The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-28


the telephone several times by friends who
offered TO go on his bond in any amount
that might be demanded, and several
friends called at the commissioners office
TO make similar tenders. Mr.. Machen told
all OF them that he preferred to give bond
through the guarantee company.
To all newspaper men Mr.. Machen said
that he had no extended statement to make
Tor publication To a representative of the
Associated Press he said: This will come
out all tight. This is merely grand stand
play. he declined TO make a further
statement, saying that his attorney would
speak for him.
Attorney Charles Douglas made this
statement:
Several days ago my firm was retained
Dy Mr.. Machen to look after his interests in
connection with the investigation of affairs
at the Postoflce Department / am, there
Tore, cognizant of the situation in detail 1
am confident that at the proper time we
shali De able 20 show in the most conclusive
way tnat not only has Mr.. Machen been
guilty or no wrong in connection with the
departments transactions with Croft Bros.
but that his administration of the affairs OF
the free delivery system has been charac-
terlzed by uprightness. integrity and ability.
L nave not determined yet whether full
preliminary hearing on Friday, June 5, will
be insisted on or whether examination will
be waived and bond given for trial before
the Supreme Court of the District of CO.
lumDia- The probabilities are however that
full preliminary hearing will be demanded"
Inc warrant was drawn by Assistant
United States District Attorney Taggart
SWOiH statement MADE To-Day by
Walter S. Mayer. a postoffice inspector
from the Chicago district. before United
states Commissioner Arson s. Taylor i'm
washington Inspector Mayer. in the
erai counts in the complaint. alleges that
the receipt by Mr.. Machen Of several speci-
ned sums, aggregating $lS,9S1.7S, i'm connec-
ZION d,on with the purchase for the use of the
After setting forth Mr.. Machen's official
position as superintendent of free delivery
in the Postoffice Department, the complaint
was charged with the duty and invested
with the power, under the supervision and
with the approval of the first assistant
postmaster general. of purchasing for the
use of the department certain articles
among them letter box fasteners" In
spector Mayer then states that one Samuel
3. Groff and one Diler Croft are the own
ers of a patented invention for such let
ter box fasteners and are engaged in bus
mess as Croft Bros. The statement then
proceeds:
The said order was procured by the said
Augustus w. Machen upon a collusive I'M
Outstanding and agreement between him
and the said Diller Groff that he. the said
Augustus W. Machen, was to be paid
certain proportion of the proceeds of any
warrant to be issued in payment of the
articles supplied under said order and the
promise of payment the said Diller Croft
to pay such proportion and that there
after and on the Sth day of August. A D.,
1900. and at the district aforesaid, the said
Augustus w. Machen did ask, accept and
receive of and was paid by said Diller y.
standing and agreement. the sum of 5000 IA
Then follows a number of other counts
alleging the receipt by Mr.. Machen of the
following specific sums in connection with
the letter-box fasteners to the government
Sept. 70, 1900, $2,5O1; Dec. IL, 1900, 5000; Aug
3, 1901 N,z71: Sept. 3, 1901, $3.50 jan II,
1902 sl2isS; Jan; 70, 1902. 81 800; April Q. 1902
s., 360.56; Aug. 22, 1902, $3.50.
According to statements of Postoffice De-
partment officials there was a 'go between"
for the alleged transactions in connection
i1pnfitV
son is withheld by the department. and the
officials refuse to say what steps, If any,
have been taken looking TO his apprehen-
SION. 1t is stated that he does not reside in
Washington and is not here at present
Postmaster General Payne was asked to-
night for the name of this man, but de-
clined to discuss the subject, adding that he
knew nothing else about it. The inspectors,
however, it is said. 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. 1t includes many drafts
of an alleged discriminating character bear
ing the signature Of Mr.. Machen. The evil
dence was worked up principally in WASH
ington. though much of it was obtained in
cision to make the arrest was reached at
o'clock this morning after a protracted con-
ference between the United States district
attorney and the inspectors.
The arrest created excitement at the Post
Office Department. The news spread rap
idly, and within few minutes after the
master General Payne lost no time in COM
municating the news to the public. Suisse
quently Mr.. Bristow gave out the statement
already mentioned.
Later the postmaster general made the
following supplementary announcement:
II suppose everybody knows what occurred
here to-day. There is more to be said,
except that civil suits will be instituted to
recover the amount which Mr.. Machen is
charged with taking. This is supposed to
be about 500 A warrant has been issued
for the arrest Of Diller b. Croft and Sam
uel A. Croft, the parties from whom the
box fasteners We're purchased. The depart
ment has no doubt whatever of the suffi-
cheney of the evidence. The MANAGEMENT
of this case and the securing of evidence
was very creditable to the fourth assistant
postmaster general and his subordinates in
charge of this particular branch of the in
vestigation. 1t was as skillfully handled as
any case with which ever had any expert
ence. They are deserving of special COM
mendation."
The postmaster general said that the
conclusion that there was sufficient proof
was reached at a. m. to-day. The matter
of arresting Mr.. Machen had been SUBJ
mitted to him (Payne) for final action. The
character of the evidence, he said might
be Indicated by the fact that such serious
step would not be taken without evidence
of the most conclusive character 1t is be-
lieved at the Postoffice Department that
the government will be able to recover the
amount ii alleges to have been received by
Mr.. Machen. He was questioned minutely
with this end in view by the inspectors to-
day, but, it is stated, refused to furnish
satisfactory statements of the property he
owns. He is understood to possess consid-
cradle means. Assistant Attorney General
Robb took a prominent part in the exam
ination of Mr.. Machen along this line. .