Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-27
MACH[N ARRESTED
Superintendent Of Rural
Free Delivery
RECEIVING BRIBES
The Specific Allegation
Against Him.
RESULT OF HEARIN G
HELD FOR ARRAIGNMENT IN $780,
600 BONDS
Charged That He Took Money From
Letter Box Contractors+Other Ar
rests to Follow.
RESULT OF HEARING G
HELD FOR ARRAIGNMENT IN $780,
600 BONDS.


"Mr A. w Machen, general superfn-
at 1 o'clock today. He is charged with re-
ceiving bribes amounting in all to about
$4,000 in connection with a contract held
by Croft Brothers of Washington, D. c.,
for a patent fastener used on street letter
boxes known as the Croft fastener. The
Post Office Department in the past ten
years has used about 100000 worth of
these fasteners, and IL is shown by ample
evidence that for the past three years at
least Mr.. Machen has been receiving 40 per
cent of the amounts paid to the Groffs.
The transaction of the business was con-
Quoted by Diller B. Croft, who controls the
patent of his brother, Samuel A, police
man."
Warrant Sworn Out by Inspector
Mayer. ...-
This startling statement was given out by
the Postmaster General a few minutes
after 1 o'clock today. Just preceding it
Mr. Machen had been conducted out of the
office of Fourth Assistant Bristow by a
United States marshal Mr.. Machen had
been in the sweat box" all the morning
under the fire of Mr. Bristow and Attorney
General Robb He had admitted, little If
anything. according to the statement Of
Mr. Bristow afterwards, and at the con-
cluson of the hearing was placed under
arrest on warrant sworn out by Post
morning.
The technical charge against Mr.. Machen
is bribery. He was conducted without de-
lay to the Office of United States Commits
sioner Anson S. Taylor, 14O5 street.
where bond was fixed at $4,000. The bond
was speedily furnished by Philadelphia
bonding company.
An order has been issued for the arrest
Of the Croft brothers, and the officials are
bending every effort to have these men
apprehended without delay.
Postmaster Generals Comments.
In commenting on the work of the day,
Postmaster General Payne said this after
noon that the arrest of Machen was the
finest piece of detective work that he had
ever seen. There had been no admissions
by any of the people connected with the
plan which was being operated and which,
he said. there was no doubt had been in
successful operation for many years al
though as yet there was nothing to con-
h. f,rth har lo Il,
than three years.
The device in question is a patented
article which is universally used to attach
mail boxes to lamp posts 1t is the inven-
ton of Policeman Diller B. Croft, and its
manufacture and sale were conducted by a
brother of the policeman. The Office of the
firm was at 11O7 1 street northwest.
A reporter for The Star called at the
above address this afternoon, but Mr.. Grofr
had left a short time previous and could not
be located. D. b. Groff, son of d. B.
Croft who conducts a wall paper store at
TAI 9th street, was seen, and said he knew
nothing whatever about the business of his
father or uncle. He did not know he said,
Most Important Disclosure.
Postmaster General Payne regards the
investigation as the most important dis
closure made since the investigation began.
The end is not yet. he declared and the
investigation of Mr.. Machen has not been
concluded Mr.. Payne did not want to dis
close the details OF the transactions regard
ing the letter box device until the govern
ment had made Its case He said however
that there was not the slightest doubt but
that good case would be made out against
Machen and the Grofr brothers.
During the questioning of Machen this
morning. which lasted for over three hours
and was conducted Jointly by Messrs Bris-
tow. Robb and Fosnes. 1t is said that Mr.
Machen exhibited considerable uneasiness
but that he disclosed very little informa-
ton.
At the conclusion of the investigation
the arrest was made by Deputy United
States Marshal Springman.
Machen Removed.
Previous to the arrest Mr. Machen was
formally removed from his official posi-
tion.
Hearing Before Commissioner.
Shortly before / o'clock today a tele-
phoae message was received at the United
States marshals Office requesting that a
deputy be detailed on duty for the Post
Office Department. Deputy Cusck was
sent to the department in response to the
message and arrested Mr.. Machen a few
minutes before 1 clock.
A4x
6tates Commissioner Anson s. Taylor abou