dicator device, in his opinion and in the
opinion of all persons with whom he had
conversed, was necessary improvement
attached to the street letter boxes. and
the boxes were part of the free delivery
system, he said