Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1903-06-03
Manager of Eural Free Delivery Will
Face Serious Charges
GETS OUT ON VERY HEAVY BAIL
Macher Is Alleged to Have Received
Tlany Thousand Dollars From Con
tracts Improperly Let.

-hdOhcu. tDe general superintendent OF
the free delivery service. was arrested
on q warrant issued upon the infor-
nation of postoffice inspector charg-
Ing him with having received rake
onS from contracts made with the
local firm OF Croft Brothers for pat
ent postal box fastener. The warrant
specifically charged him with receiv-
ing S1S.9S1.1S since August s. 1900 II is
alIeSed. however, at the Department
that this amount does not represent
all that Machen obtained in connection
with these contracts. it being charged
that he had proiited by them for sew
efal years prior to the date of the first
contract mentioned in the warrant
Other arrests are 10 follow
Immediately after Mr. Machen was
taken into custody. the Postmaster
General issued an order removing him
| from office. He had been practically
Under suspension for fortnight. pend
ing the investigation into his bureau.
I he discovery OF Machcn's alleged in
terests in the contracts was made
q"lte accidentally by the inspectors
some three weeks ago. and since then
their energies had been directed to-
ward making cut case.
Tuesday night after the authorities
| had become convinced that they were
N possession of the necessary evidence
II
the Department. Ee did so and was
subjected to a sweating" process by
the inspectors and Mir. Bristow for
three hours, but no admissions that he
! had prohted 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 cent Improperly.
No1n l,A
| warrant which had been prepared and
taken before a United States commits
| sioner where his attorney Immediately
I demanded q full hearing Assistant
! District Attorney Taggart. however.
| vas not ready to proceed with the
case and the hearing was set for June
! 5:h
Mr.. Machen gave n $4,000 bond fur
nishcd by Philadelphia bonding COM
| fany for his appearance declining to
! accept the proffer OF friends 10 so on
| his bond. After his release he declined
10 make any statement beyond the
single declaration that the whole thing
was Srand-stand play and he would
come out all right. His attorneys de-
ciared 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 CON
y
Ills administration OF the free delivery
service had been characterized by
ability and integrity.
| The Department officials claim that
their evidence is conclusive.
Ii is understood that civil suit will
he entered TO recover from Machen
the amount he is alleged to have re-
| Ce!ved on the contracts.
The warrant alleges several and sun
n-vr &c -,
ing money in an improper and illegal
manner
Then followed a number OF ether
| counts alleging that Mr. Machen re-
ceived the following specific sums for
letter box fasteners for the govern
ment: September 30. 1900. So. sol: De-
cember II. 1900. $4,000; August 81.
1901. S1.271; September Q. 1901. $753.50:
January IL. 1902. s724.9S: January 20.
1902. s2.500: April 8. 1902, S2.360.5 56;
August %. 1902. $3.50.
According to statements of Post
office Department officials there was
q go-5etween for the alleged transac-
hons in connection with the contracts.
The identity of this person is withheld
by the Department and the officials re-
fuse to tell what steps. if any. have
been taken looking to this appreher-
sion. 1t is stated that he does not re-
| Siue III washington anu Is not mere at
| present
Postmaster General Payne was ask
ed for the name OF this man but de-
| clined to discuss the subject. adding
that he knew nothing about it. The in-
| spectors. however. ii is stated, know
the Identity and movements OF the in
termediary. He may be arrested at any
time. The inspectors say the evidence
| they have is OF the most comprehen-
sive nature. 1t includes many drafts
! Of an alleged incrimiHating character.
bearing the signature Of Mr.. Machen
The evidence WAS worked up principal
ly in Washington, though much of 1t
| WAS obtained in other parts of the
| country. The final decision to make the
arrest was reached at 3 O'Clock this
morning, after protracted conference
| between the United States district
attorney and the inspectors.
The arrest created profound sensa-
ticu at the PostoGlce Department. TIE
news spread rapidly ana within few
| known generally. Postmaster General
Payno lest no time in con. r.unicatirg
| the ncws 10 the public. sUmmOning the
| newspaper men and saying: "MT. Ma
| chen iS now under ar.es. in this build
| Ing. Ee has received 4 large sum Of
| money from the contractors who sup
ply the government With certain ar
| tcles. The amount hc is charged wiin
receiving is over S20.C0c The Depart
ment will make a statement later In
tho day as soon as IL can be prepared"