Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-27


United States District Attorney Taggert
appeared for the government.
At the request of Mr.. Taggart the hear
ing of the matter was continued until Sat
urday morning, June 6, at 1890 o'clock
Mr. Taggart said he desired the continu-
ance in order to have time to secure some
witnesses who reside out of the city. BY
agreement of counsel the bond was fixed
by Commissioner Taylor at $4,000 and the
Union Surety and Guaranty Company, with
home offices in Philadelphia, went surety
for Mr. Machen.
The charge upon which Machen was ar
rested was bribery and collusfon Accord
ing to the information, which was sworn to
by Walter S. Mayer. it was charged that
Mr.. Machen procured the issuance of orders
by the first assistant postmaster general
for the purchase of patented letter box fas-
teners amounting in aggregate to between
$4,000 and $4,000, of which sum, it was
alleged Machen received 40 per cent for
his services in securing the sale of the fas-
teners to the department
The first orders for the purchase of these
fasteners was issued July 2, 1900.
While the negotiations for the continu-
ance of the case and the release of Mr..
Machen were being conducted in Commis-
sioner Taylor's court room by the after
neys Mrs Machen sat in a small room in
the rear.
Mr.. Taggart at first suggested that the
bond be fixed at $25,OOO, but after discuss
ing the matter with Attorney Douglass the
attorneys agreed that the bond should De
fixed at $4,000, which was DONE
Following the disposition of the proceed
ings today Mr.. Douglass Joined his client In
the little room in the rear of Commissioner
Taylor's Office, where he stated to the re-
porters that the probabilities were that a
full hearing will be insisted on next Satur-
day morning to ascertain the nature OF the
charges against Mr.. Machen.
Mr.. Douglass said that he had been re-
tained by Machen several days ago, in an
ticipation of proceedings, and that he is
familiar with the transactions out of which
the present prosecution grew.
II am confident" said Mr.. Douglass,
that at the proper time l will be enabled
to show that the charges against Mr.
Machen are absolutely unfounded.
Mr. Machen was seated near his counsel
during the interview. but declined to make
any further statement in addition to What
Mr. Douglass had said. Mr.. Douglass init
mated that the time was too brief for him
to make any extended statement at the
time but that he might have something
further to give out later
Mr. Machen later, when asked for
statement in regard to his arrest. said:
This will come out all right. This is
merely a grand stand play
What the Inventor Says.
D. B. Grofr, the inventor, is a member
of the police force. He is detailed at the
Police Court During his long service in
the department he has enjoyed the fullest
confidence of his superiors. For long
time he was the financial man at the Po-
lice Court. Today he was called upon by
two post office inspectors In manner that
incensed him.
Instead of calling at his Office the in
spectors had Mai. Sylvester send for him to
meet them In his private office. A stenog-
rapher accompanied the inspectors. and
they had possession OF Maj. Sylvesters Of
flee for nearly thirty minutes. The officer
expressed his Indignation at the manner IN
which he had been given so much notoriety
about a matter in which he had taken no
part, and afterward telephoned the Post
master General his complaint a a
Major Sylvester assured the inspectors
that Policeman Croft was one of the best
men under him, and also that his character
was above reproach. Mr.. Grof was seen
by Star reporter, but he said he did not
care to discuss the matter at this time.
Order for Machen's Dismissal.
Postmaster General Payne has dismissed
Mr. Machen in the following order: "A w.
Machen is this day removed from the posi-
ton of general superintendent of the free
delivery service. His removal is made by
reason of malfeasance on his part in the
discharge of the duties of his office"
New Assistant Secretary.
Edwin w Lawrence of Rutland. VT. was
today appointed assistant attorney in the
office of the assistant attorney general for
the Post Office Department to succeed Dam
iel V. Miller, recently removed. Mr.. Law
renee is a member of the Vermont bar
One Resignation.
L. T. Gilbert a clerk in the Office of the
assistant attorney general for the Post Of
flee Department. today rendered his resig-
nation Mr.. Gilbert had just concluded his
annual leave, which he spent in st. Louis.
where he remains.
" Keyser of the same Office has been
promoted to the vacancy caused by Gilberts
resignation.
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