New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-14
WYNNE TELLS OF MACHEN
HIS OPPORTUNITIES.
Vas Considered Capable and Mach
Relied On.

Washington. Jan. 1S-Robert ]. wyune. First AS
sistant Postmaster General. was the central hgure
in the postal trial to-day and when court ad-
journed until Friday he was still the stand. Mr.
Wynne's testimony occupied most Of the day. and
he was subjected to rigid cross-examination by
Charles A. Douglass, counsel for the defence dur
ing which the opposing attorneys had several tits
necesSitatng an admonitlon from Justice Pritchard
that they conduct the case in peace. Mr..
Wynne was piled with questions designed to test
his knowledge OF the duties of lis office. He said
frankly that he had often signed papers prepared
in Machen's division without examining into their
contents. because they to him in official FORM
and because he regarded Machen of the
most expert men in the service and relied him.
John Z. Howley. Mr.. Wynnes chief clerk. occu-
pied the stand for brief time. The principal
part Of his testimony related TO his suggesting TO
his superior officer the advisability of examining
into the legality of Machens initials and signature
being placed on letters and acquisitions by Ma
chens subordinates. He said that Miss Liebhardt.
Machen's stenographer. had for several years put
Machen's initials letters. He admitted that he
knew OF this practice three years before he be-
came chief clerk. He did not speak Of 1t TO his
chief he said because he did not want to interfere
with the affairs OF Machens division.
Howley said that he could not recall holding any
conversation with Mr. Wynne regarding the
pendfture OF money for his Office. He explained
that division chiefs were trusted IN these matters
and that he himself never investigated the subject
matter of letters. On further questioning he said
that the First Assistant Postmaster General was
required personally to sign any letters calling for
the expenditure Of money. though. from the num-
Der of matters Mr.. Wynne had to attend to- he did
not investigate their nature or the necessity for
the expenditure.
Answering further questions. the witness said
that the only time he ever held up any letter sma-
mating from Machen's division was when some Con-
gresham asked for more money than Machen had
allowed. AS rule. however. routine matter was
regarded as routine and Machen's acts not
questioned.
Mr.. Kumler then took the witness and secured
from him the statement that until the nvestiga-
ton he never heard of any criticism o. the Croft
fastener. On redirect examination. Mr.. Taggart
had the witness identify certain orders for Croft
fasteners. signed by Mr.. Wynns and by himself as
Acting First Assistant Postmaster General He
could not identify Mr.. Machen', initials or sigma
fuTe on the orders or tho contents OF the papers,
saying that he had never looked at them.
Howley was then excused. and Mr.. Wynne took
the stand. He said that in the matter OF the pur-
chase OF supple. for the free delivery service he
always transacted his business with Machen the
general superintendent IL was not a part OF his
duties personally to attend TO the direction or
preparation OF orders for Croft fasteners or other
supplies. or to determine whether these supplies
were absolutely necessary. unless the subject
particularly brought 70 bis attention In all such
matters he relied on hSphen- In all matters where
no question arose Machen would decide them for
the First Assistant Postmaster General. but where
any question was involved the First Assistant him
self decided II.
AT the afternoon session. IN response TO a ques-
uon as to who imposed the duty on Mr.. Machen
or deciding certain questions Mr.. wynne said that
he assumed the right because Machen accepted the
duty every day. He said further that Machen had
his authority because OF his CWynns's) approval OF
Mechen's acts. Regarding the purchase OF sup
plies. Mr.. Wynne said that in his ONCE there had
been three distinct supply divisions. which showed
q lack Of system. complex system He said
that he regarded Machen OF the expert
men in the service and when he received a paper
from him he assumed that Machen knew what he
was doing.
Did you know that Mr. Machsn knew his bust
nesst Mr. Wynne was asked
i knew that Mr.. Machen knew what hs
Did he know that you knew your business9' LII
Douglass next inquired.
He knows It now" was the quick retort and the
court crler was compelled to rap for order.
lie said that after he had determined. IN De-
ceraDery LO2 on the investigation OF the depart
menl, ne regarded with suspicion everything ema-
mating from Machen's Office and closely scrutnized
it Therefore, he did not consult Machen about the
expenditure OF money. but made inquiries OF Ma
chens clerks. For long time his investigation ala
the part OF Machen
Asked II he signed any lstter calling for the ex-
Machen, Mr. Wynne said that he would make in
Vestsaton and sgn the letter after he found every
signed by Mr.. Wynne. and dated as late as jan
uary, 1903, addressed to the Grors ordering one
hundred fasteners at 81 IS each. Mr. Wynns said
that an order for that number probably would not
arrest his attention Ee explained that freQuentiv
ne held up recommendations of his division chiefs
Tor the expenditure OF money. He declared that h
volvng the expenditure OF money. in order 10 save
him tWynne) from putting his name to a paper
that might be wrong.
On cross examination by Mr. KurnIer Mr. wvnn.