The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-31
Seven New Bills Are Pre-
Sented by Federal
Grand Jury.
CONSPIRACY Is ALLEGED
w. c. Long, of Washington,
Included in Names Pre-
Sented Today.

The grand jury today reported indict-
ments against the following named per-
sons on charges growing out of the
Postefice investigation:
William C. Long. of Washington, D.
c.; Leopold J. Stern, OF Baltimore,
and August w. Machen, late general
superintendent of the division of free
delivery of the PoStoffice Department,
for conspiracy to defraud the Govern
ment.
August w. Machen, Thomas w. Mac
Gregor, formerly a clerk in the rural
free delivery division, and Maurice
Runkle, of New York city, for cea-
spiTacy.
August w. Machen, William G. Craw-
ford, George E. Lorenz, and Martha J..
Lorenz, also for conspiring to defraud
the Government.
August w. Machen, John T. cupper,
mayor of Lockhaven, Pa, and William
C. Long, of Washington, D. c., for con-
spring to defraud the Government.
William C. Long, of Washington, D.
c., for bribery.
John T. cupPer for bribery.
William G. c1dwford for presenting
false claim to the Government.
Crawford IS the local agent of the
- Il Lock and Device Company
poration organized under the las 70 OF
the State of New Jersey.
Shoulders Strap Contracts.
In the indictment Of Stern. Long AMI
Machen, who are charged with con-
spiracy. il is set forth in substance
that Stern entered into a contract with
the United States to furnish letter col
lectors' satchels for the free delivery
service at certain prices specified IN the
contract to be paid by the United states
The satchels were to be supplied in each
case with a leather strap called a
shoulder strap. and the cost OF each Of
these shoulder straps TO Stern, In COM
plying with his contract. would amour
TO ebout q cents.
A Saving for Stern.
II is then charged that Machen in his
official capacity was to procure shoul-
der straps at the expense of the United
States. and the delivery of the same to
Stern, TO be used by him in filling his
contract to the end that a saving might
be effected TO Stern of q cents on each
satcheI.
Notwithstanding the furnishing CT such
shoulder straps by the United States.
Stern was 10 charge the full contract
price for each satchel furnished by him.
and a portion OF the saving to Stern
was 10 be retained by him. and the resi-
due paid to Long to be divided between
Long and Machen.
Signs of Conspiracy.
Various alleged overt acts of Macheo
in his official capacity. done in pursu-
ance of the conspiracy and to effect its
object, are set forth. such as the pro
curing OF purchases by the United States
of such shoulder straps. and the delivery
Of them to Stern TO be used in this way. !
Alleged acts on the part of Stern IN
receiving and using the shoulder straps
bought by the United States, and the
presentation OF bills to the Postofice |
Department. without deduction or allow |
ence for these shoulder straps. are also
set forth.
Various acts OF Long, in the receiving |
of money from Stern, in the furtherance |
of the conspiracy, and TO effect It's OBJ
ject are also alleged.
Similar Fraud Charged
In the indictment against Machen. |
MacGregor. and Maurice RunkIe. OF New |
York city, the fraud alleged is similar |
to the other. in that Runkle had a con-
tract TO furnish certain satchels with /
STRAPS. but failed to supply them. and
they were furnished by the department.
For these concessions RHnkle is alleged
to have paid large sums to Machen. ag-
gregating 81 OOO 10 Machen and $500 10
MacGregor.
In the Indictment against William c.
Crawford. A. w. Machen. Martha G.
LorenZ. and George z. Lorenz. for fraud,
il is charged that Crawford, represent
ing the Postal Lock and Device Com
pany, got a contract for furnishing GER
tain letter carriers satchels last July.
The contract called for shoulder straps
for the satchels. but Crawford did not
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