The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-08-01
PoStoIfice Department Salts
fred Investigation VIII
Produce Nothing Further
For Several Days.
OHIO MEN PROMINENT
IN ROLE OF SUSPECTS
Mache, Is Not Rearested-
Long, CraUford, and Nc
Gegor Appear In Court and
Are Released on Bail.

The return OF the indictments in the
postofiee cases yesterday cleared the
air around the department and nothing
startling is expected now for some days.
All matters which could be thought to be
subjects OF investigation have been thor
oughly thrashed over in the papers and
most OF them have been acted upon by
the officials.
None of yesterdays indictments was
surprises In its substance, but the
names of some Of the indicted men have
hitherto only been mentioned in secret
ana have never before been published IA
the papers in this connection. The
doubtful transaction In buying straps for
letter carriers was the subject OF wide
newspaper comment back In June. and
the excessive prices alleged to be paid
for painting letter boxes and the man
ner Of securing the contract for the
painting has bodied up over and over
again with more or less caustic com
ment on the supposed failure OF the de-
partment TO take cognizance OF charges
which had been so persistently made n
connection with the work.
New Names Appear.
William Gordon Crawford, W. c. Long,
John T. Cupper. Leopold J. Stern. aud
Maurice Runkle were the new names to
anpear on indictments yesterday, and
their number exceeds all the predictions
about Indictments that were to come in
the near future. The rumor was that
five indictments were to be returned.
and tina, two. or possibly three. OF them
would be against new men. but when the
list showed five new names and A. w.
Maehen. Thomas w McGregor, and Ma
jor and Mrs. George T. Lorenz in addi-
tion, there was much excited comment.
and even the most captious had to admit
that the department had been pushing
the Investigations with vigor.
The indictments were all for contracts
let through the free delivery division.
which was formerly presided over by A.
W. Machen as chief. and the query on
all sides row is whether or not there
viii be any more indictments out of that
division.
Questions Still Unsettled.
The manner of letting the contract for
rural free delivery letter boxes and the
reasons why some contractors could
get lengthy hearings and others we're
laughed at when they presented their
case is under investigation, and there
are many anxious to hear the result of
the inspectors efforts along this line.
Then there is. an old charge that EN-
ployes Of the rural free delivery division
paid money TO somebody in order TO get
their positions. and there Is more or
less Of desire on the part OF the public
to know if this charge has been substan-
tiayed
Outside Machen's old division there
are some important investigations, the
conclusions OF which have not yet been
announced The success Of the General
Manifold Company in selling registry
books to the department for three years
ahead. when it is claimed that the books
Become impaired in their usefulness II
kept more than six months, has aroused
the curiosity of a great many people.
The alleged unseemly anger Of Louis
Kerpner. chief Of the registry divi-
sion. when his chief clerk. William VI.
Mooney, reported the excess of books.
is an incident that has set heads to
wagging and has given rise to persistent
rumors that Mr.. Kempner is TO 20.
Nothing has been heard recently about
the alleged promotion syndicate in New
York. to which, II is charged. clerks de-
sirous Of an increase in salary were
compelled to pay handsomely or remain
stationary in their public careers.
The high price paid by the department
for Bundy time clocks. when 1t is al
legged that they were on the market Tor
about s25 less than the price charged the
Government. has not been explained to
the taxpayers.
Ohio Much in Evidence.
One feature Of the latest exposures II,
the Postofice Department is the promi-
nent although unenviabIe position Ohio
has taken. And the trail is said to lead
TO others equally well known In Buck
eyedom.
VI the nine people indicted yester-
day four are Ohioans-Maehen, Long.
and Mr.. and Mrs. Lorenz Machen is
from Toledo. Long is from Xenia. and
the LoTenzes live in Toledo.
Yesterdays indictments undoubtedly
came as shock TO Senator Hanna,
Congressman Dick. and others promi-
nent in Ohio politics.
William Clifford Long. known to his
intimates as Cliff" Long. was an
emissary of theirs. in whom they placed
the greatest reliance. Long is a former
ohioan. and was ostensibly in the in
surance business here But he drew
no salary from the man whose Office
he shared In the Bond Building. and
many wondered how he managed to
make SO comfortable a living.
Long Henchman.
Long always had money and plenty of
It. and was foremost among the good I,
who made their headquarters
at the resort OF another former Ohioan. /