The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1903-12-11

TIL e E IS q e RAIJDS.

TIL : /. J PO ] 9 ia I. i aF' 'R,A IJDs.
Bristows Report Conde demns yner,
Beavers and Matoheo.
WHO ROBBED THE GOVERNMENT
The Report shows that the 40.
oused Men Had Been Dishen-
est from the hioment
They Took omoe.
The brief OFT L. Bristow, Fourth
Assistant Postmaster- General, who
conducted the investigation of the
Uni ted States Post Ofilce Department
was made. public last week. 1t details
the glaring frauds, conspiracIes, black
mailing and footing Of the public
treasury that for, ten years had gone
on In this department. Of the public
service. It Is shown that in! most
cases the accused men had been dis
honest from the moment they took
Office.
In the case of August w. Machen,
Superintendent Of the Free Delivery
Division, Mr.. Bristow, openly charges
that he was forger when he entered
the service. AS the arch -conspirators
OF the department. he mentions for
mer Assistant Attorney-G General
Tyner, Chief George W. Beavers, Of
the Salaries and Allowances Division,
and August w. Machen, in charge Of
the Free Delivery Division. Barrett,
Tyner's nephew Is mentioned as a close
second to his uncle in plots to rob the
treasury.
The brief discloses the finding Of
forty four Indictments, though more
than this number have been recorded. !.
or these. fourteen were against
Machen on Various specific charges,
and eight were against George w. /.
Bea vers, In charge of the Division OF
Salaries and Allowances. There is no
attempt on Mr.. Brlstow's part to
smooth over single detail He fells
In a most open, matter-of- fact way
the methods by whom Post Otflce
Officials used their offices to put
money into their own pockets.
TYNER AND HIS NEPHEW.
The charges against Assistant At
torney-General Tyner for the Post
Office Department Indicate, in very
practical way, that he was in partner
ship with bis nephew, Barrett, who
had, been his assistant, in order to
profit by the non prosecution OF bond
investment companies, or ''get-rich-
quick" concerns that we're using the
mails to perpertuate their frauds.
Stop orders" had been issued against
these companies, .BristQw recites, by
Assistant Acknowledgement Thomas,
who declared they were "a greater
menance to society. than the aYowed
lotteries" = ~
Barrett wrote an opinion declaring
all bond Investment concerns fraudu-
lent and fniniml lcal to the postal Ia WE, 2,
but still suggesting that they be given
IAN opportunity" /" In order that the
{"get-rlch-quick'' concerns might not
tack the opportunity. Barrett resign
ed from his office and formed a part
nership with J. Henning Nefms, an
agent for one of these concerns. Then
they became attorneys for nearly all
OF them and thereafter the approval
of Assistant Attorney General Tyner
to any plan OF the Investment COM
panies was sure, If the application was
through his nephew, Barrett.
Elf. Bristow says that the fees of
Nelms and Barrett for the first fifty
i've days Of their copartnership were
900. The opinion Of Barrett, prior
TO his resignation from the depart
ment, had scared the investment com.
panies, who all fled to Barrett for
| protection. He obtained it through
his uncle. Mr.. Bristow takes up the
case OF each bond Investment company
and shows what was done.
Fraud orders were issued against the
Southern Mutual Company for using
the mails. Tyner arranged with the
law firm to allow the concern to do
business. Other concerns operated to
gull the public are mentioned, includ-
Ing the Physicians Institute, OF Chica-
go; d. J.. Arnold s. Co., the turf firm,
OF ST. Louis; J. J!Ryan 81 Co., and
others. 1t is pointed out that the
fraudulent concerns were able to use
the mails for six years under Tyner's
rulings.
A BANKRUPT AND FoRaER.
Mr.. Bristow finds against August
w. Machen as follows That he cen
tered the service In 1887, bankrupt
and forger; that he had then secured
loans from friends on false representa-
lions; that, as Superintendent Of the
Free Delivery System, he introduced
straps instead OF twine for the use of
carriers in tying up mail and collect
ed $50, 900 from George D. Lamb,
man with whom he had only verbal
contract for supplng the straps; that
the straps cost the Government Sl4,-
00c year.
That he made contract with John
Boyle s. Co., for the furnishing of
carriers shoulder straps and collected
a rebate from the firm for each strap
used; that he made a similar contract
with William G Crawford, Of Wash
ington, when the Boyle contract for
four years expired, and that by its
terms be entered into a conspiracy
with Crawford and George l. Lorenz,
OF Toledo, Ohio, to furnish straps and
divided the money received from the
Government. BY It's terms Machen