Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-15

Beach.
Objection sustained ruled Justice
Pritchard.
Exception noted" added Attorney Kum-
Ter.
Now Mr. Wynne," counsel proceeded.
did you not accept an invitation from Mr..
Machen to be his guest at banquet Of the
Ohio Society in New York city January II
last, and were you not his guest on that
occaSion?''
Il did accept such an invitation and was
his guest" answered Mr.. Wynne. II think
the invitation was extended to me In De-
cember, and 1 must say that I went with
strange feelings
But you were his guest" Attorney Kun
Ter persisted Eat time when you thought
that he was unworthy of belief"
IT was responded the first assistant
postmaster general.
That's ALL" announced Attorney Kum-
Ter in tones of satisfaction, settling back in
his chair.
The cross-examination Of Mr.. wynne by
Attorney Maddox, counsel for the GrOf
brothers, was at this point begun. In an
swer to a question the witness said he scru-
tiniZed to the best Of his ability the requisi-
| tons calling for the expenditure of between
$50 600 600 and $70,OO0OOO annually that
passed through his hands
Your scrutiny was more or less per-
| functory, was 1t not?' Attorney Maddox
asked.
TT depended upon the pressure upon me
at the time, was the reply.
The defense requested Mr.. Wynne to pro-
duce certain documents next Monday, and
reserved the right to cross-examine him
| thereon.
Questions By Government.
| The redirect examination of the first as
| sistant postmaster general was then under
| taken by Assistant United States Attorney
| Taggart. and a heated exchange soon took
| place. Some reference was made to a man
| named McGregor.
To onriC mt
| In the pententiary for two years." remark
ed Mr.. Wynne
| Il object" said Attorney C. A. Douglass.
| Even though this witness holds the high
/ Office of hrst assistant postmaster general
| o: the United States, think he ought to
| be reprimanded by the court for injecting
| such statement into the case with the
! intention of influencing the jury"
THE jury will not consider that state
| ment." directed Justice Pritchard. II trust
| that counsel will hereafter keep extraneous
| matter out of the case"
| The witness stated that the stamping Of
| his name with a rubber stamp on an order
for Croft fasteners was done without au-
| thority from him.
| did you not withdraw from Mr.. Mach
| en-, after you began to distrust him, as you
| say, all rubber stamps of your manner" In
/ quired Attorney Douglass
| II hope / did, quietly answered Mr..
| Wynne.,
TT is not a question of what you hope
you did" commented Attorney Douglass.
with asperity. but did your
Il do not remember" said Mr. Wynne.
| Mr.. Wynne further stated that he did not
remember ever having received a requisi-
ton for Croft fasteners.
| Mr. Wynne here left the stand, and Mr..
Blair w Taylor chief clerk of the Post
Office Department, was recalled. merely to
produce copies Of the postal regulations OF
| 1903 and 1904.
Perry Heath Testifes.
The spectators Strengthened up with in
terest when Assistant United States Attor-
ney Taggart directed:
Cali Perry s. Heath
Mr. Heath clearly and distinctly stated
that he was appointed first assistant post
master general in March, 1897. He contin-
ued the practice. he said, of purchasing
Croft letter-box fasteners. The orders for
SUCH he said. originated in the delivery
bureau. and reached the witness for sigma
ture.
| An order for Croft fasteners was handed
| to Mr. Heath. and he stated that his name
had been placed on 1t by rubber stamp.
Rubber stamps. 1t was added, were used
| for formal letters. 1t was not the practice
in the department to place signatures by
/ rubber stamp on any communications call
ing for the expenditure of money.
Continuing. Mr.. Heath testified that never.
! prior to entering the court room, had he
| seen either OF the Croft brothers, that he
had never considered the subject of the
| purchase of the Croft fasteners. and orders
for the same he signed pro fornaa. relying
| on the judgment of subordinates that the
| fasteners were needed
Initials on Documents.
The witness described in detail the meth
cd of classifying papers that was followed
| in the Office OF the first assistant post
master general. and went on to say that
; the Initials "A. w. NJ on an order or bill
that reached him for signature signihed
, Mr.. Machens approval OF the paper. The