Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-01
Diller Croft Tells What Oc-
Cured at Fathers Home.
THE POST>OFFICE TRIAL
WITNESS SAYS DILLER B. CROFT
SPURNED PROPOSITION.
Had Been Asked by Inspector Mayer
to Come Over to the Gov
ernment Side.

Samuel A. Croft. the inventor of the fas-
teners that have figured In the trial of him
self and brother Diller B. Croft, the Lo-
renzes and August W. Machen, charged
with conspiracy to defraud the govern
ment. was called to the witness stand
shortly before Il o'clock today.
He followed his nephew, Diller F. Croft,
who, 1t has been brought out by the
testimony for the defense, acted as secre-
tary to the Croft brothers. receiving there
for compensation approximating $500
year.
The crowd in the court room today was
much smaller than on Friday. For the first
time since the trial began Inspector Fosnes,
who was one of the main props Of the gov
ernment in working up the case against the
defendants, was spectator throughout
session of the court.
FoSneS was one of the inspectors who
called at the home of Diller b. Croft last
May, in company with Inspector Mayer.
He worked early and late throughout the
investigation last summer, and known
TO be the right-hand man of Chief InSpec-
tor Cochran, under whose immediate drec-
u0n the entire force of inspectors labored
FosneS occupied a seat al the table where
heretofore during the trial Inspector Greg
ory has sat, guarding the papers and docr-
ments belonging to the Post Office Depart-
ment that have been placed in evidence or
tentively to the testimony of the Groffs
uncle and nephew.
inspector Mayer, on previous DAYS
sat near the counsel for the government,
ana not fnfrequently gave suggestions to
District Attorney Beach during his cross
exapination of Diller F. Croft
The latter is perhaps thirty-five years old
He fs of the same temperament as his IA
ther, although smaller of stature His head
rs bald and he wears a mustache thar
barely hides his upper lip He answered
the questions of the district attorney with
IN air OF confidence, but al times became
bettied when Mr. Beach pressed him for an
answer such as he apparently did not want
20 give. once or twice he gave Mr. Beach
= sharp retort.
End of Trial.
The rest from Friday seemed to have
been appreciated by the Jurors and thew
gave more than ordinary attention to the
proceedings which during the forenoon.
were devoid of anything out of the ordi-
nary.
Holmes Conrad specially anpointed nv
president Roosevelt to assist the prOsecr-
uon of the alleged conspiracy cases was
nor IN his accustomed place today. He has
oeen suffering from an attack of the grip
Tor more than two weeks He is likely
saving his strength for the final argument
Of the government to the jury
1t Is understood that the arguments to the
Jury will be made in the following rotation:
ASSISTANT Attorney General Purdy will
make the first address for the government
anu VIII De followed by District Attorney
morgan Beach, also for the government
Samuel Maddox, representing the Groffs
VIII make the first argument for the de-
tense He will be followed by Judge Kum-
Ter of Toledo for the Lorenzes and he in
turn by Charles A. Douglass in behalf of
0achen, Mr.. Conrad, as stated before max
ing the closing plea for the prosecution
Already there have been many applica-
lions for admittance to the court room
while the arguments are being made. Judge
kumler said this afternoon 1t was the hone
Of the defense to have all the Testimony in
oy Wednesday afternoon in which event
ne thought, the case would reach the jury
oy Saturday afternoon. The government
counsel are not so sanguine. extending the
belief that the case will not reach the jury
until some time next week
Today began the fourth week of the trial
Justice Pritchard is desrous that not a
minute of unnecessary time shall retard
the progress of the case. He became
Wearied today with the dulness of the
examination of Diller F. Croft, and occa-
SiohaIiy ieft his chair and strode up and
down behind the bench.
Machen took less interest than usual In
he proceedings today. Only once or twice
Did he communicate with his counsel, Mr.
Douglass The rest of the time he sat
deep in his chair with his hands folded
over his breast. Once during the fore
noon his sister. Mrs. Philipps left her seat
beside that of Mrs. Lorenz and walking
up TO him. bent over and whispered. What
ever 1t was she said seemed to pleased
Gachen, for he laughed almost out loud.
The Torn Letter.
Throughout the time that his son was
Oh the stand Diller b. Groff's eyes were
fastened upon him. The mutilated letter
That was offered in evidence late Saturday
AFTERNOON was again brought to the stten-
ton of the jury this forenoon, while Dis
trict Attorney Beach was cross-examining
Diller +. Croft. This letter is one of the
most sensational features of the rrial thus
tar. 1t is in number of pieces that are
pasted together on d full sheet OF writing
paper.
This mutilated letter shows that It was
written in October, but the year that would
make the date complete in missing II is
remarkable. in so far that only here and
there is letter few letters missing
not enough to destroy the text. When it
was introduced again today, Justice Prit-
chard said that he would like TO see It.
Mr. Beach handed the mutilated letter to
the justice and he scrutinized it closely
Il believe there are number of the jury
men who would like TO see this" said Jus
uce Pritchard. and 1t turned over to
the jury. Thee or four of the jurors read
the letter carefully and scrutinized the way
tn which the torn pieces had been pasted
together
Young Groff's Testimony
noticeable peculiarity of DilIer F. Groff's
testimony his failure to remember i'm
portant things, such a secretary of
company might be expected to remember
Croft testified that no account was kept of
his uncle's share of the profits from the
sale of the Croft fasteners to the govern
uent.
He said he kept no account of the dealings
of the Gron Brothers with LorenZ. Young
Croft also testified that he did not carry on
any of the correspondence.
This prompted Mr.. Beach TO ask him If
he did none of the things that were usually
expected of a secretary or clerk, what he
I'm reality did do to earn his salary. The
witness said it was his duty to do the
running" to go to the Post Office Depart
ment and see about getting warrants in
payment for fasteners ordered by the de-
partment.
Mr.. Beach adroitly got Diller +. Groff to
say that his father had taken Lorenz. the
second time he met him. practically into
partnership agreeing to give him certain
percentage of the profits for his efforts in
Getting them placed. The witness said that
the first time his father had ever seen
CONTINUED on Twelfth Page.I