Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-02
with the sale of fasteners. The reply was
In the negative.
Price Of Fasteners.

Mr.. Croft told of the price of the fasten-
ers being reduced from $50 to s1.25. He
and his brother "growled'' because the re-
duction was made. Had there been any
steps taken to further reduce the price
they meant to bring political influence to
bear on the department.
You had Senator Quay up your sleeve to
meet such a contingency, did you not!
asked Attorney Douglass
Yes sir" replied Diller B. Grom.
The defense offered in evidence letter
received by Mr.. Croft from a New YORK
firm October 8. 1901. asking the price OF
the Croft fasteners for export in large
quantities. In answer to the letter Mr.
Croft said that the price of the fastener
was % with 10 per cent off for cash.
The written statement signed by Diller
B. Croft last April was then taken up, and
further inquiry made regarding the erased
word therein. The word was originally
written "Machen,' but when the statement
called a halt, he said. and told the inspec-
tors that the word should be "Marche"
The inspector. Mr.. Croft declared, then
made an erasure.
Ing the visit to him May % of Inspectors
Mayer and Mckee. They informed him.
Mr.. Croft declared, that they wanted to
pen up two men. and said that he could
help them. They promised him immunity
and the payment of $4,000 owed him by
the government If he would get lin the gov
eminent band wagon.
Mr.. Croft said he made reply to the in
SpectOrS: who are you. who come to my
house and make such proposition as this?''
The visitors replied that they were post
office inspectors. and produced their cards.
Il then asked who they wanted to pen
up, testified Mr.. Croft. land inspector
Mayer replied: August w. Machen
Mr.. Croft" inquired Attorney Douglass
did you ever deny that you knew George
E, Lorenz or that you sent checks to him.
No civ Tod Ny
me If / knew a man named NJ. }. Lorenz,
and / told them j knew no man of that
name.
Assistant Attorney General Purdy also
conducted the cross-examination of Diller
B. Croft The witness declared that he did
not know who had authority to buy fas-
teners for the department.
Didn't you know that August w. Ma
chen was the official who had such au-
thority?" asked Mr.. Purdy.
Il did not" answered Mr.. Croft, land
don't know 1t now
Mr.. Purdy thought it strange that the
witness had not visited the Postmaster
General the first assistant or the superin-
tendent of the free delivery system in the
hope OF having the fastener adopted. The
witness admitted that from letter signed
by Machen and dated November %, 1893
and received by him, he had knowledge the
date mentioned that Machen was superin-
tendent of the free delivery system.
After Mr.. Croft had stated that he never
hept the papers III coHIlectioH Will MS
business transactions, a treasury warrant
for 5000 in favor of Croft Bros, in pay
ment for fasteners, was offered in evidence.
Did Mr. LorenZ receive his share of that
payment inquired Mr.. Purdy.
Il presume So stated Mr.. Croft.
How was he paid?"
by check, / presume"
IF you paid him by check your bank rec
ord would show that you did SO, wouldn't
it?' then asked Mr.. Purdy.
Mayer has my bank record; he can tell
YOU" replied Mr.. Croft sarcastically.
The examination of Diller b. Croft had
not been concluded when court adjourned
until 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.