Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-28

of the irregular practices in the depart
ment. And this takes time. But the peo-
pie actually charged with the daily work
on the Investigation are more hopeful.
A somewhat new aspect is given the whole
situation In view of the suddenness of the
developments of yesterday. What l mean
is that the Machen matter came to head
so much more quickly than was expected or
hoped that it has temporarily halted pro-
ceedings.
II want to say again" continued Mr..
Payne, that the work of those in charge
of this case is remarkable, both for the
completeness of the results and the speed
with which they were accomplished"
Future Scope of Investigation.
In speaking of the future scope of the
investigation Mr.. Payne indicated that
there was yet much work of Importance
the attorney generals Office and in the
salary and allowance ..vision.
The arrest of Mr.. Machen on the charges
made may be considered as merely an in
cident in the investigation" he said, that
is. when the serious nature of the charges
made is considered. and also in cOnside:a-
ton of the smallness of the amount involv-
ed In this particular charge against Ma
chem, '..
AS foretold in The Star yesterday, the
arrest of the Groff brothers consum-
mated last night, Mr.. Diller b. Croft, the
real estate man, was placed under bond of
the policeman and inventor of the letter
box fastener. was released on 5000 secur
ity.
Mr.. Douglass Statement
Under the advice of his attorneys. Doug
lass & Douglass, Mr.. Machen declines to
discuss his for publication. A state
ment was dictated, however by Mr.. Chas.
A. Douglass, which indicates the course to
be pursued by Machen This statement
follows
Mr. Machen cannot fight out his case
in the newspapers but this much can, with
propriety, be stated: The charges, SEEM
ingly made with great deliberation, are of
the graVeSt character, and If the govern
ment succeeded in establishing them, Mr..
Machen and every one connected with them
ought to be punished severely. If, however,
they have been made improvidently and
without sufficient evidence, public 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 throughout the United States and
1t is due him that the public should not
prejudge his case, but should patiently
await developments, which are sure to
come. Mr. Machen is ready to meet, in
the clearest and most satisfa ctory way,
the charges now specifically made against
him, and he now generally and publicly
invites the most rigid investigation into
every act and transaction connected with
his official life. More than this should not
now be said"
Other Charges Against Machen.
In discussing other charges against Mr.
Machen. which Mr.. Payne indica ted today
were now being investigated, he said in an
swer to a question that there was a charge
that Mr.. Machen had forged a name to a pay
roll. This charge, Mr.. Payne said asserts
that the Offense was committed some years
ago. Mr. Machen, he declared, knew that this
charge rested against him., among the 9TH
ers that were being investigated and had
indicated to the Postmaster General that he
was ready at any time to bring conclusive
proof that he was innocent of the accuSa-
ton.
There were many possibilities for graft"
Mr.. Payne said, in the purchases of the sup
plies for the free delivery service For in
stance, he mentioned the new mail boxes
These boxes, he said, were painted with
patented paint in which there was no COM
petition. This paint, he said, was very good,
it had stood the wear and was decidedly
more artistic than the old green paint used
formerly.
Then there was the purchase of satchels,
straps and badges for the rural and city
carriers These latter articles are pur-
chased out of a general fund, the same
that the boxes and fasteners were pur-
chased from, and which for the next fiscal
year 100000 had been appropriated.
Mr.. Payne indicated that the contracts
under which all of these articles were being
furnished to the department were being
carefully gone into, and his belief was,
with the present example of the box fast
eners before him, that If there any
thing which was in the least irregular 1t
would be checked up and the responsibility
placed.
The Counts Against Machen.
The warrant upon which the arrest was
Continued on Eighth Page.)