The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-30

the supply Of shoulder straps for carriers
satchels. Lorenz and Machen conspired with
Crawford to defraud the government out Of the
price of the straps; then Crawford conspired with
Machen and Lorenz to defraud his own company
out of the profits on the manufacture of the
satchels, while on the side Long and Nachen
were receiving a graft on straps from George
D. Lambs.
The Grots. Machen and Mr.. and Mrs Lorenz
were indicted for conspiracy to defraud and Offer
chase OF the patent Croft fastener for letter
boxes without contract or there being any neces-
sity for them. They cost Is cents each to manu-
facture and were bought for $3.50 or $l25.
During eight years the department paid the
Grons sips 651.25. Of which Machen and Lorenz
received about SOL ,450.
Machen, John T.. Cupper of Lockhayen Pa,
and Long were indicted for conspiracy to de-
fraud thru an arrangement for painting street
letter boxes by Cupper, who was allowed 70
cents each on the posts. 50 cents each for the ne
the work done by a local painter. Cupper
was to furnish the material and receive 80 cents
for each letter box and Is cents for each pack
age box. Previously the expense OF painting
letter boxes was 291a cents each. Long received
10 cents on every box painted, or about $50, 900,
in Eve years, part Of which has been traced to
Machen.
,Gregor were indicted for conspiring to defraud
in supplying leather cases for carriers which
cost ,ss1. ee, while the government paid SIS
1o63O, Of which Machen received, S2,45O. o.
ellsworth Upton and McGregor, both employees
under Machen. were also indicted.
Letter Box Frauds.
Machen and Eugene D. Scheble, dentist of
Toledo Ohio were Indicted for conspiracy and
fraud thru contracts for street letter boxes. The
contract was awarded to Maybury & Ellis Of De-
troit before Machen's appointn emit, but they
agreed to give Scheble 25 per cent interest IN
their contract and mis- box was used in prefer
ence, one offered by Solomon G. Wynne ed fol
years over $4,000 has been paid for letter boxes
Of which $1,000 have been distributed, often
unnecessarily. Maybury & Ellis profits amount
ed to over s53,O00 half Of which was given to
scheble, and the evidence shows he divided with
Machen.
Machen and Isaac Mcclellan have been indict-
ed for receiving ''rcyalty" on package boxes
Of 80 cents each. Mcclellan was given the con-
tract at $1,000 each, while Solomon c. Wynn
offered to supply them for $3.50 each. His bid
was thrown out because Machen claimed him as
cousin.
Where Perry Heath Came In.
G. W. Beavers, Machen and James W. Erwin
were indicted for conspiracy to defraud in con.
nection with the Montague indicator, device
attached to letter boxes to show the hours OF
collection. A company was organized to promote
In the name of D. s. Richardson, cashier In the
San Francisco postof6ce,. and Machen 1000 In
the name Of II. G. Seger, who says he gave
stock was forwarded to Salt Lake in an envelor
| addressed to Edwin B. Bacon, citizen Of Lou
isville. KY. and uncle OF Perry S. Heath, and
returned anonymously after the investigation
commenced. The district attorney decided there
was not sufficient evidence to connect Heath
with the matter.
Machen also required Charles J. Heller Of
Philadelphia. who furnishes badges for rural
carriers at 50 cents each, to give up 10 cent:
for each badge.
How Maohen Gained Confidence.
Machen in over nine years of continued pros
perity had passed safely thru two congressional
| Investigations, one in 1S96 by the committee OF
the postofGce and post roads Of the house, ant
one in 1897 by the committee civil service and
retrenchment of the senate. He had deceived hi
superior officers thru the administration of fou
different postmaster generals and does not seen
to have considered day Of reckoning possible.
Some Smaller REGULATORS.
| Charles Hedges. appointed assistant superin
tendent Of free delivery on July /, 1898, was re
moved July u, 1903. for loaning his travelling
commission and collecting per diem to which b
was not entitled. c. T. Mccoy, an assistant
who falsided his diary, was permitted to re
a 81. Rand appointed assistant superintend
j emit Of the salary and allowance division i
| April, 1902, was falsely charged with using hi
official position to induce departmental employe
to invest in his schemes.
1 John NJ Masten, formerly chief clerk to tn
first assistant postmaster general, was allege
to have solicited brides from clerks for promo
lions. The charges were not true. G. B. Terry
q clerk in the supply division. who preferred tn
charges, submitted false affdavits, having him
self been guilty. Terry was removed.
4 Division of Salaries and Allowances.
George ". Beavers, appointed chief Of the sal
AIRY and Elowa:x,e division in August, 1897,
lalleged to have increased the compensation {
clerks and given increased rentals for postoffce
|of which the leases had not expired after canoe
ling the leases at the request of the intereste
parties.
Reayers Congressman Edmund H. briggs an
George f. Miller of Canton, Ohio, have bee
Indicted for fraud in the purchase Of number {
Brandt automatic cashiers. briggs is said
have received $4,000 and part of the money ha
lbeen traced to Beavers bank account. Ernest +
I I2aldrrin formerly assistant United States df