Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-16
TRIAL YESTERDAY.

of framing questions that were asked. Mr..
Johnson left the stand at 11:b4 a.m., and
former First Assistant Postmaster General
Jones, now of Chicago, was called. Mr..
Jones is smooth-faced man of apparently
fifty years of age. A few struggling hairs
attempt to cover an almost bald surface on
the top of his head, while at the sides Is a
greater abundance of grayiSh hair. Mr..
Jones spoke clearly and distinctly in an
swering the questions that were put to him.
He defined the duties of Mr.. Machen as SUI
perintendent of the free delivery service
very much as did Mr.. Wynne, Mr. Heath
and Mr.. Johnson. The first experiment Of
the rural free delivery service was begun in
the latter part of Mr.. Jones' regime. Attor-
ney Douglass wanted the court to adjourn
until Monday before he should begin the
cross-examination of the witness District
Attorney Beach said that 1t would be
great inconvenience to Mr.. Jones, who had
been In waiting for several days. and JUS
tice Pritchard said he was willing to go
ahead. The initial test of the Croft fasten-
er was gone over in the crOss-eXamination.
Mr.. Jones characterized Mr.. Machen as a
very useful man because of his practical ex-
perience.
At 12:4S Mr.. Jones left the stand. The
jury was admonished not to discuss the
case with any one, and court was adjourned
until 10 o'clock Monday.
After the adjournment Machen and At
torney Douglass gathered about Mr.. Jones
and chatted for few minutes.
Mr. johnson Continues.
Mr.. William M. Johnson, former first
assistant postmaster general, resumed the
witness stand for cross-examination when
court opened this morning. In answer to
question asked by Attorney c. A. Douglass,
the witness said he considered Mr.. Machen
an unusually competent postal expert
1t was brought out that when Machen
made use of a rubber stamp of the witness
raJy4 H. <-4,
ed name with the initial M" to show
that Mr.. Machen was responsible for
stamping the name of the first assistant
postmaster general as signature on any Of
fetal paper.
The method of purchasing supplies, the
quantity and the fixing of the price there
for, in the free delivery bureau, while Mr..
Johnson was first assistant postmaster
general, was next discussed at length by
the witness, at the instance of counsel for
the defense. The same ground was COW
cred, substantially, during the examination
of First Assistant Postmaster General
Wynne and of Mr.. Perry S. Heath.
Heavy Work.
The rural feature of the delivery system
grew very rapidly during Mr.. Johnsons
administration of the first assistants office,
SO he testified, and Mr.. Machen devoted
great deal of time and attention to its de-
velopment. The appropriations to carry
out the work were increased yearly. Mr..
Machen was not only at the office during
the day, but often was there until late at
night. There was a great demand for the
extension of the rural free delivery system.
The witness considered Miss Liebhardt,
Machen's chief clerk. a very efficient wo-
man. He was not aware that Miss Lieb-
hardt frequently used Mr.. Machen's initials
on official papers. as suggested by counsel.
did it make any difference to you
whether Machen or Miss Liebhardt initiated
LET hat
asked Attorney Douglass.
II expected Mr. Machen to initial such
ccmmunica tons"
WAS 1t not fact that clerk in Ma
cher's Office who originated a letter or
order would initial It, to indicate the clerk 8
approval of it to Machen In the same rou-
tine way as Machen would Initial papers
that reached you" counsel next desired to
know.
II presume that was the practice through
out the department" replied Mr.. Johnson.
The witness also presumed that requsi-
tons from postmasters constituted the
basis for ordering supplies The witness
had no personal knowledge that a clerk
would prepare orders for supplies and that
the same would go to Machen for approval.
Mr.. Johnson added that he did not suppose
Mr.. Machen would approve orders for sup
plies drawn by clerks in a mere prefunc-
tory manner. The witness took the view
that all orders should have been given per-
sonal attention by Mr.. Machen.
The witness admitted that orders for sup
plies were routine in Machen's Office, ex-
cept as to quantities, and were wholly
routine in the witness office.
Initiating Signatures.
Mr.. Johnson further stated that he gave
authority for no one to sign chiefs
name, and did not think that any one in
the department would have done such a
thing for the purpose of deceiving him.
When asked If he meant to insinuate that
Miss Liebhardt had stealthily signed Ma
chens name or initials 70 papers the wit
ness replied that he had no knowledge Of
Miss Liebhardt's intentions, but he added,
she had no authority from him to initiate
Machen's signature.
Attorney Kumler asked If the witness
was acquainted with. either Mr.. or Mrs.
Lorenz, and II Machen had ever approach
ed him in reference to the purchase of
Croft fasteners. The answer was No"
The cross-examination Of Mr. Johnson
ended at this point.
On redirect examination Mr.. Johnson
was asked what proportion of the mail that
passed through Machen's hands related to
the expenditure of money. The witness
could only surmise In regard to the infor-
nation sought, SO an objection to the ques-
ton was sustained
The subject of the method Of purchasing
supplies in the free delivery division was
then gone into again. The determination of
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