Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-29
FORTY PER CENT.
Is Now Said to Have Been Mr..
Machen'S Little Profit.
He Asserts Ability to Disprove Every
One of the Charges.
Large Force of Inspectors at Work on
the Case.

Washington, May 2S.-A large corps
of inspectors. including some of the vet
Grams of the service, were at work,
today, probing into the alleged irregu-
laritles at the post office department,
but no further arrests We're made. 1t is
said to be possible that the intermedi-
AIRY, who, it is alleged, figured in the
transactions which led to the arrest of
August w. Machen, the former general
l:dDerintendent of the free delivery ser
Twice. may turn states evidence. His
identity has not yet been disclosed.
| Mr.. Machen's counsel issued a state
mcnt asserting his ability to fully dis
prove all the charges The Investigate
ling officials are equally confident. The
government is anxious to expedite the
| trial of Machen as much as possible
consistently with the proper handling
of the case. 1t is arranging to have its
| witnesses 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 a 40
| per cent. basis. has been set for June s..
Charles A. Douglass, of counsel for
| Machen. today, gave out the following
statement:
Mr.. Machen cannot fight out his
case in the newspapers but this much
can with propriety be stated: The
charges seemingly made with great de-
| liberation, are of the graVeSt character
land if the government succeeds in es-
ltahlishing them Mr.. Machen and every
lone connected with them ought to be
severely punished. If, however, they
have been made improvidently and
without sufficient evidence, public CEN
sure. swift and strong, should fall upon
the heads of the responsible parties.
Mr.. Machen has been long time in the
public service and he is widely and fav-
lorably known throughout the United
Estates. and it is due him that the pub
lie should not prejudice his case. Mr..
Machen invites the most rigid investi-
lgation into every act and transaction
connected with his official life"
Assistant Attorney General Bobb of
the post office department. had a long
conference. today, with United States
district Attorney Beach regarding the
procedure in the Machen case. 1t is
1.-The wish of the postmaster general that
the trial of the case be expedited as
Iruch as possible. The evidence in the
case has already been reviewed by At
ltorney General Knox, Solicitor General
lIIoyt and District Attorney Beach and
the prosecution now rests with the de
Ipartment of justice. The federal grand
jury is i'll session and it is expected
THAT the case of Mr.. MaChen will be held
Immediately to that body. The civil
lSuit and attachment proceedings to re-
Icover the amounts alleged to have been
Iobtancd from the post box fastener
contracts will lac instituted at once.
Diller +. Croft, senior member of the
firm of Croft Bros. manufacturers Of
llcttcr box Fasteners who was arrested,
Hast night, for alleged bribery of former
Superintendent \. w. Machen, of the
free delivery system post office depart
lmcnt, appeared before United States
Commissioner Taylor, today, for pre-
llminary examination. After consul
tation the hearing was postponed until
lJunc ,.
Samuel A. Croft, the junior member
of the firm, will appear before Commits
ISioncr Taylor, tomorrow morning. His
preliminary hearing, will also be set for
lJunc Q.