Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-03
POSTAL FRAUD GASES.
Beavers in Court-Dates for Other
Trials-Mr. Madden Accused.

New York, Nov. George w. Bea-
committed to the custody of the United
States marshal. today, at the conclusion
of the taking of testimony in the hear
ing on removal proceedings before
Commissioner Hitchcock. The COM
mitment stands pending the action of
United States Circuit Judge Holt on
the warrant for the removal of Beavers
| to the jurisdiction Of the eastern cir
| cult of New York for trial on the
Brooklyn indictment. He had been held
| in $4,000 bail awaiting Judge Hollis de-
cision.
Action was taken by Beavers cOun-
sci to vacate the warrants for his re-
moval to Washington for trial on the
last three Washington indictments by
the same means by which the first
washington warrant was vacated,
Beavers being surrendered and appli-
| cations for writs of habeas corpus be-
ing made to Judge Holt for his release
on the ground that simultaneous pro-
ceedings for his removal to different
districts are illegal. On these appli-
cations Beavers was admitted to $4,000
bail by Judge Holt, the total bail on
which he is held being reduced from
$4,000 to $4,000 by the two proceedings.
The testimony introduced, today, was
that Of Post Office Inspector Oldfield.
who testified about the purchase of
the automatic machines and his ac-
quaintance with Beavers, Congressman
briggs of Brooklyn, and George r. Mil
Ter, local manager of the Brandt Co.
Beavers counsel moved to dismiss
the proceedings before the commits
sioner for the application for warrant
of removal for the accused to the east
ern district of New York, the motion
specifying many legal and technical
reasons why the accused should be dis
charged. Commissioner Hitchcock de-
MED the motion and formally commit
ted the defendant.
The cases of A. w. Machen, Miller B.
and Samuel A. Croft and George E. and
Martha Lorenz, indicted on charges of
conspiracy in connection with the sale
of letter box fasteners to the post Office
department, We're, today, set for trial,
Nov. 20.
Postmaster General Payne, today, adj
mitted that an investigation is being
made of charges involving the Office of
Third Assistant Postmaster General
Madden, in connection with the specu-
lation of philatelists in certain valuable
specimen postage stamps. The charges
were made in a philatelic organ in
April, 1902, but were only brought to
the attention of the President and post
master general, it is stated, last Fri
day, when an investigation of the mat
ter was Immediately ordered. The in
vestigation is still in progress. Mr..
Madden, today, gave out a statement
in which he says:
Il court the fullest and most search
ing investigation. 1t will show the alb
solute falsity of such charges. There
has not been during my administration
single stamp sold or a single proof of
a stamp sold by me to any collector or
to any other person whatsoever. Any
statement to the contrary is false"
. Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow has charge of the postal inves-
tigation and was closeted with Mr..
Madden. today, presumably in connec-
ton with the published statements, but
he declined to discuss the matter. POST
IlldSteE beIltIftl L dyile Sdlu toudy, THAT
while the charges made in the philatelic
organ were not directed against Mr..
Madden, the allegations, however, in
volved his office.
1t was stated, tonight, by member of
the cabinet that for years past it had
been the custom of the parties having the
contract for printing the stamps to fur
nish the third assistant postmaster gen.
eral with what are known as proof sets
of the series printed. These proofs are
printed on cardboard and are of no com
mercal value. Gen. Bristow, under in
structions from the postmaster general.
has the matter in hand. but the member
of the cabinet referred to states that the
custom of permitting persons to have
proof sets was a long established one.