The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-21
Indictments and Arrests Which Have
Been Held Up May BE Announced
This Week.
MIR. LOUD NOW UNDER FIRE
CHARGES MADE AGAINST HIM BY
CIvIL-sERviCE OFFICIALS.
Opposition Effort to Discredit Presi-
dent Roosevelt by Attacking POST
master General Payne.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, June 20.-The political
question in the postoffice scandal has been
the most important development of the
past week. A concerted movement has
been organized to discredit the good inten-
tions of the administration.
The guns are trained on Henry c. Payne,
postmaster general. but the real target is
the administration. President Roosevelt is
being attacked over the shoulders of the
postmaster general. The fight was taken
up by the Democratic press early in the
week and has been continued with relent-
less vigor.
The purpose is to create the impression
that mistakes have been made in the con-
duct of the investigation, that the admin
istration countenances them and that the
President has decided upon policy of eva
sion and suppression. Reports are also cir
culated that serious differences have arisen
between the President and the postmaster
general
The opinion is expressed by an admins
tration leader tonight that neither the
President nor Mr.. Payne is at all alarmed
over this development in the situation. The
President has expressed satisfaction TO call
ers at the White House with the investiga-
tion as conducted by Mr.. Payne. The rec
ord presented to him on his return from
the West was an interesting one. 1t showed
surprising disclosures of bribery and cor
ruption and that prompt action be taken in
Furnishing wrongdoers.
Several arrests have been made and at
least twenty indictments are expected to
be handed down during the coming week in
New York and Washington. The friends of
the postmaster general say that, while he
is annoyed over the vindictiveness Of the
criticism directed against him. it will in no
way deter him from proceeding along the
lines he laid down at the beginning He
announced at the outset that all charges of
corruption would be probed to the bottom.
Whenever occasion called for an arrest or
dismissal action has been taken without
the least delay.
The postoffice investigation has been in
progress for more than three months. Ar
rests have been made, indictments have
been handed down and conviction in many
cases is certain. Few department officials
at the beginning placed any credence in the
wholesale charges of corruption and fraud.
made against any of the officials involved
have been substantiated. The graft of
August M. Machen, in the case of the Croft
fastener. were incidentally discovered by
the inspectors. No charge was made against
Machen in this connection at the outset
The air has been charged with rumors of
arrests and indictments for four or five
days. but owing to the masterful inactivity
of the legal authorities the investigation
has been delayed and the inspectors ham,
pered in their work, with the result of a
clash between the department and the dis
trict attorneys office i'm Washington More
action is promised for next week. The
scandal Is rapidly approaching a climax
There are many amusing developments
in the investigation. Some of them would
seem TO indicate that the congressional
conscience is very elastic. briggs. of New
York. former Democratic Representative.
unblushingly admitted that he received
money for representing automatic cash
register concern before the Department.
CONTINUED ON PAGE s. COL. 81