Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-28
Said to Have Been Trouble
With Mr.. Machcn.
Arrested, "Wednesday, Charged With
monkeying With Postal Matters.
Case of Patent Postal Box Fastener in
Question.

Machen, general superintendent of the
Tree delivery system, was arrested on
a warrant issued on the information of
post of1lcers inspectors, charging him
with having received rake offs" from
contracts made with the local firm of
Croft Brothers for patent postal box
fastener.
The warrant specifically charges him
with receiving $18,9S1.7S since Aug s,
1900. 1t Is alleged. however, at the de-
partment does not represent all that
Machen obtained in connection with
these contracts, it being charged that
he has profited by them for several
years prior to the date of the first con-
tract mentioned in the warrant. Other
arrests are to follow.
The discovery of Machen's alleged in
terests in the contracts was made quite
accidentally by the inspectors some
three weeks ago and since then their
energies had been directed toward
making out case. Last night. after
the authorities had become convinced
that they We're in possession of the
necessary evidence, Machen was nOti-
fled to appear at the department, this
morning. He did so and was subjected
to sweating" process by the inspec-
tors and General Brstow for three
hours, but no admissions that he
profited by the: contracts could be Sc
cured from him. He declined to answer
many questions on the ground that
they related to his private business,
but insisted to the end that he had not
received a cent improperly. The de-
partment officials claim that their evil
dence is conclusive. 1t is understood
that civil suit will be entered to re-
cover from Machen the amount he is
alleged to have received on the con-
tracts.
Diller r. Croft, one of the partners
in the firm of Croft Bros, who are ac-
cused of having bribed Augustus w.
Machen for the purpose of securing
the purchase by the government Of
their letter box fasteners, called at po-
lice headquarters, stating that he had
heard warrant for his arrest was
out He was served with the warrant
and was released on $4,000 bonds,
pending hearing before the United
States commissioner, tomorrow.
Samuel A. Croft, the other member
of the Croft firm, was taken into Gus
tody later and was released on receipt
of bail in the sum of $4,000.
Mr. Machen was taken by the deputy
marshal directly to the office OF Unit
ed States Commissioner Taylor. he
communicated with his attorneys
Douglass &, Douglass, and in few
minutes Charles A. Douglass senior
member of the firm, arrived at the COM
missioncr's office and demanded an I'M
mediate hearing. Assistant Dlstrlr,
Attorney Hugh Taggart, who is con-
Quoting the case for the government
asked postponement of the hearing
for 10 days. Commissioners Taylor
thereupon fixed Friday, June 3th for tn"
hearing and after brief discussion OF
the bond Commissioner Taylor hXed
bail at 100000. The Union Surety K
Guaranty 60. of Philadelphia went on
his hond.
To all newspaper mon Machen SAID
that he had no extended statement TO
make for publication. TO representa-
tive of The Associated Press he sald
'"rhis win come out all right My
arrest is merely Il grand stand play.
II. declined to make further state
meat
Attorney Douglass made this state
mcnt:
Several days ago my firm was re-
tanned by Mr.. Machen to look AFTER MS
interests in connection with the inv"S-
legation of affairs at the post once we
u,,tmont. | am, therefore, coGniZant
of the situation in detail. | am CoAi!-
dent that that at the proper time Ne
shall be able to show. in the most con-
elusive way that not only has MI
Machen been guilty of no wrong IN con-
ncction with the departments transae-
administration of the affairs of the free
delivery system has been characterized
bv uprightness, integrity and ability
81 have not determined yet whether &
full preliminary hearing on Friday
June will be insisted upon or whether
examination will be waived and bone
given for trial before the supreme cour
nf the District of Columbia. The prop
chilitios are, however, that full pre-
,;minarv hearing will be demanded.
The warrant was drawn on a sWori
statement made. today. by Walter ;
Mayer. n post office inspector IRON TN
r.bicauo district before United state
Commissioner Arson S. Taylor IN TIM
c;tv INSPECTOR Mayer. in the seNera
commits in the complaint alleges the re
ca;nt by Machen of several speclhe
sums aggregating $lS.9S1.IS in cohhec
tion with the purchase for the use O
tho department of certain letter DO
fasteners. e,..,
The complaint states that one Samu
A. Croft and one Dller Il. Grol Ill
the owners Of n patented invention IL
such letter box fasteners and were 81
rared in business as Croft Bros. II
statement then proceeds:
1.-The said order was procured by II
coils August w. Machem upon co
,us;ve understanding and agreem''
between him and the said Dllier
Croft that he, the said August W. Nj
chem. was to be paid certain propo
tion of the proceeds of any warrant
he issued in payment of the aruti
sunplied under said order anu u
nromise of him, the said Dliler
Croft. to pay such proportion: ana tn
thereafter and on the Sth day OF "A
gust. A. D.. 1900. and at the distrl
aforesaid. the said August w. Mache
did ask, accept and receive of ana w
maid by pller Is. Croft pursuant
,I..,.S IN, u