The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1903-09-23
ERWIN APPEARS
TO ANSWER CHARGE
PLACED UNDER ARREST on THE
CHARGE or CONSPIRACY TO DE
FRAUD U. $. GOVERNMENT.

FRAUD " >, GNJN EltN VI EN-
SAN FRANCISCO, September H.
James w. Erwin, assistant superinten-
dent of city free delivery and former
postal inspector, was formally arrest
ed yesterday afternoon on the indict-
ment charging him with conspiracy to
defraud the United States Government
and was at once released on bail. I'M
mediately after the service of the war
rant he was handed his notice of re-
moval from the postal service of the
United States Government.
The service of the warrant took place
in the chambers of United States Com
missioner e. II. Heacock i'm the APP
praisers' building. Shortly after
o'clock the accused entered the court
room accompanied by his attorney
Samuel Knight, and his two bondsmen
Willis G. Witter and Thomas Richard.
Among others present Interested in the
case were United States District Attor-
ney Marshal B. Woodwork, Postal In
spector James O'Connell, United States
PostofTicel Inspector in Charge Robert
r. Munro and Deputy United States
Marshal A. l.. Parish.
Judge Heacock allowed the accused
man to waive the reading of the war
rant as all parties in interest were tho
roughly conversant with it's contents.
The Judge stated there was no neces-
sity of going into the formality of iden-
tification of the accused, as every one
present knew him. and there was no
reason to instruct him regarding his
rights as to securing an attorney, as
he had already provided himself in
that respect This ended the formal
ceremony of the service of the war;
rant.
Attorney knight asked that the case
be set for hearing on September %, as
by that time he thought the defense
would have ample time to prepare it's
case. The Judge stated that his calen-
dar was pretty we'll filled up, but that
he thought insomuch as the accused
was anxious for a hearing at as early
a date as possible he would arrange to
meet the request of Attorney Knight
and the case was accordingly set to be
heard at that time at 10 a. m.
Attorney Knight brought up the
question of the amount of bonds re-
quired for his client, and being inform
ed by the Judge that $4,000 was the
amount required by the United States
Government Knight said his client was
ready to furnish the amount and the
bond was forthwith prepared and
duly signed by his bondsmen, Willis G..
Witter and Thomas Richard.
Just as Erwin arose and was pre-
pairing to leave the court room Postal
Inspector Munro stepped forward and
handed him his letter of dismissal from
the service of the Government. II
read as follows:
Office of the Postmaster General
Washington, d. c., September 9, 1908
Sir: You are hereby removed from
the position of assistant superintendent
city free delivery, said removal to be-
come effective on the date of the deli
very of this letter to you. Very res
pectfully
H. C. PAYNE, Postmaster General
Erwin accepted the letter and after
reading it remarked in subdued tones
This closes my career with the Gov
eminent after sixteen years of faithful
and conscientious service" Being ad-
monished by a number of intimate
friends who were with him mat sc
soon as he had been indicated of the
charges against him he would undoubt.
eddy be reinstated he replied: Yes
that is all very well, but just the
same for the present this letter puts
an end to my connection with the
Government and 1 am out of that SER
vice now"
Attorney Knight stated that hi
thought by September % they would
have their case fully prepared ant
evidence sufficient, he thought, to keel
his client from being sent to Wash
ington for trial