The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-05-29

washington, May 27.-By far the most
sensational Development OF the postot-
fee investigation up TO this time oc-
curred todav when Augustus W. Ma
chen. the general superintendent Of the
free delivery service, was arrested on
a warrant issued upon the information
OF postOfice inspectors charging him
with having received rake-offs from
contracts made with the local firm OF
Croft Brothers for a patent postal box
fastener. The warrant specifically
charges him with receiving $18,9S1.1S
since August Sth. 1900. 1t IS alleged.
however, at the department. that TINS
amount does not represent all that
Machen obtained in connection with
these contracts. It being charged that
he himself profited by them for seVeral
wears prior to the date of the first con-
tract mentioned in the warrant. Other
arrests are TO follow. Immediately al
ter Mr.. Machen was taken into custody,
the postmaster general issued an order
removing him from office. He had been
practically under suspension for 4 fort
night pending the investigation into
his bureau.
The discovery of Machen's alleged IN
tarests in the contracts was made quite
accidentally by the inspectors some
three weeks ago and since then their
energies had been directed toward
making out q case. Last night after
the authorities had become convinced
that they were in possession OF the
necessary evidence, Mr.. Machen was
notified TO appear at the department
this morning. He did so and was SUD-
iected to a sweating process by the
inspectors and Mr.. BristOw for three
hours, but no admissions that ne had
Drofited by the contracts could be Sc
cured from him. He declined to ans
wer many questions on the ground that
they related to his private business.
but insisted to the end that he had not
received 4 cent improperly. Neverthe-
less he was arrested on the warrant
which had been prepared and taken
before Il United States commissioner
where his attorney Immediately de-
manded a full hearing. Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Taggart, however. was
not ready TO proceed with the case and
the hearing was set for June 5th.
Mr. Machen gave a 1000 bond. FUR
nished by a Philadelphia bonding COM
pany. for his appearance. declining 20
accept the prOffer Of friends to go on
his bond After his release ne declined
TO make any statement beyond the sin
gle declaration that the whole thing
was q grand stand play and would
come out all right. His attorneys de-
CIared that at the proper time they
would show cOnclusiVely that he had
been guilty OF no wrong II connection
with the contracts, and. on the CONTRA
ry they would be able to show that his
administration of the free delivery ser
vice had been characterized by ability
and integrity. The department officials
claim that their evidence is conclusive.
It is understood that a civil suit will
be entered TO recover from MaChen the
amount he is alleged TO have received
on the contracts.
The warrant for Machen's arrest was
drawn by Assistant United States Dis
trict Attorney Taggart on i sworn
statement made today by Walter 5.
Mayer, a pOstOffice inspector from the
Chicago district, before United STATES
Commissioner Arson S. Taylor in this
city. Inspector Mayer in the several
counts in the complaint alleges the re-
ceipt by Mr. Machen of several spec1-
fed sums aggregating s1S.9S1.7S in con-
nection with the purchase for the use
OF the department Of certain letter box
fasteners.
After setting forth Mr. Machen's Of
fetal position as superintendent OF tn
free delivery in the postoffice depart
nent, the complaint says that as such
Superintendent Machen was charged
with the duty and invested with the
power, under the supervision and witt
the approval of the first assistant post
master general. of purchasing for tbs
use OF the department certain articles
among them letter box fasteners.
Inspector Mayor then states that ont
Samuel 8. Croft and one Diller B. Brof
are the owners of a patented invention
for such letter box fasteners and were
engaged in business as Croft Brothers
The statement then says that on Jul!
End, 1900, Superintendent Machen pro
cured the Issuance of an order by tn,
first assistant postmaster general 70
1000 complete and 2,OS7 half fastener
Of the Croft variety at the rate of S12