Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-03
ToDAY's TESTIMONY.
Cross-Exaniration Of Diller B. Croft
Resumed

The crosS-exam:nltion of Diller b. Gron,
one of the defendants, who was on the
witness stand at the hour of adjournment
Yesterday afternoon, was resumed TINS
morning by Assistant Attorney General
Purdy The latter first asked regarding
warrant for $1,000, dated November IL, 1880,
in payment for 2.O0 fasteners. The wit
ness admitted that Lorenz was entitled to
share OF this money, such share teins
81 $50 Mr. Purdy wanted to know II the
latter amount was RENTED to Lorenz MI
Croft said he may have deducted from II
500 on account OF the $50 Lorenz was TO
nay for his interest in the business and
also expenses incurred by the witness IN
travelling to the factory where the fasteners
were made.
Now, Mr. Croft" demanded Mr.. Purdy
isn't it a fact that between November IL,
1898, and January u, 1856, the only money
you sent to Mr.. LorenZ was remittance OF
only s;tst?
Il 40 not remember" replied Mr.. Croft.
Interesting Postmasters.
Mr.. Purdy next wanted to know what
Lorenz did during the year 1896 in the dl-
rection of interesting postmasters in the
Croft fastener.
Il do not know what he did when he was
out of my sight, explained MIR. Croft.
The witness added that he was told by
Lorenz that he had visited the postmaster
at Chicago in the interest OF the fastener.
DO you know, inquired Mr. Purdy,
that Washington Hessing was then post
master at Chicago, and that he is now
dead?' -,
| Mr.. Croft did not know, he said.
Did you ever hear, next asked Mr..
| Purdy, that the postmaster at Chicago
| telesraphed the department asking what
the fasteners shipped to him were ror?'
/ The witness had rot heard.
! Continuing, Ar. Croft asserted that Mr..
/ LorenZ reported TO him several times in
! reference to what he was doing in the fas-
/ tener business, Tut the reports were verbal.
! The witness was asked regarding the in
| crease - the sales of the fastener He
| said that of the S13,C0J which, he claims,
the government now owes Croft Brother s
| for fasteners, Mr.. Lorenz is entitled TO re-
! ce-ye two-fifths-
| Mr.. Purdy next showed by statements of
| the witness in connection with checks Of
I fered in evidence by the defense that it
was custom with Mr.. Croft within a
| few days after receiving warrant in pay
ment Tor fasteners. to remit to Mr.. Lorenz
40 per cent of the amount of the warrant
Attorney kumicr objected 10 the line OF
| inquiry the ground that the checks and
warrants had already been introduced in
| evidence.
It's very painful, remarked Attorney
Conrad addressing Attorney Kumler, but
| you'll have to stand ii"
| The objection was overruled.
| At this point the witness was examined
| regarding certain of his checks to LOrenz
| that did not amount to 20 Fer cent of the
| face of the preceding warrants. Mr.. Croft
| declared that if these checks should be to-
| tailed il would appear that such total would
| equal 40 Per cent of the total of the war
| rants.
After Investigation Began.
| The government proved next that after
| the Post Office Department investigation
began Ar. Croft did not make any re-
| mittanoes to Lorenz. Two warrants, one
dated November 20 and tn. other December
| TO- 1902 were handed 10 the witness He
| was asked why he did not remit to Lorenz
| 40 per cent of the amount of those war
| rants. He replied that they were overlook
| ed temporarily.
Mr.. Croft" then said Mr. Purdy, there
| is warrant in your favor for 81 SIS, dated
! February IA, 1903. Did you ever remit 4C
per cent of the amount of that warrant to
! Mr.. Lorenz?"
mo. sir" was the reply
why didn't your" Numbered Mr.. Purdy
Don't be so cross" said Mr. Croft in
an aggreved manner. thereby causing
laughter.
| The explanation given by the witness was
! that the 10 per cent was reserved tor the
time being, for the purpose of paying the
| factory for fasteners that had baen sup
piled
but it is a fact" commented Ar Purify
| that from November. 1902. when yJu tirst
heard of this investigation down to tbs
| present time. you have not sent a penny I.
I Lorenz, although you owe him m,:y thar
$SG8"
The witness could not name anybody ex.
cept his brother. his son. Lorenz and him
self. who knew PRIOR &c the investigation
of the business arrangement between the
Croft brothers and Lorenz
when the price of the fasteners WAS re-
duced from 81 80 to $1.25 did you wife te
! Lorenz and tell him of the changer" in,
CURED Mr.. Purdy.
| al must have notified him in some way.
| replied Mr.. Croft. II would rather walE
/ ten miles. though. than write let.sr.
You had paid secretary said Mr.
! Purdy. Couldn't he have written to ID
| REM
Maybe ne did" suggested the witness,
| The examination of Di.i.r b. Croft
i ended at this point
Tie government had called for checks
showing remittances from Diller B. Grof
! to Samuel A. Croft of the latters share OF
the receipts from the sale of the fasteners
| The witness produced such checks. At
! torney Douglass accused the government
counsel OF unfairness in not making piair
| TO the jury that the checks proved thai
S. A. Croft had received the money to which
he entitled. after intimating yestcrda,
that Diller b. Croft was cheating hi.
! brother =
After a wrangie Mr.. Purdy remarked tina