The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-21
AffidavitS Do Not Show
That Charges Were
Well Founded.
HUMDRUM DAY IN COURT
Defense Fails in Effort to
Have Banking Evidence
Submitted in Bulk.

Startling disclosures in connection
with the charges that Postoffice Inspec-
tors Mayer and Gregory mad posted
witnesses were lacking this morning in
the ninth day Of the trial of A w.
Machen. the Gron brothers. George E.
Lorenz and Martha ]. Lorenz. his wife.
on the charge of conspirmg TO defraud
the Government in the purchase of
Croft letter-box fasteners.
John F. Kumler. for the defense. sub
mitted three afidavits against the in
spectors- They were by Diller F. Croft.
son OF one OF the defendants: y. H
Baumgartner. cashier of the bank IL
Westminster in which Machen kent his
account. and William p Sapp. assistant
superintendent Of city delivery in To-
Iedo Ohio, the city from which Machen
and the Lorenzes hail
The afiidavits were TO the effect thar
Gregory and Mayer had been seen 5alk-
Ing 10 witnesses and in one instance it
was charged that Gregory had shown
papers to the witnesses who had not
been on the stand.
IL was not testified that the inspectors
had given any specific aid to the wit
nesses- dr. Conrad. for the prosecu-
tion. took the ground that the in
spectors had in no way violated the
the court. and so argued
Inspectors Must Reply.
Justice Pritchard held that man
should not only have z fair trial. but
should have no reason 70 think other
wise. and ordered the clerk TO issue an
order on the two inspectors 10 make
answer 10 the allegations OF The de-
fense in affidavits. These are expected
to be ready tomorrow
HGmdrum. dry but essentially i'm
portant proceedings. marked the ses-
sion this morning. Harry Halstead.
clerk in the Home Savings Bank Of
Toledo, and President Carr. of the "a
tional Bank of Commerce in the same
city. Identified on the books Of their
institutions receipts Of money by the
Lorenzes and the almost immediate
Forwarding Of part. of Tx sums by the
LOreazes TO a. w. Machep Item after
item OF these transa actiOns was identi-
fed by the bank officers. and while the
monotonous recital made the audience
and even the accused. SLEEPY 81 was
link after link in the chaii- oG proof of
the conspiracy which the prosecution
alleges TO have existed
Taggart 0utwits Defense.
Mr. TaggzTt started yesterday to trace
the course Of check after check from
the Grons. when they received payment
for the fasteners, 70 the Lorenzes. and
then a forwarding Of a part Of the
money TO Machen. The defense sudden
~ decided il would admit without fur
ther Identification. and subject only TO
the general exception. the entire lot OF
checks. drafts. deposit slips and other
banking entries
Such a general admission would have
destroyed the effect upon the jury OF the
incessant forging OF one link TO another.
and the prosecution could have shown
the continuity and intensity OF the series
OF financial transa actiOns on4y in the
speeches before the jury at the close OF
the case.
Several times yesterday the defense
offered to let in the evidence in a
bunch. instead of insisting upon re-
cital OF each incident Mr. Taggart said
he was much obliged. but would pro-
ceed with the case in his own way, and
proceed be did. holding the attention OF
the jury or the transactions until re
cess today.
The attendance was large this morn
Ing There was general impression
that sensational charges would be made
against the inspectors. followed by
strenuous denials. q fierce legal battle
between counsel and possible drastic
action By the court The afidavits Of
the defense were all that rewarded the
spectators. and the rest OF the pro
ceedings were uninterestlnE