The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-05-29
SUPERINTENDENT A. w. MAcHEN
SAID TO HAVE TAKEN A
LARGE BRIDE.
GIVES BOND WKEN ARRESTED
ACCUSED MAN SAYS THE WHOLE
THING is ONLY A GRAND.
STAND FLAY.

Washington, May 2S.-By far the
most sensational development of the
p%ostofice investigation up to this time
occurred when Augustus w. Machen
the general superintendent of the free
delivery service, was arrested on a
warrant issued upon the information
of %postoffice inspectors charging him
with having received "rake-offs' from
contracts made with the local firm OF
Croft Brothers for a patent postal box
fastener. The warrant specifically
charges him with receiving $18,9S1.7S
since August s, 1900. 1t is alleged,
however, at the department that this
amount does not represent all that
Machen obtained with his contracts,
1t being charged that he has profited
by them for several years prior to
the date of the first contract mention
ed in the warrant. Other arrests are
to follow.
Immediately after Mr.. Machen was
taken into custody, the postmaster
general issued an order removing
him from office. He had been prac-
tically under suspension for a fort
Al6uJ pSuulIS luS6SllSdIlOu luLO MS
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 energy had been directed to-
ward making out a case.
Machen Notified to Appear.
Tuesday night after the authorities
had become convinced that they were
In possession of the necessary evil
dence. Mr.. Machen vas notified to ap-
pear at the department Wednesday
morning. He did so and was sub
1ected to a Sweating" process by the
inspectors and General Bristow for
three hours, but no admissions that
he had profted by the contracts could
be secured from him. He declined to
answer many questions on the ground
that they related to his private bust
ness, but insisted to the end that he
had not received a cent improperly.
Nevertheless, he was arrested on the
warrant which had been prepared and
taken before a United States commits
sfoner. where his attorney Immediate
~ demanded a full hearing. Assist
ant District Attorney Taggart, how
ever, was not ready to proceed with
b case and the hearing was set for
June 5. Mr.. Machen gave a $40, 900
bond furnished by a Philadelphia bond
Ing company for his appearance, de-
Ginning to accept the prefer of friends
to go on his bond. After his release |
ne declined to make any statement
beyond the single declaration that
the whole thing was a grandstand play
and would come out all right.
His attorneys declared that at the
proper time they would show conclu-
slvely that he had been guilty of no
wrong in connection with the con-
tracts. n on the contrary they would
be able to show that his administra.
ton Of the free delivery service had
been characterized by ability and in
tegrity.
Evidence Is Conclusive.
The department officials claim that
evidence is conclusive. It is
understood that civil suit will be en-
tered to recover from Machen the
amount he is alleged to have received
on the contracts.
Diller B. Croft. one of the partners
the firm of Croft Brothers, who are
accused of having bribed A. w. Ma
chen for the purpose of procuring
purchase by the government of their
letter box fasteners, called at police
at night, stating that
mad heard a warrant for his arrest
was out. He was served with the war
rant and was released on $40, 900 bail
pending a hearing before the United
States commissioner today.
Samuel A. Croft, the other member
the Croft firm, was taken into Gus
tody later and was released on recent
bail in h sum of $1,000.
According to statements of post.
office department officials, there was
"go-betWeen' for the alleged trans
in connection with the con-
tract. The identity of this person is
withheld.
1t is believed at the postofice de-
partment that the government will he
able to recove the amount it alleges
have been received by Mr.. Machen.
HE was questioned minutelv with this
End in view by the inspectors, but. it {
Is stated, refused tt furnish satisfac- l
statements of the property he
owns. He is understood to possess
means. s
Mr.. Machen came to Washington !
from Toledo. O., more than ten wears /;
ago. He has been general superin-
[endent OF he free delivery depart- I
ment since May 6, 1898. t