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

Associated Press Dispatch.


Associated Press Dispatch.
WASHINGTON. May 27.-August w.
Machen. general superintendent of the free
delivery service, who was arrested to-day,
is specifically charged with receiving sls,-
eSln since Aug. s. 1900. 1t is alleged at the
Postofice Department that this amount
does not represent all that Machen obtained
with his contracts. II is charged that he
has profited by them for several years prior
TO Aug. s. 1900 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 under suspension for fortnight pend
ing investigation in his Office.
The discovery of Machen's alleged inter-
ests In the contracts was made accidentally
by the inspectors some three weeks ago
and since then their energies had been di-
rected toward making out case Last
night after the authorities had become con-
vinced that they were In possession OF the
necessary evidence Mr.. Machen was aked
TO appear at the department this morning.
He did so, and was subjected TO sweat
ing process by inspectors and General
Bristow for three hours. but no admissions
that he had prohted by the contracts could
be secured from him. He declined to an
swer many questions on the ground that
they related to his private business. but in
sisted TO the end that he had not received
cent improperly. Nevertheless he was ar
rested on a warrant which had been pre-
pared and was taken before United States
commissioner, where his attorney imme-
diately demanded full hearing Assist
ant District Attorney Taggart, however,
was not ready 10 proceed with the case
Machen Mac ZEN gave gave "a a bond for 5000. SEQ c"n furnished
by a Philadelphia bonding company for
his appearance, declining TO accept the
Rfter his % release . Mr. Maehen 9oha declined to
make any statement beyond the single dec
laration that the whole thing was a grand
stand play and would come out all right
His attorneys declared that at the proper
time they would show conclusively that he
had been guilty Of no wrong in connection
with the contracts and. on the. contrary.
they would be able to show that his admin
istration of the free delivery service had
been characterized by ability and integrity
The department officials assert that their
suit will be entered 10 recover from Machen
the amount he is alleged TO have received
on the contracts.
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General
Bristow this afternoon issued the following
statement: Mr.. A. w. Machen. general
superintendent free delivery service, was
with receiving bribes amounting In all TO
about $4,000 I'm connection with a con-
tract held by Groff Bros. OF Washington.
ID. c.. for a patent fastener used on street
The Postoffice Department. I'm the past ten
years. has used about 10000 worth OF
these fasteners and III it SHOWN by ample
evidence that for the past three years. at
least Mr.. Machen has been receiving -
per cent OF the amounts paid 10 the Groffs.
The transaction OF the business was con-
Quoted by Diller b. Croft who controls the
patent OF his brother. Samuel NJ. a police
man..
Postmaster General Payne dismissed Mr..
Machen In the following order: "A. w.
Machen is this day removed from the posi-
ton OF general superintendent OF the free
delivery service. His removal II made by
Af ms - on m m a
discharge OF the duties OF his office.'
Mr.. Payne made the announcement OF the
arrest at / o'clock In a voice that trembled
with emotion Mr.. Payne said: Mr..