Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-28
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come later. as already stated and bond
was furnished
Samuel Groff's Invention.

CoHie idter, as already stated, and BOND
was furnished
Samuel Groff's Invention.
The Grofrs are natives of Pennsylvania.
where they lived in Lancaster county before
coming to this city. Samuel A. Croft has
been a member OF the police force for
nearly twenty years. Like many others
connected with tho police department, he
was not content to live upon his salary.
and he dealt in real estate to some little
extent His brother was in the real estate
business on a large scale. and 1t Is said
both men accumulated money About ten
years ago the police officer spent some time
on several inventions, and about 1894 he
patented what Is known as the automatic
letter-box adjustment, automatic indicator
and letter-box post One-half interest In
the patent was assigned to his brother.
who was to look after the business as the
policeman's time would not permit him to
take an active part in the work of putting
the invention on the market.
so far as l am concerned. said Samuel
A. Croft to a Star reporter, Il know moth
ing Of the affair SO far as money being
paid to officials is concerned. l patented
the article in question. and its merits
proved all the influence that was neces-
sary to get 1t introduced in the Post ONCE
Department.
He referred to a circular issued shortly
after he invented the adjustment. which.
he said. would give the reasons why 1t was
adopted by the government. These reasons
are set out as follows:
First 1t Is a neat and novel device. which
is pronounced so by all who have seen II.
and will save the general government thou
sands of dollars
Second. 1t holds the box in firm and
perpendicular position. 1t can be attached
and automatically locked in an instant. and
can be unlocked and removed as readily
by simply pressing the spring.
Third. 1t gives clear inside surface to
the box. as 1t requires no bolts. such as the
present Objectionable manner Of adjusting
with projecting bolts and yokes. which
causes mail matter to lodge upon, and in
many cases soil or tear the same. well
as lacerate the hands of the collector.
Fourth. Water cannot enter the box and
soil the mails. there are no holes re-
Quired. which are necessary In the old
ment.
Fifth. 1t can be easily attached to any
surface of any material, fiat or round. and
when once adjusted will last as long as
painted iron will endure in the elements.
Sixth. 1t is composed Of the best malle-
able iron. and will not get out of order.
The Inventors Statement.
IF my brother has done anything wrong"
said the inventor, II know nothing of 1t.
and at this time there Is no reason for me
to believe that he has. We have had deal
ings together since boyhood, and I've always
found him fair and upright.
After the patent was obtained exhibit
ed 1t to Mr.. Willett, who was the city post
master, and he requested me as favor not
to exhibit 1t to other officials as he wanted
this city to get the equipment first. / told
him / had already shown 1t to other Off
Gals, but was told it could not be intro
duced, as there was no money appropriated
from which payments could be made. After
the patent had been exhibited for about ten
months an order came for a number of
them to be supplied the city Of Wash
ington. / turned all the business over to
my brother. Diller b. Croft. and told him
to do the best he could with ii. as l then
had three other inventions under way. Hav-
ing dealt with my brother since boyhood.
and well knowing his absolute honesty i'm
his dealings with me, assigned him one-half
interest in the business believing / would
be properly dealt with According to his
recent statement 1 believe he has fulfilled
his part of the contract
mot having seen bill or voucher In re-
gard to the business. but depending entirely
upon the honesty of my brother. who, be-
lieye made proper returns to me, I'm not in
a position to give figures at this time. So
far as officials of the Post Office Depart
ment who are accused of having received
money are concerned, would hardly know
them IL were to meet them on the street.
never having had any business with them
except through my brother.
IF anybody received one penny of profit
outside of my brother and myself. my
brother has most certainly deceived me.
But believe he has made correct returns
to me, and stiil believe in his honesty"
ments have been made about him, and he
does not intend to let the offenders 30 un-
punished. He said he will procure war
rants for these persons at the proper time.
and he will not quit until his vindfcation Is