Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1903-06-18
MRS. LoRENz ALLEGED TO HAVE
OCCUPIED THAT POSITION.
METCALF LET OUT
The Dismissal of J. T. Metcalf, Former
Iowan, Great surprise-Was Val
liable Man and for Years Had Charge
Of Money Order Department.

washington. u. u, June 1S.-Ihe
federal grand jury which has been in
vestigating the postal affairs will prob
ably bring in fivie indictments soon.
Although every effort has been made
to keep the public ignorant of the ac-
tion to be taken, it is learned on un-
questioned authority that the jury has
voted to return indictments against
August W. Machen, Diller T. Croft,
Samuel A. Croft, George E. Lorenz and
Mrs. Lorenz. The specific charge, it
is understood, will be conspiracy to de.
fraud the government.
A "Go-BetWeen."
At the time of the arrest of Machen
and the Groffs, stories were in circula-
tlon that there was "go-between" but
the information was not conclusive
enough to establish the identity of the
particular party. Whether or not Mrs.
Lorenz acted in this capacity is not
known, but it has been suggested
however, that the "gobetween was
woman.
4. Forgery Charged to Machen.
The forgery with which Mr.. Machen
is charged is alleged to have occurred
In 1894, when Harry l.. Lorenz, as
commissioner OF the court of claims,
was engaged in adjusting the claims
of the letter carriers. The check on
which Machen is accused of endorsing
3 Iorenz, name was issued on voucher
drawn on the postmaster at New York.
LAS Mr.. Lorenz was going away on
sconfidential mission request was
made that the cash should be sent to
Mr. Machen to be delivered to Lorenz
On account of irregularities in the
voucher the check, bearing Lorenz, en-
dorsement, was cashed at bank in
this city. The check was presented by
Frank *. Raymond at the request of
Machen and he says ,he turned the
money over to Mr. Machen. These
facts were brought out at a congress
sional investigation, but Mr.. Machen
said at the time that the signature was
, that of Lorenz
81 Metcalf Dismissed.
Washington. D. c., June 1S.-As q
result of alleged indiscretion in matters
pertaining to the award Of contracts
for printing money order forms of the
/. government, James T. Metcalf, for
many years superintendent of the mon
ey order department has been remov-
ed from Office by the postmaster gen
eral. A full investigation of the case
will be made later. The dismissal is
the result of the acts of Metcalf in op-
position to the bid of Paul Herman Of
Rutherford. N. j., the lowest bidder by
Z $4,000, and in favor of the next high
est bidder, the Wynkoop, Hallenbeck,
Crawford company of New York, of
which Metcalfs son is an employe.
Was an Iowan.
Mr.. Metcalf came to Washington
from Iowa in 1882 and has been super
intendent of the money order depart
ment for years He was recognized
as a man OF ability and in fact he is
{ said to have built up the system him
SELF
Has Nothing TO Conceal.
Aletcalf, when seen last night, said he
had done nothing wrong and has nothing
to conceal; that his sons employ in the
= bidding firm could have no effect ON the
award; that he suggested Herman's re-
turn to his other company to handle the
government work there because lie Met
calf knew Hernan's means were limited
and the stoppage of supplies in the midst
of the contract term would have proven
serious. he says on Hermans consent
pes sHiotS " iiuIeHpech, auNiSlnS Ilat
Herman be restored to his old place, and
shat he told Herman he had little doubt
the government would allow Herman to
Withdraw his forfeit check of $1,000.
1t is stated that MT the hearing of the
question of Herman's ability to perform
the contract, he offered to put up bond
guaranteeing completion of the contract.
May Be Found Monday.
Washington, June 1S.-This after
noon it was announced that indict-
ments would probably not be returned
until Monday