Evening star., 1903-08-04
MORE INDICTMENTS
Several Are Expected by Post
Office Officials.
UNDER SURVEILLANCE
BEAVERS HAS BEEN WATCHED
SINCE HIS INDICTMENT.
UNDER SURVEILLANCE
Assistant Attorney General Robb
Going for Get Rich Quick Concerns
Plates Delivered to Herman.

More indictments expected"
This Is old, old story to the readers
of The Evening Star who have watched
the progress of the investigation of Post
Office Department affairs with interest.
This is, however, the exact status OF
things in the big granite building at 18th
and Pennsylvania avenue. When Post
master General Payne departed for his
coastwise voyage to Boston he impaired to
friends that he expected tangible results
from the deliberations of the grand jury
for the District of Columbia.
The Postmaster General expected, it is
known. that indictments would be returned
within twenty-four hours after his de-
parture against the persons who were in
dicted more. than two weeks later.
No Date for Close Of Investigation.
Mr.. Payne is not altogether pleased with
the stories that have been printed, and
which had what might be considered ex-
cellent basis for their publication, that any
particular date has been decided upon for
completing the investigation.
The Postmaster General is relentless in
insisting that the investigation, begun un-
der unfavorable conditions, but plethoric
with results thus far shall be continued
until every suggestion of rottenness in the
To this end, the grand jury of the Dis
trict of Columbia is still in session, and it
may be said on authority that will not be
questioned that Post Office Department af-
fairs are engrossing the attention of the
jury.
1t is understood that the jury is Just at
present cons .dering evidence that involves
at least three persons. all of whom not
residents of the District of Columbia
Postmaster General Payne is greatly
pleased with the work of Assistant Attor-
ney General Robb in making war on get
richquick' schemes that try to mulct the
people of the country and whose promoters
seek to use the mails to assist them in their
nefarious work.
Get-Rich- Quick Companies.
General Robb has been unremitting in
fighting these companies. One Of the first
that engaged his attention was the case
of the American Street Car Transportation
Company of BrOoklyn.
The scheme of this company was the old
and time worn. yet ever new to many per-
sons, endless chain scheme. The company
made strenuous efforts to gain official
recognition. but was given a solar plexus
blow from which it has never recovered.
Within the last week General Robb has
administered similar treatment to five type
writer companies in New York, who, the
evidence adduced at a hearing showed
were making money galore from unsophis-
ticated persons throughout the country.
These companies advertised that for 50 SO
cash they would send to any one type
writer and 1000 sheets of paper and would
pay $40 to SO per LOCO sheets of type
writing work that might be ordered.
The typewriters were such as are sold as
toys for children. They cost not to exceed
40 or so cents apiece, and the slow process
of working would take an amateur, If he
could stand the strain and the machine did
not go to pieces, months to get out 600
typewriter sheets.
These companies put up a stiff fight. but
nd hav
longer using the mails of the government
to defraud unsuspecting persons.
Another important fraud case that was
decided by Gen. Robb was that of Helen
Wilmans Post of Florida, who practiced
what is known as the mental healing or
absent treatment 1t is said that Mrs Post
became immensely rich by the scheme she
worked.
An Absent Healer.
A year ago last winter the case was heard
here in Washington, and more than half a
hundred witnesses from Florida were
brought here to testify. Some Of the best
legal talent of that state was also brought
into requisition by Mrs. Post and her hus-
band.
By a technicality of some kind Mrs Post
was enabled to pursue her absent treat
ment with excellent financial results until
the case came before Gen. Robb
Not a few lottery schemes have been ex-
cluded from the mails by Gen. Robb, and
he has also been a valuable adviser to
Postmaster General Payne and Fourth AS
sistant BristOw In the conduct of the in
VestigatiOn.
Beavers Under Surveillance.
For the first time, today it was learned
that the Post Office Department knows ex-
actly where George W. Beavers is 1t may
be said on authority that he has been under
surveillance constantly since an investiga-
~ of fnir u, fl,a ;-;-
and allowances was begun. He has not
been away from the eyes of an inspector
since he was indicted
August w. Machen, former superinten-
dent OF free delivery, who is under several
indictments for wrong doing in his admin
istration of that division, is still in Wash
1rgton He Is a daily visitor to the office
of his attorneys
II Is understood that he has made appeaIs
by letters and otherwise to not a few sena-
tors and members of the House of Repre-
sentatives for help, declaring that he is IN
an unpleasant pecuniary condition
Machen. it is said by persons who know
him well and who were wont to see him in
brokers offices during the time he was sl.-
perintendent of the division of free delivery
was constant patron of the stock market
1t is said he often lost heavily.
Plates Have Been Turned Over.
First Assistant Postmaster General
Wynne this afternoon received letter from
Paul Hermann of New York, t. whom was
awarded the contract for printing money
order blanks after a sensational investiga-
ton which resulted in the peremptory re-
moval of Superintendent MetcaG from the
office of superintendent of the money order
system, that the Wynkoop-Crawford-H Hal
lenback Company the present contractors
had turned over to him the plates whicn
belong to the government.
Third Assistant Postmaster General Mad
den came to Washington this afternoon to
look after q. few routine matters
with his office He will depart this even
ing for Boston to attend the annual con-
yention of the National Associa ton of Post
masters 1t is likely he will address the
convention, sessions of which will con-
tinue until Friday evening. Postmaster Cen
eral Payne and First Assistant Wynne will
be unable to attend
ASKED TO SHOW CAUSE.