Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-27
INSPECTORS ON STAND
Under Cross-Examination by
Counsel for Defense.
POST OFFICE CASES
INQUIRY REGARDING DILLER B.
GRoFF's STATEMENT.
Inspector Mayer Denies That He Of
fered the Defendant Immunity
Piled With Questions.
POST OFFICE CASES

OF the aHeSeU HOSt OIIlce DepdTtIleHt con'
spirators. resumed his cross examination
of Inspector Mayer this forenoon. He was
aggressive in his questioning, and he found
in Inspector Mayer a foeman worthy of
his steel.
Mayer has been an important factor in
the trial The defense, soon as a jury
was secured, more than two weeks ago.
sought to have him excluded from the
court room, and there was passage at
arms over the question of his remaining
Mr.. Holmes Conrad of the special counsel
for the government insisted that he was in
reality the client of the government, mas
much he was the representative of the
United States. Justice Pritchard ruled that
Mayer might stay
Several days ago the counsel for defense
sought again to destroy Mayors force as
prosecutor-as assistant to the prose-
cution-by attempting to show by affidavits
that he had been coaching witnesses. This
was met by the government by affidavits
made and sworn to by Mayer and Inspec-
tor Gregory, who declared they had not
tried in any way to convey Information to
or to extract it from witnesses for the gov
ernment.
When he began questioning the witness
this forenoon Mr.. Douglass sat in his chair
Later, when he became more interested in
the examination he stood up and used his
hand In a menacing way to emphasize his
words.
Absence of Stenographic Report.
He wanted to know why a stenographic
account OF Mr.. Diller B. Ciroff's statement
was not made. Mayer said it was due to
the fact that Croft had said to him that he
adhered to a former statement, the state
ment that was admitted by the court to the
jury yesterday after lengthy argument
by counsel on both sides.
There was no good calling a Stenogra-
pher," Mr.. Mayer declared.
Mr.. Croft said he adhered to what he had
formerly said. and I didn't look upon
further statement as necessary
Mayer told of this visit to Diller B. Croft,
and how the latter picked up cannon ball,
two-pound shot and said he had been hit
with 1t in his service for the government
during the civil war. He admitted, under
cross-examnation, that he appealed to
Croft s patriotism TO come once more to the
aid of the government and tell the truth
to his connection with the other defendants
in their alleged attempt to muict the gov
ernment.
II said to Mr.. Croft" continued Mayer,
You must know that you sent checks to
LorenZ."
Inspector Mayer testified that he told
Croft he came to him officer of the
government, and that he came there for
no other purpose than to get the truth.
Didn't you offer immunity to Diller B.
Croft if he would tell all he knew?" in
quired Mr. Maddox, who followed Mr..
Douglass in the cross-eXamination.
''Why, no." Inspector Mayer replied, and
looking the attorney in the eye, he con-
tinued:
Don't you know that 1 can't give i'm
munity to any one? Don't you know that
1t is impossible for me to give immunity to
any one?"
At another time, when Mr.. Douglass was
cross-examining Inspector Mayer, he asked
If anything had been said regarding pos
sible immunity.
Groff's Remark to Mayer.
"Only by his own remark" Mayer re-
Piled, referring to what he had testified
that Croft had said in his presence. MIR.
Croft said to me- he continued. Then a
man who turns states evidence will not be
prosecutor"
Wasn't the question of the $4,000 which
the government owes the Groffs brought out
in your conversation with Diller b. GronY'
Mr.. Maddox asked.
yes" said the witness II told Mr.. Croft
that whatever the government owed him
would be paid
Mayer was on the witness stand until
IL 45 am. Judge Kumler the Toledo law
yer, who represents the LorenZeS, the
last of the counsel for the defense to cross
examine Inspector Mayer. He was ques-
tionng regarding Mayors visits to Toledo.
The examination became dull Justice
Pritchard called the attention of Judge
Kumler to the fact that the questions were
meaningless.
''the witness could have come to me and
within five minutes found out everything
that was wanted
'T am sure he made a mistake in not see
Ing you" said Justice Pritchard, dryly,
and there ripple of laughter in the
court room.
Mr. Holmes Conrad of the special coun-
sci for the government was in much better
physical condition today. He watched the
proceedings with interest, and occasionally
made notes that will aid him in his argu-
ment before the jury. Assistant Attorney
General Purdy also took copious notes to-
day. He sat next to District Attorney
Beach and not infrequently conferred with
him
Machen and Iorenz occupied chairs ad-
ioining at the forenoon session. Attorney
Conrad Syme sat next to Machen, ana oc-
casionally talked with him In an under.
tone regarding the case. MIS- Lorenz anu
Mrs. Philips, a sister of Machen, sat to-
gether. Samuel A. Croft, the inventor OF
the Croft fastener, moved his chair nearer
the fury this forenoon. Mr.. Conrad left
the trial table during the proceedings and
occupied chair next to Samuel a. Croft.
Inspector Williams.
point that seemed to be favorable to
%he government was brought out during
Judge Kumlers cross-examination of In
spector Williams The witness testified
that Mrs Lorenz said to him when he
called upon her at her home in Toledo that
In so far as she knew August w. Machen
had no financial resources other than his
salary from the government.
Mrs Lorenz took a keen interest in the
cross-examination of Williams. Judge kunl-
Ter tried to get the witness to admit that
he was taking advantage of a woman when
he went to see Mrs. Lorenz knowing at the
time that George p. Lorenz was at the
Boody House with Postmaster Tucker of
Toledo.
inspector Williams stated frankly:
I've did prefer to see Mr.. and Mrs
Iorenz separately, and were anxious that
one should not have opportunity to COM
mnnicate with the other by telephone be-
fore we had seen one of them. 1t was not
a Question which OF the two we should see
first.
amination of the witness. 1t was brought
ont that Inspector Williams did make a