The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-06-03
RURAL ROUTE
nACHEH ARRESTED.
Another Development in the Postal
Scandals.

Ksr. Macnen, the H6du VI eito
Rural Free Delivery Service, is
Arrested for Having Made
8,98l7S by Dishonest Use OF the
influence of his Position.
Washington May 27.-By far the
most sensational development OF the
postofice investigation up to this time
occurred today, when August W.
Machen, the general superintendent
Of the free delivery service, was ar
rested on warrant issued upon the
information of postofice inspectors
charging him with having received
s ssrake-ofs'' from contracts made with
the local firm Of Croft Brothers for a
patent postal box fastener. The warrant
specifically charges him with receiving
SIS, 96l. 78 since August 8, 1900. 1t is
alleged, however, at the department.
that this amount does not represent all
that Maehen obtained in conection
with these contracts, it being charged
tha5 he proited by them for several
years prior to tie date Of the first con-
tract mentioned in the warrant Other
arrests are to follow.
Immediately after Mr.. Machep was
taken into custody the Postmaster
General issued an order removing
him from Office. He had been prac-
tically under suspension for a fort
night pending the Investigation into
his bureau. The discovery Of Machen's
alleged interests in the contracts was
made quite accidentally by the in
spectors some three weeks ago, and
since then their energies had been
directed toward making out case.
Last nighG, 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 subjected to sweating"
process by the inspectors and Mr.
Bristow for three hours, but no ad-
mission that he had profted by the
contracts could be obtained from Elm.
He declined to answer many questions
on the ground that they related to his
private business, but insisted to the
end that he had not received cent
Improperly.
Nevertheless he was arrested on the
warrant which had been prepared and
was taken before United States COM
missioner, where his attorney inn
mediatel demanded full hearing.
AssistaI District Attorney Taggart
however, was not ready to proceed with
the case and the hearing was set for
June 5. Mr.. Machen gave $50. 600
bond, furnished by Philadelphia
bonding company, for his appearance,
declining to accept the proffer of
friends to go on his bond. After his
release he declined to make any state
ment beyond the single declaration
that the whole thing was grand stand
play and would come out all right.
His attorney declared that at the
proper time they would show con-
clusively that he had been guilty OF
no wrong in connection with the
contracts and, on the contrary, they
would be able to show that his ad-
ministration 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 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 As
sistant United States District Attorney
Taegart on a sworn statement made
today by Walter S. Mayer, a post
Office Inspector from the Chicago dis
trict, before United States Commis-
sioner Anson S. Taylor, in this city.
Inspector Mayer, in the several counts
in the complaint, alleges the receipt
by Mr.. Machen Of several specified
sums aggregating S18, 1881. IS, in con-
nection with the purchase for the use
of the department. Of certain letter box
fasteners.
After setting forth Mr.. Machen's
official position as superintendent OF
free delivery service in the postoffice
department the complaint says that
as such superintendent, Machen was
charged with the duty and invested
with the power, under the superpision
and with the approval of the first as
sistant Postmaster General, OF pur-
chasing for the use of the department
certain articles, among them letter
box fasteners. - Inspector Mayer then
states than one Samuel B. Croft and
one Diller B. Croft are the owners OF
patent invention for such letter box
fasteners and were engaged in busi-
ness as Croft Bros. The statement
then says that on July 2, 1900, Super
intendent Machen procured the is
suance of an order by the first as.
sistant Postmaster General for 5000
complete and 2,0S7 half fasteners Of the
Croft variety at the rate of S1.25 fol
one complete and s2.25 for two hall
fasteners, and that as superintendent,
he recommended and the treasury
paid 81, 551.S SO to the Croft Bros, fol
the fasteners aforesaid. The statement
then proceeds:
"The said order was procured by the
said August W. Machen upon col.
lusive understanding and agreement
between him and the said Diller B.
Croft, that he, the said August w.