Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-18
FIVE INDICTMENTS
Expected to Be Returned by
the Grand Jury.
MRS. LORENZ INCLUDED
ALLEGED Go-BETWEEN IN RELA-
TIoNs OF MAcHEN AND GoFFs.
Gossip in Department About the Re.
moval Of Metcalf and Much Sym-
pathy Expressed for Him.
MRS. LORENZ INCLUDED

The federal grand jury which has been
investigating postal affairs probably will
bring in five indictments tomorrow or Mon
day against persons involved Assistant
District Attorney Taggart. who has the
cases in charge for the government, was
at his office earlier than usual this morn
Ing and was busiy engaged In going over
the indictments. He denied himself to all
callers.
Although every effort has been made to
keep the public in ignorance of the action
to be taken until the papers were ready
for presentation by the grand jury II Is
learned on unquestioned authority that the
jury has voted to return indictments
against August w. Machen, Diller B. Croft
Samuel A. Groff, George f. Lorenz and
Mrs. Lorenz the two latter being residents
of Toledo, Ohio. The specific charge it is
understood, will be conspiracy to defraud
the government.
The fact that new indictments would
be returned against Machen and the Groff
Brothers has been talked of for some time
around the court house. but it was not ex-
pected that action would be taken so soon.
The sensational feature of todays probable
proceedings is the connection of Mrs. Lo-
led to the arrest of Machen and the
Groffs. At the time of the arrests stories
were in circulation that there was 60
between, but the information at hand then
was not conclusive enough to establish the
identity of this particular party.
Whether or not Mrs Lorenz acted in this
capacity is not known, but 1t has been
suggested that this go-between was a wo-
man.
Discussing Metcalf's Removal.
The removal of Mr.. James r Metcalf
from the position of superintendent of the
money order system was the principal topic
of discussion about the Post Office Depart
ment today.
On every side were heard words of SYM
pathy and expressions of confidence in the
integrity of the man who was yesterday
asked to leave a service with which he had
been actively identified for more than a
score of years.
There persons in the employ of the
Post Office Department who have been in
constant touch with him for all the time
he has served, and many of these employees
did not hesitate to declare their absolute
belief in his honesty.
Il confess that the circumstances sur
rounding the case might suggest that there
was collusion," said one of his old friendH
but 1 will wager everything 1 have on
earth that Jim Metcalf never did anything
wrong Intentionally
Mr. Metcalf came down to the department
as usual this morning, but his step, his
manner, told of the sleepleSs night he had
passed. His old friends greeted him. and
h, acknowledged their greeting, but not in
the same old way.
In the Money Order Office.
He went to the office of the money order
system first. Those who had long looked
upon him their chief, and had learned to
regard him with love and esteem because
of his kindly ways, greeted him affection
ately.
Tears came to his eyes as he spoke to
them. Mr.. Edward F. Kimbal who had
been detailed by the Postmaster General TO
act in Mr. MetcalfS S place temporarily, was .
IN the office but he had refrained from
taking the seat at his former chiefs desk.
Mr.. Metcalf remained in the office but for
a minute, and then went up to the tifth
floor and the Office Of the Postmaster Gen
eral where he was ushered within
Mr.. Metcalf remained with the Postmas-
ter General for perhaps twenty minutes
T. two. When Mr.. Metcalf left the ofics
o, Mr.. Payne his eyes were red and
swollen. He went directly to the office or
First Assistant Postmaster General Wynne.
To Mr.. Wynne Metcalf denied that he
had done anything wrong; he denied that
he had any intention of doing wrong. Tie
said he didn't consider Paul Herman a
legitimate bidder and that he would again
do as he had done in holding up the award.
believing that it was right and in the best
interest of the department and the gov
ernment.
Mr.. Wynne showed to MetcaIf that, in his
opinion, he could not throw aside the bid of
Herman, when the latter had given every
evidence of a desire to carry out the
tract If ii should be awarded him. The
whole case was gone over.
The first assistant postmaster gener
laid stress on the fact that Herman had
filed a certified check of 5000 as forfeit
md nh Ixyt -
that might be considered necessary by the
department for the prompt and honest ex-
ecution of the contract.
Mr.. Wynne also showed how, if the con-
tract were to be given to the New York
company, which employs Mr. Metcalfs son,
the government would lose In the aggregate
about $4,000.
Mr.. Metcalf left the first assistants Office
and went back to his old Office on the sec
ond floor of the building. When an Even
ing Star reporter called there half an hour
later he was engaged in tying up his per-
sonal effects into bundles, which were re-
moved later in the day to his residence.
Presented No Letter
There was report about the department
this forenoon that Mr. Metcaif had pre-
sented letter to Postmaster General
Payne asking that further investigation
be made in his case.
II have not decided what I shall do" Mr.
Metcalf said. This came sudden 1
hardly know what to do. l have not given
a letter of any kind to Mr. Payne and 1
don't know that l shall. / feel of course,
that l ought to be accorded opportunity
to show to the people of Washington where
I have lived SO many years, that there wds
nothing wrong in my action and that / was
doing what l thought was right.
MY meeting with the Postmaster Cen
eraI was of friendly nature. Mr.. Payne
felt keenly the position in which 1 was
placed. know he is fair-minded man.
and 1 feel that he would not Willingly or
willingly do a thing that would injure me.
1 have been with the Post Office Depart
ment for many years, and there has never
been breath of suspicion as to my honesty
and integrity
Mr.. Metcalf looked downward to the
table, where lay the bundle partly tied. and
there was silence for minute. As he
looked up big tears trfckled down his face
..It is consolation to know that l did no
wrong; that have a clear conscience, he
said.
This was a quie. day at the Post Office
The strain of yesterday SEEM
ed to have been the occasion all around for
the officials and employees to take a need
lcontinued on Seventh Page3