Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-17
THREE INDICTMENTS
Grand Jury Acts in More
Post Office Cases.
N A M ES WITHHELD
BELIEVED TO BE PERSONS
ALREADY UNDER CHARGES.
Trial Of Post Office Cases to Take Place
Early-Erwin Arrested in
California.
N MES WITHHELD

dftional indictments in connection with the
Post Office Department matter. The names
Of the persons indicted and the nature OF
the charges against them are suppressed,
however. for a few days. Mr.. Morgan H.
Beach, United States attorney for the Dis
trict Of Columbia explained to a Star re-
porter that, as was the case with the batch
Of indictments last reported, he is COM
PEELED to withhold from publication. for the
time being, the names of the persons
against whom the true bills were found to-
day. as well as the charges
1t is practically a certainty that the par
ties in question were already under in
dictment. Although three indictments
were returned today 1t is believed that
only two individuals are concerned. and
that by one of the papers they are indicted
Jointly. Both of the individuals concerned.
1t is understood, are non-residents Of this
city.
The case of former Assistant Attorney
General Tyner is being considered by the
grand jury piecemeal. so to speak. AS
evidence develops it is placed before the
grand jury. but no conclusion in regard to
the charges against Tyner has been
reached.
Assistant United States Attorney Taggart,
Inspector Mayer and another post office in
spector were very busy the greater part OF
today in Mr.. Taggart's private office at the
city hall. So far as could be learned no
witnesses were closeted with them. The
grand jury today considered three strictly
local criminal charges and. 1t is believed,
also heard some testimony relating to
phase of the Post Office Department inveS-
tigation.
One more batch of indictments IN the Post
Office Department cases is expected before
the present grand jury is finally discharg-
ed, at the end Of its term of service, Mon
day, October 5. The term of the jury has
been an unusually arduous one. AS rule,
the grand Jurors are excused from the emu
OF June until about a week prior to the
opening OF the October term Of the court
each year. but the jurors now serving have
been held to duty almost constantly during
this summer because of the Post Office De-
partment prosecutions.
1t Is the intention Of United States At
torney Beach to set the post Office cases for
trial at the earliest possible moment and to
proceed with them speedily as possible.
According to present plans the first tr,el
will occur the latter part of next month.
There IL reason for the belief that the
Machen cases will be among the first to be
heard.
Arrangements are being made for the
holding Of both Criminal Court No l and
Criminal Court No. continuously until
the criminal dockets are cleared of the
post office cases.
One of the criminal courts will very likely
confine its business to the post office cases.
Criminal Court No 9 Is without a Judge
owing to the fact that the vacancy caused
by the retirement Of Justice Hagner June
last has not been filled. Justice Pritchard
is assigned to Criminal Court No. l. and if
necessary. Chief Justice Clabaugh or JUS
tice Barnard, Justice ApG orson or Justice
Gould could presiCe IN Criminal Court No
temporarily. Furthermore, 1t is presumed
that one of the Seasoned judges would be
assigned to preside at the trials of the post
Office cases. rather than a newcomer to the
local bench, even If the President should
name Justice Hagner's successor prior to
the beginning Of the trials under discus
sion.
In connection with the vacancy on the
District Supreme Court bench 1t was ru-
mored about the city hall today that Judge
u. Theo Wright of the superior court Of
Cincinnati. Ohio. is slated for the appoint
ment.
Erwin Arrested
Chief Inspector Cochran officially gave
out the information today that Post Office
Inspector James w. Erwin, who was in
dicted last week together with George w.
Beavers and August W. Machen on
charge OF conspiracy to defraud the gov
ernment under section $40 of the Revised
Statutes, as amended. was arrested last
night in San Francisco.
simultaneously with this announcement
came report that w. w. Montague post
master at San Francisco, has resigned
At the Post Office Department today it
was impossible to verify the report al
though it was said that the newspapers of
the Pacific metropolis had printed it as a
fact.
Chief Cochran said that Erwin had been
admitted to bail in the sum Of 5000. The
Post Office Department will make an effort
to have Erwin brought to Washington for
trial. Erwin. in addition to being an in
spector, had the title of assistant superin-
tendent of free delivery.