The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-16
BEAVERS MAKING FIGHT
PRELIMINARY HEARING OF THE
FORMER POSTAL OFFICIAL.
Motion Made to Dismiss the Proceed
ings-POstmaster General Payne
Unable to BE Present.

NEW YORK, Sept. 15.-The preliminary
examination of George w. Beavers, the
former head of the salaries and allowances
division of the General Postoffice Depart
ment, under the indictment returned
against him by the federal grand jury of
Brooklyn, charging him with conspiracy to
defraud the government through completely
with the fraudulent Manufacturing Com
pany, of WATERFOWL, Wis, was commenced
to-day before United States Commissioner
Hitchcock. Postoffice Inspector Little was
called to the stand for the purpose of
identifying the defendant, as required by
law. This being done, Max Staur. counsel
for defendant, moved to dismiss the pro-
ceedings on the ground that the facts as
alleged in the complaint were insufficient
and that no proof mad been presented for
the commissioners consideration in sup
port OF the indictment and complaint as re-
quired by law after argument. Commits
sioner Hitchcock said he had carefully con-
sidered the question of the Suff1ciency of
the indictment and its being received on
proof, and that in his opinion the certi-
fled copy of the indictment was receivable
as SUCH proof and he would admit il as
such. Upon the question as To the validity
or the Indictment, he was not so ready to
decide. The defense and prosecution Of
fered to submit memoranda on the point
raised, giving the decisions in support OF
each OF their contentious and the commits
sioner then adjourned the examination until
Sept Is, at which time he will give a de-
cision on the point at issue.
Isaac 3. Mcclellan, the head of the
Columbia Supply Company, OF which Geo.
H. Huntington is the treasurer, made a
statement to-day in explanation of his con-
nection with August w. Machen. The in
dictment charged conspiracy to defraud the
government through the sale of the large
metal boxes for mailing packages. He says
the company paid 80 cents royalty TO Mr..
Lozier, of Cleveland, for use of his i'm
provement The contract was secured long
before Mr.. Machen was appointed superin-
tendent. When Mr.. Lozier went to Europe
ne requested that the royalty be paid to
Mr.. Machen, who was, he explained, in
terested with him in outside matters and
who would send the money to his wife.
During the continuance of the Lozier con-
tract, Mr.. Mcclellan says, the royalty was
paid as requested, but that was all the
connection his company ever had with Mr..
Machen.
WASHINGTON, Sept. BIN accordance
with decision of acting Attorney General
Hoyt. declaring that the subpoena served
on the postmaster general yesterday TO APP
pear at the hearing I'm New York to-day
In the case of George w. Beavers. was
void, the postmaster general designated
Postmaster Inspector Lawrence Lether-
man as his representative at that hear
ing. Mr.. Payne said to-day that ii was a
physical impossiblity TO comply with the
subpoena, In any event aside from the law
| in the case. The subpoena, he pointed out
called for papers, documents and records
| covering years of operation of the depart
ment TO be produced before the United
| constant use in connection with the In
vestigation of the postal service and are
scattered throughout the country in the
| hands OF the inspectors.