The sun., 1903-06-18
MORE POSTAL ARRESTS SOON.
Probably At the New York End OF the In.
uuiry--Machen Now Accused OF Forgery.

WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE long-ex-
pected crisis in the postal scandals. which
Postmaster-G General Payne said would occur
some time this week, is not far in the future.
Mr.. Payne said this afternoon:
while it is not expected that any imme-
diate arrests will be made in this jurisdic-
ton. it is probable that developments
may occur in another quarter.
From Mr.. Payne's previous utterances
regarding some probably important de-
velopments it is apparent that he is refer
ring to the New York end OF the inquiry.
Assistant District Attorney Taggart said
this afternoon: Sensational developments
may come at any time, probably tomorrow
or Friday. do not refer to the Washing
ton jurisdiction.
These utterances we're confirmed BY the
remarks OF post Office inspectors, who
look for the most important developments
Of the inquiry to occur within a few days.
nnouncement will probably be made
to-mor row by District Attorney Beach
that the Federal Grand Jury has brought in
an indictment for forgery against former
under indictment for accepting bribes.
The forgery case has been known to the
Post Office Department and legal authorities
for some time, but delay was occasioned by
the fact that the crime Is said to have been
committed In 1894. 1t is understood. how
OF the opinion that there is clear case
against Machen. He is charged with
having, in 1894, cashed check for $500,
drawn by the cashier Of the New York
Post Cfice in favor OF Henry u. Lorenz'
Mr.. Lorenz was appointed Commissioner
of the Court Of Claims on Nov. !, 1894, and
was assigned to the task Of adjusting the
claims of the letter carriers throughout
the country for overtime under the pro-
visions of the eight-hour law. voucher
in favor of Mr. Lorenz was drawn upon the
Postmaster at New York, where his accounts
were always paid, suggesting that as Lorenz
was short of money and was about TO leave
Washin gton, the money be sent to MIN IN
care of Supt. Machen.
A check was sent. and when it was re-
turned to the New York Sub Treasury
it bore what purported to be the signatures
of Mr.. Lorenz and Frank Raymond, an
insurance agent of this city. Lorenz has
forgery, while Raymond, whose name ap-
pears as indorser Of the check, says he
cashed it for Mr.. Machen.
These facts have been brought to the
attention of Postmaster-General Payne
and were laid before the Grand Jury. 1t
is held that Mr.. Machen cannot escape
prosecution under the statute Of limitations,
as another section Of the Revised statutes
provides that the statute OF limitations
! shall not become operative during the con-
| tinuance in office of an official who, by
reason of occupying the position, is able to
prevent discovery Of his crime.
1t is also probable that another indictment
will be drawn up charging Mr.. Machen with
having forged deed Of trust on certain OF
his property in Washington. This Is said
to have happened only year or so ago.
The astonishing statement was made at
the Post Office Department this morning
that the ramifcations Of fraud and scandal
and criminality are widening at such an
ever increasing pace that . the inquiry,
which has now been in active progress for
more than three months. will probably last
all summer and may possibly even extend
through the next session Of Congress. The
high posta officer who made this statement,
whose name cannot now be given, added:
If we knew where the investigation
would end we would be better satisfied.
But we do not. We simply cannot form
the slightest estimate. The old simie Of
the brick thrown in the mud puddle best
expresses the present situation. The ever
! widening circle that has followed the splash
in this case is spreading and growing 80
steadily and rapidly that there. .is reason
to believe it will not stop until the very
edge of the puddle is reached. What will
happen before that time do not know.
but, whatever happens the investi CATION
| will be continued