Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-28
provision with relation to the giver OF

1t is believed at the POST OHlce DePdie
ment that the government will be able TO
recover the amount 1T alleges to have been
received by Mr.. Machen. He was ques-
toned infinitely with this end in view by
the inspectors today. but, 1t Is stared. re-
fused to furnish satisfactory statements OF
the property he owns. He is understood 10
possess considerable means. Assistant AT.
torney General Robb took prominent part
in the examination of Mr.. Machen along
this line.
An Intermediary.
According to statements of Post Office
Department officials there was so-pe-
tween for the alleged transactions In con-
nection with the contracts. The identity
of this person is withheld by the depart
ment, and the officials refuse to say what
steps, if any, have been taken looking TO
his apprehension 1t ia stated that ne does
not reside in Washington and Is not here
at present.
Postmaster General Payne was asked for
the name of this man, but declined to dis
cuss the subject, adding that he knew
nothing about 1t. The inspectors however,
it il stated, know the identity ana move
ments of the Intermediary. He may be
arrested at any time.
The Groffs Arrested.
Diller B. Croft, the real estate dealer. and
Samuel A. Croft, the police officer, whose
names were mentioned so prominently In
connection with the investigation and ar
rest of August W. Machen yesterday. were
put under bond last night for their appear
ance to answer a charge Of alleged bribery
The former furnished $4,000 bond. with
his counsel. Mr.. Samuel Maddox, and his
son, Diller F. Croft, as sureties. Alvin W.
Chaplin qualified as bondsman for Samuel
A. Croft in the sum OF 5000 The GroHs'
nr6o vs0
toned at length by the post ONCE inspect
ors yesterday, and they concluded from the
tone of the questioning that one, and possi-
bly, both, Of them would be arrested. II
such was to be the case the brothers were
ready and willing to furnish bond in any
amount and they desired that the proceed
ings be had in the daytime. when they
would have no trouble in finding their
bondsmen. After the interview with the
inventor of the automatic 1etter-box ad-
justment, Samuel A. Croft. at police head
quarters, as stated in yesterdays Star. the
inspectors were taken by the inventor to
the house of his brother. on street, where
the latter answered numerous questions put
by the inspectors. 1t Is said that the In
spectors inquired into the personal affairs
of the men and questioned them concerning
the amount of real estate they owned. This
happened early in the day, but 1t was not
until the Groff's read The Evening Star
that they knew they were to be arrested.
"A.
ters shortly after The Star appeared on the
streets and saw his superior officers. but no
warrant had been received there for him
and he departed for home about o'clock
Before leaving he informed Major Sylvester
that he would remain at home during the
evening in order that no trouble would be
experienced should he be wanted.
His brother went to police headquarters
when he learned that he was wanted and
did not put the officers to the trouble OF
for nd
arrest. Detectives Weldon and OBrlen
were sent out to look for him shortly after
clock. and it was due to them that Mr..
Croft learned that the warrant had been
issued He was visiting friends in North
east Washington at the time. He left the
house of his friends as soon as he learned
that the warrant was In existence and hur-
ried to headquarters to meet It, 1t was
nearly o'clock at night when 1t became
definitely known that Samuel A. Croft was
wanted to answer warrant Deputy
United States Marshal Springman called at
headquarters and asked for assistance. He
wanted somebody who was acquainted with
Samuel A. Croft to go with him to the lat
ter's house on North Carolina avenue. and
accompany him. The inventor was at
home, as he had told Major Sylvester lac
would be. and he Joined the deputy and
detective at the corner and went with them
to the residence of United States Commits
sioner Taylor, where the bond was given.
Mr.. Croft deemed it a strange proceeding
to wait until his bedtime to take him from
his home when the warrant had been issued
during the day and he had been In com
pany Of the men who brought the charge
When Officer Croft was summoned to police
headquarters yesterday and 1t was thought
he was probably under arrest. friends
swarmed to his assistance and assured him
that their confidence in his honesty and iti-
tegrity had not been shaken. Numerous
offers were made to give bond for him, but
he said he could not see how such an
emergency could arise. The warrant did