The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-29
His Attorneys Say They Gan Prove That E. O Official
 Has Been WrOnged
MAKERS OF PATENT LOCK
 CLAIM ID BE INNOCENT
Postmaster General Payne Says He Feels Quite Sure Such MaIfeasance Will Not Occur Tn His De
 partment Again.

Washington, May 2S.-A large corps of inspectors. including some of the vet erans of the service, were at work prob- ing Into the alleged irregularities at the postoffice department today but no fur ther arrests were made. It is said to be possible that the Intermediary, who 1t Is alleged figured in the transactions which led to the arrest of Augustus w. Machen, the former general superintend- ent of the free delivery service, may turn states evidence. His identity has not yet been disclosed.
 MT Machen's counsel issued a state ment asserting his ability to fully dis prove all the charges. The Investigating officials are equally confident. The gov ernment Is anxious to expedite the trial of Machen as much as possible, consist ently with the proper handling Of the case. It is arranging to have Its wit nesses at Machen's preliminary hearing, June 5. The preliminary hearing of the Croft Brothers, the profits of whose firm Machen Is accused of sharing on 40 per cent basis, has been set for June g.
 Long Conference.
 Assistant Attorney General Robb of the postoffice department had long confer ence today with United States District Attorney Beech regarding the procedure in the Machen case. It is the wish or the postmaster general that the trial be expedited as much as possible. The evi- dence in the case has already been re- viewed by Attorney General Knox, Solici- ipf A Beach, and the prosecution now rests with the department of justice. The Fed eral grand jury is in session and 1t is ex- pected the case of MT. Machen will be presented immediately to that body. The civil suit and attachment proceedings to recover the amounts alleged by the post office department to have been obtained from the postoffice box fastener contract will be instituted at once. This phase of the case is now in the hands of the district attorney. The proceedings will be similar to those instituted in the Green Gaynor cases The postmaster general said that no further sensational develop ments were expected today Nevertheless other arrests are believed to be imminent.
 Groff Formerly Policeman.
 Samuel A. Groff, the inventor of the
 
 supplied to the postoffice department for about ten years by the Gron Bros, was formerly a member of the police force for twenty years. While he has been associated with his brother in many business deals, he says that he did not participate actively in the business Of manufacturing the fastener which he ln- vented He entrusted to his brother the management of the business. Discussing briefly today the charges upon which he was arrested, he said;
 T know nothing of the affair as far as money being paid to officials Is concerned. I patented the article in question and its merits proved all the influence to get 1t In the postoffice department If my brother has done anything wrong l do not know of 1t, and there is no reason for me to believe that he has. So Tar as officials of the postoffice department, who are ac- cused of having received money, are con- cerned, I would hardly know them If would meet them on the street; never had any business with them except through my brother"
 Macehn Counsel Talks.
 MT Charles A. Douglass of counsel for MT Machen today gave out the following statement of the present status of the Machen case and also about the course or rroceedings in the immediate future:
 MT. Macnen cannot uBill out HIS cdoc in the newspapers, but this much can with propriety be stated: The charges seemingly made with great deliberation are of the gravest character and if the government succeeds In establishing them, MT Machen and every one connect ed with them ought to be severely pun isbed. If, however, they have been made improvidentially and without sunicient evidence public censure, swift and strong, should fall upon the heads of tn. responsible parties. MT. Machen has been A long time in the public service and he is widely and favorably known through out the United States, and 1t Is due him that the public should not prejudge his case, but should patiently await develop ments, which are sure to come. MT. Ma chen is ready to meet in the clearest and most satisfactory 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"