The Washington times., 1904-01-28

straight. moved to strike out all men
ton OF payments from one defendant
to another. saying they could not prove
the conspiracy. The motion was over
ruled.
Mr.. Douglass argued against the ad-
mission of all the evidence 10 which de-
fendants counsel had objected lie
moved that the evidence be stricken
from the record. He also asked that
the oral and written statements OF the
GrOns and Lorenzes TO the inspectors
be stricken out. The motions were
Overruled.
Mr.. Kumler moved that the Govern
ment be compelled 10 elect on which
count 1t would proceed M. Beach said
the Government stood on all the counts.
Can Consolidate Counts.
Mr.. Conrad said If each count were a
separate Indictment, the court could
consolidate them and make the de-
PENDANTS stand on all Mr.. Keigwin said
the election of counts was applicable
only to felonies. Mr.. Kumlers motion
Was overruled.
Mr. Maddox made the opening state
ment for the defense. He said he
agreed with DIR Beach that II was not
a great state trial. 1t was simple. The
Groffs had a good thing; they wanted to
did sell it. Dilier Croft had had a long.
successful career as a soldier. having
been promoted TO a captaincy. and had
then experienced long and honorable
business career. Sam Gron left school
at sixteen. became a machinist, went to
the Pennsylvania oil fields, was success
ful. became treasurer OF Lancaster
county. Pa. came to Washington. and
was the last man appointed on the Met
ropolitan Police Force.
The Croft Inventions
he was always an inventor, and In
vented various things beside the Grof
! fasteAer, among otneis one called every
I man his own broom maker" has
recently invented a shell so dangerous
he thinks il ought 10 be called the
worlds peace maker" His attention
to the need for letter box fastener was
attracted whiI- going his rounds as a
/ policeman. When he completed his in
vention he saw Postmaster Willett and
Major Bell. They were greatly pleased
with the device He wrote Maehen.
asking permission to ssse two boxes
test He received a lester from Mr..
4 Willett saying the superintendent OF
free delivery had directed the permis-
/ sion be given.
In 1895. Mr. Marche. Machen's assist
ant. went TO see Croft. and talked over
/ the price of the fasteners. After some
! talk they agreed upon price of $50.
and in 1885 they got an order for Wash
ington.
! Groff Meets Lorenz.
The Groffs thought the pressure for
letter box fasteners would come from
/ postmasters and postmen. Neither had
/ the time to devote TO that work In
1895 Sam Gron went in the city post
ONCE and saw a number Of men looking
at the sample box. One OF them was
Lorenz. and that was the first time he
saw either Croft
Lorenz introduced himself. said the
device was just the thing the Govern
ment wanted. and he would ike TO have
an interest in IT, They made an en-
gagement TO meet at Diller Groh's next
day. Postmaster ETIIlett gave Lorenz
a good name TO Diiler Groff
Next day Lorenz. the two elder Grors.
and DIlIer F. Groff met at Dflier b.
/ Groff's office Lorenz said Re wanted
an interest. He knew postrGsters and
! Congressmen. and could be of great
service in working up demand for the
box in a legitimate manner. For his
services Lorenz agreed TO accept half
the profits. That accounted for the pay
ments from the Groffs to the Lorenzes-
No Written Contract.
The charge was $50 for the fasten-
ers At first, and Lorenz's share in the
receipts was more than 20 per cent OF
the price. When the price vas reduced
TO s1.25 I.orenz's share was 40 per cent
OF the price
There was no written contract be-
tween the parties. Lorenz sent on
written contract. calling fo- a half in
terest In the patent The Groffs OBJ
jected to the wording. and the thing
was delayed until there was no sign
ing at all
agencies. but Gron Bros. as a firm.
was not. and in order TO get manu-
facturer TO make the gOodz. the name
OF Diller B. Groff was used.
Diller Groff's Salary.
DnIer F. Croft was hired as clerk.
at $500 per year. In order to make up
this sum- one OF the manufacturers was
induced to deliver t1e devices for 20
cents each In 1899. the prize paid py
the Government was reduced from SiSo
to N25. In that year Groff Bros.
got a letter from Machen asking them
10 call on him DilIer F. Gron went for
them. Machen told them the price
would have to be reduced 20 $1.25. The
reason given was that the system Of
payments was to be altered. so the bro
theirs would get their money more
promptly. Machen said another reason
was that the article had become stand
ard 10 such an extent a fastener was
ordered for each new box and having
become such the price should be re-
! duced
A protest was made. but the brothers
were helpless and had to accept the
conditions imposed.
The indictment charged the Gron
| l TRroo x.sar.. r.-fI1f,er s,..tn.