The Washington herald., 1911-03-07

CHARGE Is MADE


value as dead issues, and disposed of
them. These, according to the state
ments, were replaced by later addi-
tions of no value other than shown
upon the face.
1t is alleged that certain of the
valuable issues were found in the
hand of collectors about a year ago,
and that inspectors of the Post-office
Department Immediately began to inves-
tigate. Just how much money Is al
legged to have been received by the sale
of the stamps was not learned from the
post-office authorities, but it is said the
transaction will run into thousands of
dollars
Statements made by the post-office
officials are that the stamps alleged to
have been disposed of by Travers were
the first issue from plates made about
forty years ago. and were OF great value.
They had been retained in the department
with first issues of all the preceding
stamps which have been put out by the
government. and their loss. according to
the post-office inspectors, is irreparable.
The Stamp Issues.
The one. two. three. four. six. eight,
ten, and twelve cent issues, said to bear
the head OF President Lincoln. have been
missing from the Department for more
than a year. The stamps removed were
replaced by those of recent date. and 1t
was some time before it was discovered
the originals were missing.
According to statements by the police,
several months of investigation were con-
sumed by the officials and the inspectors
OF the Post-office Department before the
alleged theft was placed upon the chief
clerk. In that time, it is said, every
% 10 Of RI
ment was under surveillance. and close
watch, was kept throughout the country
at all establishments of stamp dealers
and collectors.
1t is further alleged that Travers
evaded arrest by disposing Of the orig
inal stamp issues, not only in this coun-
try. but to collectors throughout the
world. BY using this method. 1t is
claimed, 1t was nearly Impossible to trace
the source of the output of the stamps.
At police headquarters, last night,
nothing could be learned OF the cause Of
the arrest OF Travers other than that
Inspector Boardman had been requested
to assign detectives to the case, TO as
sist the postal inspectors. He was ar
rested upon a warrant issued by the dis
trict attorneys Office, on complaint of
Inspector Hal Mosby, OF the Post-oftice
Department
" Iftl interviewed Dy q TtpOElGT lOE llt
Washington Herald, District Attorney
Wilson refused to discuss the cases, fur
Their than to state he would personally
conduct the prosecution.
THE case will be prosecuted" he said,
and will conduct the prosecution"
Will Push the Case.
Until this statement was made. it had
been intimated that the case would not
be brought to trial. and that Travers
would be allowed to go his way without
pleading. The statement by Mr.. Wilson.
hpwever. made it apparent that the al
legged crime of Travers is of such ma
ture that he will be compelled to appear
in court
The post office officials refused to be
interviewed. Chief Inspector Carter
Kean said he would make no statement
regarding the arrest. He referred all
Questioners to police headquarters.
The case is not in my hands now,
he said, land 1 prefer to make no state
ment."
Jesse Sutor, Of the Benedict apartment,
who is said to be familiar with the de-
tails of the arrest, said the only informa-
ton that could be given was that con-
tanned in the Postmaster Generals state
ment made earlier in the day. He said the
case against Travers would be pushed.
ana the OlllCldlS WIRE lIlC
right man had been apprehended.
Travers, after his release. went home.
accompanied by Mr. Yost, his bondsman.
but later returned to police headquarters
to procure his night keey, which had
been taken from him by the police.
IT have been locked out" he said. land
had to telephone down here to get my
key I feel confident everything will
turn out all right. and I will make a
7
attorney, Campbell Darlington"
Travers said he would be occupied with
summing up the facts of the case until
tomorrow evening, and would be ''up
to his neck in work for the next three
or four days" While displaying nervous
ness after his release, he talked freely
with those he met at police headquarters.
"Tn come out all right" he told a re-
porter for The Washington Herald. land
there will be some startling revelations.
This matter sits itself down to spite
work on the part of certain men, know.
and I will get at them soon. There Is
absolutely no foundation for my arrest.
VIII Make n Statement.
Campbell Darlington said he had been
called to the First precinct station about
4 O'Clock yesterday afternoon by Travers,
and had no time to consult his client
He said he new nothing of the facts, hut
that as soon as he had an opportunity
to investigate the charges he would issue
q statement on behalf OF Travers.
81 was going to dinner" he said, "and
simply chatted with Mr.. Travers regard
ing a bondsman. 1 do not know enough
of the case to make a statement to-
night"
Travers is wen known in Washington
and had been considered a most trust
worthy employee of the Post-office De-
partment. He has a host OF friends, many
of whom called at the police station after
the rumor of his arrest, and phone mes
sages were frequent. He is OF propos-
sessing personality, and has a straight
forward manner. His arrest caused a
among his friends, all Of whom
stoutly denounced it
Appointed from Detroit.
Arthur M. Travers was born in Port
Huron. Mich, May g, 1870. He was ap-
pointed from Detroit to the Office OF