Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-20
POSTAL TRIAL.
Trying to Show Acts Of Grofs
and MaChen's Division.
Bank officials Give Testimony Con-
corning Deposits and Checks.
Inspector Rebuked for Talking with
Witnesses About Case.

clcteu Win MIN Tor conspiracy 10 Ce-
fraud the government proceeded rap
idly, today. The government put in
evidence number Of documents, hay
ing direct bearing on the dealings Of
the Croft brothers with M2chen'S di-
vision of the post office department and
bank officials gave testimony concern
ing :he deposits of the Croft S and the
checks drawn against these deposits.
Attorney Kumler, representing the
Lorenzs complained that Post Office
Inspector Walter S. Mayer had talked
to witnesses before they took the stand.
Mayer denied the charge. Attorney
EumIer said he had positive inforlna-
ton that Mayer had committed the
offense and Justice Pritchard rebul;eI
the inspector and warned him against
its repetition.
John +. Clark, a letter carrier. today,
continued his testimony in the postal
trial. He related how in 1895. he had
been directed to report to Mr.. Macbeth,
superintendent Of free delivery who Or
Gercd him to go to Baltimore to explain
the working of the Croft fastener.
Later he said he had been ordered to
perform similar work in New York,
Detroit, Jersey City, Buffalo, Toledo.
ST. Louis and Richmond. Va. The wit
ness could not identify Machen's sigma
ture to certain letters authorizing Ger
tain persons to pay him for painting
and repairing boxes and attaching
Croft fasteners. There was AN argu-
mcnt over the admissibility Of the let
ters but Justice Prichard ruled that the
letters could be admitted.
on cross-examinatiOn by Mr.. Doug
Lass. witness said he had been reinstat-
ed rs a letter carrier by Machen some
time before the Croft fastener was in
troduced into the service.
He declared that he regarded his
trips to the various cities as perfectly
necessary for the proper installation OF
the boxes with the Croft fasteners.
Machen, lie said. simply discharged the
duties of his office as superintendent.
The pay for his work. he said. would
come from the postmaster of the city
where it was done. on the authority OF
the office of the first assistant pOstma5-
ter general Out OF this money. ice
said. he paid his own living expenses.
The Croft fastener, he said was Il per
fectly satisfactory arrangement.
Walter a. Smith. superintendent of
city delivery of the Rroolllyn post
office, said while in Machen's office IL
1896. that he had been shown Croft
fastener and had pronounced it good
thing Later h. said a number OF tie
fasteners We're shipped to his office.
John II. Dunham, q clerk IN the
Washington city post office, ldentlfied
the alleged requests of Machen'S Tor
thu. detailing Of John +. Clark to Visit
various cities.
Refcre the next witness was called Mr.
Eumler for the defence made the charge
that Post Office Inspector Mayer was IN
the habit of leaving the court room and
talkin;; with the witness. Justice pritcA-
ard said that was something he would
not tolerate tor Il moment. The district
attorney diSclamed any knoWledg" OF IL.
whereupcn Justice Pritchard remarked
that il it occurred again he would ASK
for an affidavit and take proper action IN
the matter.
District Attorney Beach demanded that
Kumler make good his charge or retract
- will not retract," Mr.. kumler hotiy
replied. Justice fritchard stopped the
discussion by saying he had already an
nounced what he would 90 If the offence
was repeated
Mr. Beach asked if the matter was to
be allowed to drop at this point. He de-
manded that the complaint be sworn to-
Justice Pritchard made no such require
ment bur rcbuked Inspector Mayer ana
said his conduct had been a violation oil
the rule of the court. Mr.. Mayer VlSof-
ouSly denied the charge. and said he did
not believe Mr. Kumler ever had heard
any sucn thing. He insisted that ne was
prepared to answer the charge at any
time.
Mir. Kumler said ne would later in the
day submit his proof.
n. +. I.aughtin. sales agent of the Vii
mington Malleable Iron Works of Will
mington. Delaware. testified that his firm
made some of the fasteners for Diiler ID
Croft, and was about to state the cost OF
producing them when counsel for the de
fence objected. The court overruled the
objection. The price charged, the wit
ness said. was 25 cents for a complete
slide and 1el2 cents for half slide. lie
could not say whether the government
paid the freight. but declared his firm
did not pay it.
RAYMOND Kcebles of Jenney. Stenmctz
& Co. of Philadelphia, testified that for
merly he was connected with the " il
mington Malleable Iron Works, and said
a price of 20 cents each first WAS made
Later it was adjusted to - cents and Il
cash rebate of five cents was allowed for
prompt payment.
When court convened Mr.. TaEgart read
to the jury various orders for Croft faS
teners and exhibited the treasury drafts
in payment therefor.
John c. Ecklor. cashier in the Second
National Bank of this city. identified the
Groff signatures on the papers in ques-
ton.
The witness also identified a remittance
blank addressed to the Second National
Bank of Toledo. transmitting for collec
ton check drawn by Martha j. Lorenz
for $50
Counsel for the defence interposod the
objection that there was no proof of COM
spiracy and that no proof of an overt act
can be offered in evidence at this stage
of the trial. Counsel reserved the right
TO argue the point later
George ID. Ashton. bookkeeper of the
Citizens National Bank of this city. read
from n transcript of the books of the
bank showing various deposits TO and
Withdrawals from the account of Dillon
ID. Croft Witness had not concluded
when court adjourned until tomorrow.