The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-09-16
EXAMINATION OF
BEAVERS BEGINS
Commissioned Hitchcock Holds
That the indictment Is Suf-
ficient Proof.

NEW YORK, Sept. 15-The pre-
urinary examination of George w.
Beavers. the former head of the SAL
aries and allowances division of the
general postoffice department, under
the Indictment returned against him
by the federal grand jury of Brooklyn,
charging him with conspiracy to de-
fraud the government through COM
plicity with the Brandt-Dent Manu-
featuring company, of Waterfowl,
Wis, was commenced today before
United States Commissioner Hitch
cock. The defendant was represented
by his counsel. Messrs. Morgan and
Seabury, who were reinforced by a
third lawyer, Max Stauer who con-
Quoted the examination.
The governments side of the case
was looked after by Assistant United
State District Attorney Wise, who has
had charge of the prosecution from the
beginning. Gen. Henry L. Burnett, the
United States district attorney of this
district was present.
The examination did not. as was ex-
pected, create any great excitement,
and the attendance was confinely prin-
c1pally to the newspaper men and a
few spectators, some of them evil
IDENTIFY friends of Mr.. Beavers. Sew
eral other men, said to be either post
Office inspectors or employees of the
government, were present.
The government had witnesses pres
ent to be called, it was re-
ported, in case that the commits
sioner decided the copy of the certi-
fed indictment was not sufficient to
hold Mr.. Beavers, and that it should
be necessary for the government to
present and complete its case.
After argument Commissioner
IitnhpnplS he no
sidered the question of the sufhciency
of the indictment, and it's being re-
ceiyed on proof, and that, in his opin-
ion, the certified copy of the indict-
ment was receivable as such proof
and he would admit it as such. Upon
the question as to the validity of the
Indictment he was not so ready to de-
eide.
The defense and prosecution offered
to submit memoranda on the point
raised, giving the decisions in support
of each of their contentious. and the
commissioner then adjourned the ex-
animation until Sept. IS, at which
time he will give a decision on the
point at issue. Upon the request OF
counsel the arraignment of McGeahan
and Huntington was adjourned until
Sept. %.
Statement From McGeahan.
Isaac S. McGeahan, the head of the
Columbia Supply company, of which
George H. Huntington is treasurer,
made a statement today in connection
with his connection with August w.
Machen. The Indictment charged con-
spiracy to defraud the government
through the sale of the large metal
boxes for mailing packages.
Mr.. Mcclellan stated that the Co
lumbia Supply company secured the
contract to furnish the package boxes
through competitive bid during the
administration of Postmaster General
Wanamaker the box then used being
so constructed that it sat close to the
ground and open to complaint on that
score. About this time, Mr.. Mcclellan
stated, the Columbia Supply company
secured from a Mr.. LoZier of Cleve-
land, the right to use an improvement
designed by him to overcome this OBJ
lection, upon the payment of so cents
for each box. The improvement of Mr..
Lozier seemed to be a box constructed
with higher legs. Mr.. Mcclellan ex-
planned that the Lozier device had not
been patented.
When the original bid was passed in
and when the Columbia Supply COM
pany commenced to furnish it's goods
to the department, he said, Mr.. Ma
chen was not an official of the depart
ment. The so cents per box royalty
was paid Mr.. Lozier. About two years
after the expiration of the original con-
tract and after the Supply company
had been for some time furnishing the
boxes with the Lozier Improvement,
Mcclellan said the Cleveland inventor
called upon him and stated he was
about to go to Europe for two years
and requested the company to pay his
royalties to Mr.. Machen who was, he
explained, interested with him in out
side matters and who would send the
money to his wife. During the con-
tinuance of the Lozier contract Mr..
Mcclellan says, the royalty was paid
as requested, but that was all the con-
nection his company ever had with Mr..
Machen. The contract was secured
long before Mr.. Machen became an Of
fetal Of the department. After the
Lozier contract ended, the Columbia
company furnished a box of it's own,
without the Lozier device.
Irwin is Ready.
SAN FRANCISCO, Cal, Sept IS
The delayed warrant charging Postal
Inspector John w. Irwin with con-
spiracy to defraud the government of
the United States arrived at the office
of Inspector Monroe today, and was by
carried to the office of United States
District Attorney Woodwork, where a
conference was held with that official.
1t was decided to delay making the ar
rest until tomorrow. In the mean
while the attorney will prepare the
papers on which the defendant will
be taken into custody and a warrant
of removal providing for Erwin's
transfer to Washington for trial in
company with G. w. Beavers and A.
W. Machen. The warrant will be is
sued by Judge Harry NJ. Clabaugh of
the supreme court of the District of
Columbia. Erwin announces his read
mess to answer summons at mo-
ment's notice and has arranged for
In mount