The Washington times., 1905-12-20

William G. Crawford. formerly Dep
ufy Auditor for the Treasury. in the
Postcfftce Department. WAS last night
convicted in the local courts Of con-
spiracy to defraud the Government
The news of his conviction was a
great shock to his many friends in
Washington and New York. where he
for several years was prominent in so
ciety, circles.
Young Crawford came here from New
Orleans. his native city. TO accept pO-
sition in The PostofIice Department.
When he resigned from that position he
entered business on his own account
and organized the Postal Lock and De-
vice Company, of New York, which, in
1902 procured a contract with the Gov
ernment for the furnishing of letter
carriers satchels and straps for use in
the Postoffice Department.
Indicted for Conspiracy.
IT was IT, connection with the fur
nishing Of these supplies that he was in
dicted fer conspiracy to defraud the
United States Interested with him IN
the contract were August w. Machen.
formerly superintendent of the rural
free delivery division of the Postoffice
Department. and George f. Lorenz, for
merly postmaster at Toledo. Ohio.
The testimony offered at the trial
showed that a certain proportion Of the
profits of the contract for the furnish
ing of the satchels and straps was reg
ularly and Systematically divided among
the three persons named.
Lorenz. who had previously been con-
victed with Machen and the Groffs for
conspiring to defraud the Government.
and admitted that an agreement had
been entered into by which the profits
were 20 be divided.
Crawford testified in his own defense.
He denied emphatically that he made a
division of the proceeds of the profits
in a fraudulent or secret manner.
He admitted he had paid Lorenz large
sums of money at different times. but
contended this was for services rend-
cred in connection with the carrying
out of the contract. He most positively
denied. however. that he was aware Of
the fact that Machen was also receiv
ing portion OF the money he forward
ed to Lorenz.
OF large sums of money 10 him by
LorenZ by saying II was in payment for
the prompt remittance of money by him
to Lorenz.
Machen Remained Silent
Machen. who was indicted jointly with
Crawford when called to trial last
spring. pleaded guilty to the charge and
was sentenced by Justice Wright to
two years Imprisonment in the peni-
tentiary- He was also brought from
the penitentiary with Lorenz to be used
as a witness by the Government I'm the
prosecution OF Crawford. but when he
arrived in Washington positively re-
fused to testify in the case.
Crawford was first called to trial last
spring before Justice Wright and a
jury in Criminal Court No l. After q
trial of five weeks the jury failed to
reach an agreement and after being
locked in the consultation room for two
days and nights was discharged
During both trials, in fact since be-
ing indicted, Crawford never had any
fears of conviction, and not until day
or two ago did he show any signs of
apprehension that the result might be
unfavorahle to him. He was represent
ed by Worthington Heald e. Frailey.
of the local bar. and former Secretary
of the Treasury John g. Carlisle of the
New York bar The latter on account
OF illness. was not able 70 participate
In the trial concluded last night.
Three Indictments.
Crawford was put on trial on three
indictments TWO charofpc~ him r,ftt,