The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-11
MACHEN AGAIN ON THE
STAND At WASHINGTON
He Explains at Great Length the
Deal by Which He Acquired
Ohio Oil Interests.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 1O.-The postal trial
to-day was made interesting by several
lively tilts between counsel for the de-
Tense and Mr.. Conrad. representing the
government, Justice Pritchard frequently
admonishing them to proceed more orderly.
August Machen occupied the stand the
entire day, for the most part of which he
was under cross-examination. AS on yes
terday he was thoroughly composed and
gave his testimony in conversational style,
often putting questions to Mr.. Conrad de-
signed TO assist him in bringing out some
particular point. He went over his con-
nection with the oil venture in great de-
tail. and in many instances did not re-
quire documents to refresh his memory,
saying he could give the facts by heart. y
He reiterated the statement that he rec
commended the Croft fastener because Of its
merits and not through the influence either
of the Groffs or Lorenz. He explained that
when he came to Washington to assume
his duties he owed $4,000 and at the pres
ent time owes but $1,000 of that debt. 1t
was brought out by the government that
since 1899 Machen had deposited in West
minister, Md. bank over 1000 and the
government sought to show that it was i'm
possible for him, from the various sources
mentioned by him, to have received this
amount of money. wrangle OF counsel
lasting half an hour followed, over the
propriety Of a question bearing on the
points, the court reserving his decision
after requesting the question to be with
drawn temporarily.
Machen further testified that when he
acquired his uncle's interest in the oil
property, In the face of impending failure
and the double liability laws of Ohio. he
simply took chances on the company getting
out of its difficulty
Mr.. Machen said he told the inventor of
the Miller fastener that his device seemed
TO be an infringement on the Gron fastener
that he did not care TO buy a lawsuit, and
besides, 1t did not have the merits of the
latter.
In regard to the question of initiating
letters, Machen said Mr.. Wynne, the first
assistant postmaster general, knew that
Miss Leibhardt was doing IT, SO did First
Assistant Postmaster General Johnson and
Mr.. Masten, his chief clerk; also Mr.. How
ley, Mr.. Wynne'S chief clerk. Mr.. Machen
further said Mr.. Wynne knew of it before
entering the Office. After Mr.. Heath retired
from office in 1900, Mr.. Machen said, Post
master Smith took direct supervision over
the rural free delivery division and made
ii a practice to send members of Congress
and senators to confer with him (Machen.)
Out of this. Machen said, grew the practice
of writing letters to congressman signed in
his name.
Mr.. Wynne, he said, on taking charge
had directed that this should stop. An
swering a question by Mr. Douglass, Mr..
Machen said his relations with Mr. Wynne
became very strained in February, 1903.
AT that time" he said, Mr.. Wynne was
salary to $1,000 Mr.. Wynne requested me
TO. use my influence with certain members
of Congress TO that end, which / refused
to do" After that time. he said, he and
Wynne were not on speaking terms. He
denied receiving money from Lorenz for
the purpose of influencing his action.