Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-07
STERN D|SAP EARS
He Was Indicted a Week
Ago Today.
HAS SHUT UP HIS SHOP
ANNOUNCED THAT He WAS GOING
TO SAN FRANCISCO.
Effort Of Machen and His
Friends to Stave Off His Trials
Departments Determination.
Where is Leopold ]. Stern?

Anybody who will be kind enough to
give this information to the Post Office
Department authorities will be doing a
favor that will be appreciated.
Stern was indicted by the grand Jury
of the District Of Columbia a week ago
today in connection with William c. Long
of this city and August w. Machen late
superintendent Of the division of free de-
livery, on a charge of conspiracy to de-
fraud the government
A bench warrant was issued for Stern's
arrest, but the authorities have as yet
been unable to apprehend him.
1t is understood that Stern left Baltimore
short time before the grand jury re-
turned the indictment.
From that city has come the infOrma ton
that he shut up his shop, closed up his
business affairs and impaired to friends
the information that he was going to San
Francisco.
The indictment against Stern, Long and
Machen charged them with violation Of
section $40 of the Revised Statutes Of
the United States by entering into con-
spiracy to defraud the United States.
This indictment set forth in substance
that Stern entered into a contract with the
United States to furnish letter carriers
satchels and letter collectors satchels for
the free delivery service at certain prices
specified in the contract to be paid by the
United States, which Satchels were to be
supplied in each case with shoulder strap,
and that the cost OF each of these shoulder
straps to Stern, in complying with his con-
tract, would amount to % cents
Furnished With Straps.
The Indictment charged that Machen in
his official capacity agreed to procure
shoulder straps at the expense of the United
States and deliver them to Stern, to be
used by him In the performance of the con-
tract. to the end that saving might be eff
fected to Stern of % cents on each satcheI
to be furnished and delivered by him to the
United States; and that. Notwithstanding
the furnishing of the shoulder straps by the
United States. Stern should charge the full
contract price for each satchel furnished by
him. and that q portion of the saving to
Stern should be retained by him and the
residue paid to Long, to be divided between
Long and Machen.
Various overt acts Of Machen in his off,
cial capacity, done in pursuance Of the con-
spiracy and to effect its object, were set
forth. such as the procuring Of purchases
by the United States of such shoulder
straps and the delivery of them to Stern to
be used in this way.
Overt acts on the part Of Stern in receiv-
Ing and using the shoulder straps bought
by the United States. and the presentation
of bills to the Post Office Department. with
out deduction or allowance for these shoul-
der straps. were also set forth: and various
overt acts or Long, In the receiving of
money from Stern. In the furtherance of
the conspiracy and to effect it's object were
also specified
So far as can be ascertained no one has
heard from Stern. neither has any one
from his home city seen him since he folded
up his tent, and, like the Arab of old
stole away. Stern is wanted badly and
extra efforts have been put forth, it is said,
to capture him.
Efforts to Prevent Trial.
1t is alleged that Machen and his friends
are determined that the charges against
him shall not come to trial # the same
can be prevented. Friends of Machen are
said to have already inaugurated the plan
which is simple to belittle the charges and
to insist that the government Is weak and
Will be unable to prove any of the charges.
Threats are said to have been made that,
II Machen is forced to trial, he will drag
others Of prominence in public life down
with him. This is said to be done for the
purpose Of staving off the trial of the
cases that are pending against him.
1t may be said authority that the
Post Office Department will pay no atten-
ton to these threats and that the trials
without any unnecessary delay.
The Post Office Department argues that
If Machen Is desirous of duplicating others
than those already indicted, it will be SO
much the better for the department. mas
much as 1t will save work for the inspect
ors, who are laboring hard to make the
investigation thorough and whose sole pur-
pose is to bring to justice every person
who may have been guilty of fraud or