The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-01
Had A GOOD GRAFT
Additional Indictments Against a.
W. Machen Show How Easily
He Mulcted the Govt.
a Number Of His Confederates Are
Indicted With Him for
Conspiracy.

washington, Aug. 1.-The four indict-
ments returned yesterday against A. w.
Machen, formerly head Of the free de-
livery service, do not differ in character
from those under which he was arraigned
some weeks ago. However, they involve
additional transactions and they implicate
hitherto unsupported confederates. The
other men indicted were William Gordon
Crawford, who was deputy auditor for
the postoffice department from June IL,
1893, to Sept. Is, 1897, and is a member
of one Of the exclusive clubs of this city;
Leopold Jestern Of Baltimore; George E.
Lorenz of Toledo. formerly a prominent
government official, and Martha ]. Lor-
enz. his wife; John 4. Cupper, mayor of
Lock Haven, Pa; William. c. Long, an
Ohio man who has spent much time in
this city in recentsyears and WHO Is an
intimate friend of Machea seNfau rice Rum
KEEL Of New York city and Thomas W.
McGregor a protege of Machen who was
a messenger at the beginning of Machen' s
administration Of the free delivery serv-
ice, and in recent years has been in charge
of the supplies for the rural free de-
livery service.
Crawford v,t yoluntastlE anpesasas + court #
| and furnished $4,000 bail, and McGregor
| likewise gave $4,000 bail. Long was ar
rested at his home, where Deputy
Marshal Springman found him in bed.
| He was released on $4,000 bonds. His
was the only case in which a bench war
rant was issued, owing to the voluntary
action Of the others indicted. Machen
was not rearrested under the new indict-
ment, as he gave bonds In $4,000 under
| his indictment several weeks ago.
What tho Indictments Charge.
Machen, Cupper and Long are named
| jointly in one Indictment. for violation of
1 nf a ST =
| utes.
The Indictment sets out that Cupper in
duced Machen to give him the contract
! for furnishing materials for and employ
ment in the painting of letter boxes, pack
age boxes and posts, and that Cupper
painted these boxes, posts, ETC.. In many
cities turnout the country, paying Mach
en- a commission of 10 cents box, Long
acting as an intermediary.
Another indictment against Stern, Long
and Machen, based on alleged violation Of
the same statute. charges that Stern
entered into a contract with the govern
1 ment to furnish letter carriers satchels
and letter collectors satcnels for the free
delivery service, the satchel to be supplied
in each case with a. leather shoulder strap
The indictment charges that Macher
was to procure shoulder straps at the ex.
pense Of the United States and deliver thu
same to Stern, to be used by the lattel
in the performance Of his contract, ii
order that Stern might save 25 cents OF
each satchel delivered. Stern was t,
charge the full contract price for eacl
satchel furnished by him. and portion o
the saving to Stern retained by him an,
the residue paid to Long to be divided be
. tween Long and Machen.
A third indictment jointly names Craw
ford, Machen and Lorenz and his wife
Martha j. Lorenz, for conspiracy. Craw
& ford represented the Postal Device an
! Lock company, which received the con
). tract for furnishing certain letter satchel
> | The contracts called for shoulder strap
q for the satchels, which, the indictmer
i charges, were never provided, altho tn
contractors received pay for them. Fc
4 this concession it Is charged that CraM
9 ford paid to Machen, thru the Lorenzo
n about 80 per cent Of the amount receive
9 from the government. - ..s* 2s.
i Cupper is charged in a separate indict
: ment with paying Macllen bride Of $8t
q in August, 1900. Long also is indicte
separately for paying bride, both thes
brides being in the same transactions sif
y volved In the conspiracy indictmen
y Crawford was separately indicted for pr,
n senting a false claim for satchels
charging the government and receivir
! pay for shoulder straps never supplied /
y him. -