Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-06-04
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandria Gazette
Washington, ID, c., June 4.


The federal grand jury of the District
of Columbia this morning took up the
case of August w. Machen, former
superintendent of free delivery, charged
with bribery in connection with the pur-
chase of patent mail box fasteners from
Croft Bros, of Washington. The case
was presented by Assistant District At
torney Taggart, the witnesses for the
most part being postOffice inspectors who
have been working up the evidence
against Machen for the past four weeks.
The greatest secrecy is being observed in
the matter, not even the names OF the
witnesses being given out by the Dis
trict Attorney. AS rapidly as possible the
hearing will be pushed to conclusion
but il is not thought likely that an IN
dictment will be reached today. On
this account, the preliminary hearing be-
fore United States Commissioner Taylor,
which is set for tomorrow, will probably
be postponed.
Andrew NJ. McBath, chief of the
paw division in the Office of the
auditor for the Postoffice Department,
was the first witness before the grand
jury following the presentation of the
case by Mr.. Taggart. He brought
with him large bundle of papers and
receipts, and was closeted with the grand
Jury for considerable time. POstofiice
Inspector Meyer, who worked up the
case against Mr.. Machen, is in constant
consultation with District Attorneys
Beach and Taggart.
1t was unofficially announced at the
Postofice Department this morning that
sufficient Roadway had been made by
the inspectors in the rural free delivery
division to indicate that gross favor
tism had been practiced in the es-
adjustment of rural free delivery
routes. Among the charges made
against Machen's administration of that
division was his attempt to build
up a political machine by favoring those
members of Congress who befriended him
and passing adversely upon the requests
of those who had criticised the free de-
livery management. The State of South
Carolina is given as an illustration. 1t is
charged that along many routes there are
not half dozen families and that these
receive very few letters or papers in a
years time
Shortly after 2 o'clock this afternoon
the grand jury adjourned for the day
without having finished the hearing in
the Machen case, which will be con-
tinued tomorrow.
The investigation into the collision
between the steamships Saginaw and the
Hamilton which resulted in the loss of
the latter vessel and about 20 lives,
which was ordered by Supervising In
spector General Uhler, has been delayed
by the sickness of Captain Tunnel, of
the Saginaw. The captain was injured
in the accident and has been suffering
from his hurts and nerves so much that
his physicians have declared it impos-
sible for him to stand the strain OF an
examination. General Uhler is, how
ever, anxious to get the investigation
sarted and he has today requested sur
geOn of the marine hospital service to
call upon Captain Tunnel in Philadelphia
and report as to whether his nervous
condition is really such as to warrant any
further delay in securing his deposition.
Announcement was made today by
Major General S. b. NJ. Young, chief
of the army generals staff corp, Of the
provisional assignment of officers of the
general staff to territorial headquarters
to take effect August Is next.
Senior Herran, Charge d'afaires of the
Colombian legation, received advises
from his government today that peace
has been reestablishedin that country.
Consul General McWade at Canton
teIegraphs the State Department stating
that Governor Wong telegraphs him
that over 900, 900 natives in Kwangsi
are starving and earnestly appeals for
help from American charity.