The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-23
MUCH At STAKE FOR THE
GOVERNMENT IN TRIAL
OF MACHEN AND OTHERS
If Conviction Cannot Be Secured,
Other Conspiracy Cases Prob
ably VIII Fail.
PAY OF RURAL CARRIERS
Mr.. Watson Thinks 1t Should Be
Increased to $500 or $500
Year.
PAY OF RURAL CARRIERS
] 70 the IndIanapolis Journal.


Special to the indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Feb. 2z.-Within the
next few days will close what is probably
the most important case that will be tried
as the sequel TO the great postoffice investi-
cation. The trial of Machen, Lorenz and
the Groffs. charged with being the chief
conspirators in the plans to rob the gov
eminent, has dragged so long that public
interest is somewhat abated and the fact
is lost sight of that perhaps. to a large eX-
tent, the result hoped for by the Postoffice
Department officials in bringing to the bar
of justice those who are believed to have
been guilty of the grossest frauds, hangs
upon the outcome of this case. The present
case seems TO turn practically upon the
question whether Machen was active in
furthering. or did use his office to promote
the purchase by the government. of the
Croft fasteners. Even admitting the gem
uineness of his business deals with LOrenz,
the government contends that he had no
right to promote the payment even of
just debt to himself through a graft in a
government contract. The claim of the
defense is that Machen did not push the
purchase of the fasteners. The case seems
to rest upon these propositions.
The special interest attaching to this
case lies in the fact that it is supposed
it is the most direct entrance of the passage
of money between parties to cOnspiracies
involved in the potoffice scandals. and the
impression is that If the government should
fail, to secure conviction in the present
case there might be little prospect in 9TH
ers which are based upon like charges. The
department officials assert that the case is
clear, admissions of the passage of the
r1n in no fro QffO hax rino hpa
made. The result of this case will UNI
doubtedly have an important bearing upon
other pending cases of like character, grow
ing out of the investigation into the scan
dalS.
Representative Watson is taking an ac-
tive interest in the present movement for
increased salaries for rural carriers. He is
inclined to support the amendment in the
pOstoffice appropriation bill which pro-
poses that carriers salaries shall be fixed at
500, or an increase of s120 He is of opin-
ion, however, that Congress will grant at
least $500, and possibly $500 a year. If
such a rate is allowed" said Mr.. Watson,
the carriers should be prohibited from So
Letting for corporations, as provided in
the amendment to the postal bill The
practice of permitting them to act as
agents has been tolerated on account of the
inadequate compensation allowed. Many
members agree with the position taken by
Mr.. Watson, but there is manifeStly a dis
position to try out the law proposed that
the carriers shall be prohibited from act
ing as solicitors or agents for hire. The
pOStoftce appropriation bill will be reported
10 the House tomorrow and will be taken
up for consideration next week
Representative Robinson to-day presented
a communication signed by Charles w.
Pureman, Henry c. Davis and Alex. r. Par
ker. carriers at Monroevills. These car
riers oppose the scales suggested by Presi-
dent Cunningham, of the Rural Carriers
Association. Mr.. Cunningham talks about
efficiency and most excellent service being
only attained by years in the service. ="
reads the communication. There is moth
ing in that at all. The first month carrier
becomes acquainted with all ms patrons
and the work pertaining to his office, and
can deliver and collect mail then salts
factorily as he can twenty years hence"
Mr.. Cunninghams plan is to classify ac-
cOrding to length of service
+ +
Efforts are being made to induce the In
diana delegation to support the provision
providing for the establishment of a mill
tary camp of instruction at West Point,
Ky. Letters have been received by the
Hoosier senator's and representatives from
John Stotsenberg, Charles Day and Jacob
TO assist the Kentucky delegation in its
work in behalf of West Point. Indiana
would reap great and substantial benefits
from the establishment of a camp at West
Point" says a letter received from the
Commercial Club of New Albany.
Representative Overstreet to-day intro
duced a bill requiring owners of private
freight cars to make reports on their con-
dition to the Interstate-commerce Commits
sion the same railroad companies are
required to make reports on their rolling
stock.
Senator Cullom, chairman of the commit
/ tee on foreign relations, had a conference
with the President to-day regarding the
vote tomorrow on the Panama treaty, and
the probability of the necessity for some
additional canal legislation Just what leg
! islation may be needed has not been deter
mined yet, but Senator Cullom intimated
that If any were necessary it might be at
tached to one of the appropriation bills.
Charles Laramore will succeed himself as
postmaster at Knox, Stark county, the
recommendation for his reappointment hav-
| ing been filed by Representative Brick.
! A petition from the Quaker Whitewater
Monthly Meeting held at Richmond, signed
| by Clerks Edward Timberlake and p. w
| Stephens, favoring the Hepburn Dolliver
| original packages. was presented to-day by
| Senator Beverage.
Senator Beverage has been invited to
| deliver the commencement day address al
the Wesleyan University of Nebraska on
/ June s.
Charles w. Seigler of Attica. is among
the Indianians in the city.
The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
has indorsed the bill introduced by Repre-
sentative Brick. providing rifle ranges in
each congressional district Mr.. Brick will
/ soon appear before the House committee on
| military affairs to urge a favorable report
/ on the measure.
| Jesse Martin, Of Bedford, Ind, a gradu-
| ate of the National Law College here. has
/ resigned his position il. tIe Census Office
/ tice in Pittsburg.
| Maj. ]. w. WellmaR and wife, of Evans.
/ ner 10 a small party of friends was giver
/ I'm their honor tonight by Representative
/ Hemenway.
DR.. Edwin A. Hughes, president of De
Pauw University, Is scheduled TO deliver
/ an address before the Y NJ. c. A next
| Sunday. While here Hughes will be the
/ guest OF Senator and Mrs. Fairbanks.
| Representative Charles Lands will leave
| for Indiana tomorrow.
Although some suggestions have beer
| that aNacf I IN not