Evening journal., 1903-05-28
MACHEN ACCUSED
OF TAKING BRIBES
Superintendent of Free Rural
Mail Delivery System
Under Arrest
"RAKE OFFS" FROM CONTRACTS

Washington, May 2S. - By far the
most sensational development of the
postofiice investigation up to this time
occurred when August w. Machen,
the general superintendent Of the free
delivery service. was arrested on a
warrant issued upon the information
of postofiice inspectors, charging him
with having received "rake-offs" from
contracts made with the local firm of
Croft Bros. for a patent postal box
fastener. The warrant specifically
charges him with receiving S1S,9S1.7S
since August 8, 1900. It is alleged,
however, at the department, that this
amount does not represent all that
Maehen obtained in connection with
these contracts. : being charged that
he has proflted by them for several
years prior to the date Of the first
contract mentioned in the warrant.
Other arrests are to follow.
Immediately after Mr.. Machen was
taken into custody the postmaster gem
eral issued an order removing him
from Office. He had been practically
under suspension for a fortnight pend
ing an investigation into his bureau.
The discovery of Machen's alleged
interests in the contracts was made
quite accidentally by the inspectors
some three weeks ago, and since then
their energies had been directed toward
making out case. After the authori-
ties had become convinced that they
were in possession of the necessary
evidence, Mr. Machen was notified to
appear at the department. He did so,
and was subjected to a Sweating pro-
cess by the inspectors and General
Bristow for three hours, but no admis-
sions that he had profted by the con-
tracts could be secured from him. 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 a cent
improperly. Nevertheless, he was ar
rested on the warrant which had been
prepared and taken before a United
States commissioner where his attor-
ney Immediately demanded a full hear
ing. Assistant District Attorney Tag
gart, however. was not ready TO pro-
coed with the case, and the hearing
was set for June s. Mr.. Machen gave
n $4,000 bond, furnished by a Phila-
delphia bonding company, for his ap-
pearance. declining to accept the prof
fer of friends to go on his bond.
After his release, Mr.. Machen de-
clined to make any statement beyond
the single declaration that the whole
thing was a grand-stand play and
would come out all right. His attor-
neys declared that at the proper time
they would show cOncmsively that he
had been guilty Of no wrong in connec-
tion with the contracts, and, on the
contrary, they would be able to show
that his administration of the free de-
livery service had been characterized
by ability and integrity. The depart
ment officials claim that their evidence
is conclusive 1t is understood that
civil suit will be entered to recover
from Machen the amount he is alleged
to have received on the contracts.
According to statements of postofice
department officials. there was a go
between for the alleged transactions in
connection with this contract The
identity Of this person is withheld by
the department, and the officials refuse
to say what steps. if any. have been
taken looking to his apprehension. 1t
is stated that he does not reside in
washington and is'uot here at present.
The inspectors, however, it is stated,
know the identity and movements of
the Intermediary. He may be arrested
at any time. The inspectors say the
evidence they have is of the most COM
prehensive nature. It includes many
drafts of an alleged discriminating char
acter. bearing the signature of Mr. Ma
chen. The evidence was worked up
principally in Washington, though
much of Il was obtained in other parts
of the country.
Diller B. Croft, one of the partners
in the firm Of Croft Bros, called at
police headquarters last night, stat
ing that he had heard a warrant for
his arrest was out He was served
with the warrant and was released on
SIC. 900 bail, pending a hearing before
the United States commissioner.
Samuel A. Croft. the other member
of the Croft firm, was taken into Gus
tody later and was released on re
ceipt Of bail in the sum of $4,000.