Willmar tribune., 1903-06-03

Former Superintendent of Free Delivery
Service Accused Of Bribery.
everyone connected with them, ought
to be severely punished. If, however,
they have been made improvidentially
and without sufficient evidence, pub
lie censure, swift and strong, should
fall upon the heads Of the responsible
parties. Mr.. Machen has been a long
time in the public, service, and he is
widely and favorably known through
out the United States, and it is due to
him that the public should not pre-
judge his case, but should patiently
await developments which are sure to
come. Mr.. Machen is ready to meet,
in the clearest and most satisfactory
way, the charges nowspecificaHy made
against him, and he now generally
and publicly invites the most rigid in
vestigation into every act and transac-
tion of his official life. More than this
should not now be said"
Mr.. Machen, under advice OF his
counsel, refused to discuss, the case.
Hearing of Gron Case Set for June 8.
firm of Croft Brothers, manufacturers
of letter box fasteners, who was ar
rested Wednesday for alleged bribery
of Former Superintendent A. w.
Machen, of the free delivery system,
post Office Department., appeared be-
fore United States Commissioner
Taylor Thursday for preliminary ex-
animation. He was accompanied by
Samuel Maddox, his attorney. and his
son, Diller F. Croft. Post Office In
epector Meyer appeared as the COM
plainant for the government.
After consultation by telephone
with Assistant District Attorney Hugh
Taggart, the preliminary hearing was
postponed until Tuesday, June 9. Mr..
Taggart desired the hearing to be set
for Saturday, June 6, but Mr. Maddox
insisted that it go over until June 9.
To this the government agreed.
Mr.. Croft then renewed his bond for
$4,000 given Wednesday night, Attor-
ney Maddox and Diller F. Croft quail
flying as bondsmen.
May Turn States Evidence.
A large corps OF inspectors, includ-
ing some of the veterans of the secret
service were at work probing into the
alleged irregularities at the post Of
flee department. Thursday, but no fur
ther arrests were made. It is said
to be possible that the intermediary
who it is alleged figured in the trans
actions which led to the arrest of Au-
gustus w. Machen, the formeK general
superintendent of the free delivery
service may turn states evidence. His
identity has not yet been disclosed.
Further Investigations.
A much more rigid .overhauling of
the affairs of Mr.. Beavers former Of
fee will begin shortly. The salaries
and allowance division snow in charge
| of former assistant superintendent,
who is veteran inspector, and the de-
partment thought for this reason it
could concentrate its investigz ting
work along other lines that needed i'm
mediate attention. The Investigation
of the affairs of the free delivery di-
vision, it is stated, has not been inter-
rupted by the arrest of Machen. The
inspectors who brought about that
result are continuing their inquiry,
and will probe into other charges
against Mr.. Machen. y....-~.Es<,.. 80
Says He Caa Disprove Charges.
Terre Haute. Ind, May 2s.-Daniel
Y. Miller, former assistant attorney
general for the post Office depart
ment. who was arrested at Washing
ton on Monday on the charge Of CON
spiracy to solicit q bribe, arrived
here Wednesday night. Mr.. Miller
stated in an interview that he would
be able to disprove al the charges
against him. He admitted that he
made trip to st. Louis last Feb
ruary, but stated that It was on o1R.
cial business not IN any way con.
nected with the turf fraud orders
He says that 10 may have told som1