The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-06-02

Washington, May pa large corps
Of inspectors, including some of the
veterans of the service, were at work
probing into the alleged irregularities
at the pOStOffice department today, but
no further arrests were made. 1t is
aid to be possible that the intermed-
iary who 1t is alleged figured in the
transactions which led to the arrest of
August W. Machen. the former general
superintendent Of the free delivery SER
vice, may turn states evidence. His
identity has not yet been disclosed.
Mr.. Machen's cOunse has issued a
statement asserting his ability to fully
disprOve all the charges. The investi-
eating officials are equally confident.
The government is anxious to expedite
the trial of Machen as much as pos
sibIe, consistently with the proper
handling of the case. 1t is arranging
to have it's witnesses at Machen's pre-
liminary hearing June 9Th. The pre-
liminary hearing of the Croft Broth
ers, the profits of whose firm Machen
is accused OF sharing on a forty per
cent. basis. has been set for June 9th.
The postal officials refuse to give any
information respecting the go-be-
tween who, it is alleged, figured in the
transactions that caused Machen'S ar
rest. 1t i. said there is a possibility,
if not Il probability. that ne VIII be
used as Il witness for the government.
The postmaster general III said:
"That there IS a third party in this
matter | have no doubt. but cannot
say anythin" furtheT.' He was asked
whether the delay in making an arrest
vas due to failure to locate the a
The postmaster general replied in the
negative and added that some times
there We're other reasons. He signIfi-
cantly suggested that some times it
was found best not to be too precipi-
tate in taking action and there was an
intimation that the department might
desire the gO-between TO turn states
evidence
y repOrt was published here today
that George w. Beavers, the former
superintendent of the division of sal
aries and allowances, was IN the city,
but the department denied having any
such information Mr.. Payne was ask
ed aS to the nature of the charges on
file against Mr.. Beavers. He replied
that they might be summed up as the
payment of extravagant prices for ma
terialS and supplies used IN his diViS-
ion. including time clocks and stamp
ing machines. He said that there was
only one charge that Mr.. aver had
received a commission on these sup
plies, This charge ne said. is under
investigation. \ much more rigid over
hauling of the affairs of Mr.. Beavers
former OffIJ. Will begin shortly.
The investigation of the affairs OF
the free delivery division. it IS stated
has not been interrupted by the arrest
of Machen- The inspectors who
brought about that result are cOntin-
uing their inquiry and Will probe into
other charges against Mr.. Machell. IT
this connection Postmaster General
Payne today said that one of the
charges under investigation was an al
legation that Mr.. Machen had forged
h name of another man on the pay
roll about ten n - He said that
Mr.. aMChen knew of this charge and
had informed him 9TH postmaster gen
eraD that he (MaChen) was ready al
any time to bring conclusive proof that
he was innocent of the transaction.
Other charges involve Ietter-bOX con-
tracts. Some Of the charges are Of I
similar nature to those on which yes
terday'S arrest was based. The over
hauling of the free delivery branch will
be thorough and Postmaster General
Payne today declared with emphasis
that the investigation Will not end ur-
til all irregularities have been thor
oughly inquired into 4 eradiCdted,
He said thai he lid not know as Yet
when il would he possible to close the
investigation and that he would not
attempt to a~"-TUNiDIIte he date. ne
said there had been a few charges
against several other officers Of the de-
partment. but the complaints OF IT.
Irregularities We're confined practically
to the free deIiverv service. the salary
of allowances DIVISION and the office
of the assistant rr-0ruev general.
Assistant Attorney General Robb. of
n pOstottice department. had Il Ions
conference today with United States
District Attorney Beach Regarding the
procedure IN tho Ma hev case. II IS
the wish of the postmaster general
that the trial Of the case be- expedited
as much as possible The evidence in
the case has ALREADY been reviewed
by Attorney General Knox Solicitor
General HOyt and District Attorney
Beach. and the prosecution now rests
With the department Of justice. The
federal grand jury Is in session and il
IS expected that the case Of Nj. Mach
en- will be presented immediately tC
that body. The civil suit and attach
mert proceedings to recover rhe
amounts alleged by the postoffica de
partment to have been obtained from
the post box fastener contracts viii
be instituted 1T once. This phase o.
the case Is now in the hands OF the
district attorney. The proceeding
will be similar TO those instituted II
the Green-GaynOr case.
Charles a. Douglass, Of counsel fol
Mr.. Machen, today gave out the fol,
lowing statement:
''Nr. Machen has been q long time
in the public service and he is widely
and favorably known throughout The
United States. and it is due him that
the public should not PREJUDICE his case
but should patiently await develop
ments which are sure TO come. Mr.
Machen is ready to meet. in the clear.
est and most satisfactory way. thu
charges now specifically made agains1
him. and he now denies and publicly
InviTaS the most riOid Investigation int