Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-19
POST OFFICE TRIAL
LIVELY SCENES IN THE COURT
ROOM TODAY.
Testimony as to Cost of Croft Fasteners
Admitted by Justice Pritchard
Witnesses Heard.


ledo. who represents the Lorenzes arose,
and. addressing the court, said:
your honor, | am informed that Mr..
Mayer. the post office inspector who is as
sisting the counsel for the government, is
talking to the witnesses before they are
called to the witness stand. submit, with
all candor. that this is manifestly unfair
Mr.. Mayer had just returned from the
.ante-room- a Mr.. Keebie had been called
as Witness but could not be found. and
Mrs. Mary Marshall was brought upon the
stand. Assistant District Attorney Taggart
had already begun to question the witness,
when Attorney Charles A. Douglass inter-
posed an objection declaring that Mr..
keeble's name had been announced as the
witness wanted, and now the government
was examining an entirely different person.
Mr.. Taggart attempted to explain to the
court that both witnesses were to be ex-
amined on the same line, and that mas
much as the first person called was not
present the next person the list was
brought to the stand
Then it was that Judge Kumler arose
and made the charge that Inspector Mayer
mad been talking with witnesses. Mr..
Mayer was just about to take his seat.
His face flushed at the intination of the
Ohio lawyer.
Name some of the witnesses whom l
have talked to- he said and it was evil
dent from the manner in which he said it
that he was in anything but pleasant
frame of mind.
District Attorney Morgan Beach had a
quick consultation with Assistant Attorney
General Purdy while Judge Kumler was ad-
dressing the court When the latter was
through talking Mr.. Beach said:
Your honor. let the counsel for the de-
Tense formulate this charge against Mr..
Mayer Let the counsel give names, times,
&c This is serious chal ge.''
Il do now said Judge kumler, with
great emphasis.
Justice Pritchard was apparently sur
prised and aroused at the suggestion of
such condition the counsel for the de-
fense had suggested.
Il Will not tolerate it for a single mo-
ment," said the court.
Nor /. if it be true said District At
torney Beach.
Mrs. Marshall had been permitted to tes-
tify that she knew the Lorenzes. when
Judge Kumler said that If the government
was trying to establish the fact that the
Lorenzes had been in Washington it was adj
H:itted by the defense. even as to the date.
Mrs. Marshall was excused While this
brief examination had been going on MIR.
Beach and Mr. Purdy again were in con-
sultation. As Mrs. Marshall left the stand
Mr.. Beach arose and addressed the court.
He was evidently angered at the imputation
that had been placed upon Post Office IN
sTector Mayer.
your honor" he said, with warmth, Il
want this corrected here and now or re-
tracted by the counsel for the defense.
demand that the counsel must make good
o. Tetract
II have said to Nh Kumler that if he will
submit proof will take the matter up and
act upon it accordingly said Justice
Pritchard. IF the inspector has gone ont
and talked with witnesses l will not stand
for 1t. Let Mr.. Mayer speak for himself"
Il want this thing retraeted or formally
taken up now,i Mr.. Beach persisted.
II will not retract." Judge kumer re-
torted. The information has come to rne
- from reputable source. 1t is not alone on
hearsay evidence.
Hereafter Justice Pritchard said, ad-
dressing counsel for both sides when
witness is wanted, let the bailin do The
summonng. And l suggest that list of
witnesses that are soon to be called De
prepared and they be notified TO be in readi-
ness that there may be no delay in the pro-
ceedingS.'
About the time the next witness. Mr.. f.
W. Loughlin, representing the Wilmington,
Del, malleable iron works. where the Croft
fasteners We're made took the stand, ii was
noticed that Inspector Mayer had again
been out in the corridors. This fact was
called To the attention of the court by At
torney Charles A. Douglass
Justice Pritchard with great severity and
looking directly at Mr. Mayer, who had
taken his accustomed seat Immediately be-
hind the counsel for the government, said:
If the inspector is dsobeying the order
of the court 1 want it understood that it
must not occur again
MI. Mayors Denial.
Shortly before the noon adjournment
another sensational event occurred. Mr.
Taggart asked the court if there were any
objections to Inspector Mayer stepping out
of the court room business.
Il desire to say that he does not go for
the purpose of talking with Witnesses" he
somewhat sslrcasticaily added.
Certainly said Justice Pr.tcnard, there
is no objection The court only desires that
its orders shall be obeyed"
Mr.. Mayer arose to his own defense. Ad-
dressing the court. he sad:
i have been preparing cases for trial for
twenty years, and believe j know my du-
ties. i believe know the courtesy and re-
speet that are due the court. ] want 1t un-
derst0od that l have not talked with wit
nesses. as has been charged here in court.
Furthermore. don't believe Judge Kumler
ever heard any person say J have ap-
proac he'd Witnesses.
Mr.. Mayer stood erect, and his face was
pale. He measured his words carefully.
Judge Kumler on his feet instantly. 1t
looked as If there might he a physical en-
counter. The Ohio lawyer evidently
enraged at the inference. almost the direct
charge, that impugned the honesty of his
statement. He restrained himself. how
ever. He turned 10 the court and said:
LET furnish the proof"
''Thst is what he. demanded, said Dis
trict Attorney Beach.
II was finally decided that proof of the
statement made earlier in the day by
Judge kumler should be submitted 10 the
court at a later period.
Line of Testimony
The government this morning started in
with testimony to show that Machen acted
as agent for the Croft fasteners. that he
superintended the installation of the fas-
teners in various cities, and took undue
and unusual interest in their speedy dis
tribution throughout the post office service.
Several witnesses in this line of examina-
tjon We're called.
The government was successful in hav
ing admitted testimony that tended to show
the cost of the fasteners to the Groffs. The
admission of this testimony combated
nv counsel for the defense. Judge Kumler
declared that the cost had nothing TO do
With the value OF the fasteners
~ am against you on that proposition"
said Justice Pritchard.
.syVhy YOUR honor" Judge Kumler con-
-I-----a s,.. Dc.