Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-05
A SECRET CONFERENCE
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ton. which was conducted by Assistant At
torney General Purdy.
On cross-examination late yesterday af-
ternoon Mr. Lorenz stated that he said to
the inspectors who called to see him at To-
ledo last spring that Machen was a friend
of his. and therefore he declined to answer
their questions until he should be called
upon to testify at a proper proceeding
1t was developed that no other members
of the oil and refining companies were paid
anything in connection with the closing mp
of the affairs of the companies, except
August w. Machen. to whom Mr.. Lorehz
gave his promissory note for S2o,op.
First Meeting With the Groffs.
Mr. Purdy this morning made further in
oldries regarding the first meeting of Mr.
Lorenz with the Groffs. The witness SAID
he did not mention to the Groffs that he
was acquainted with Machen, although he
was aware that Machen was the superin-
tendent of the free delivery division of the
Post Office Department. and had authority
in the matter of the purchase of supplies
After a number of unimportant questions,
Mr.. Purdy asked. bluntly:
Now, Mr.. LoTenZ isn't 1t fact that Ma
chen sent you to see the Grofs?
NO, sir decidedly not, replied Mr.
Iorenz. angrily. II never would have done
anything IndI SOtt NJ
that you can make
Don't get excited" Mr.. Purdy inter
rupted II simply ask the question.
I'm not excited declared Mr.. LorenZ
The inquiry was then directed to the
verbal agreement entered into by Lorenz
and the Groffs. Mr.. Lorenz paid 500
down on account of the $500 he was to give
for half interest in the profits to be de-
rived from the sale of the fastener
The lake trip taken in August, 1880, by a
party Of which Lorenz and Machen were
members was touched upon.
Mr.. Lorenz repeated, in part, what ne
said yesterday, to the effect that Machen
informed him that the Croft fasteners
would be introduced throughout the cotIn-
try Just as rapidly as the approprlat atoms
would permit
The Mutilated Letter.
The now famous mutilated letter, ad-
dressed TO Lorenz and signed IS A. Croft,
and relating to an agreement between the
Groffs and Lorenz in regard to the sale of
the fasteners. was again discussed. The
copies of the agreement referred to In the
letter. Mr.. Lorenz once more asserted.
could not be found. In reply to queries the
witness went over the details of the throw
ing away of the letter and the recovery of
the pieces two DAYS later.
Mr. Purdy could not understand why, at
the time. Mr.. Lorenz considered the letter
of sufficient Importance to search for the
pieces when he did not think the signing
of an agreement with the Groffs was OF
Importance Counsel pressed the witness
a great length for an explanation. but
failed to secure one satisfactory to the
government
Don't you know that the Groffs could
have repudiated that verbal agreement at
any time? asked Mr. Purdy.
Il never thought of that" answered Mr..
Lorenz. They were fulfilling their part of
the agreement"
And what were you doingg' demanded
Mr.. Purdy.
"When?'' Mr.. Lorenz wanted to know.
'In 1885,
Nothing" admitted Mr. Lorenz He
added that he explained to Mr.. Croft what
he had learned from Machen during the
lake trip. and Mr.. Croft was willing TO let
the matter drift along for while. The
witness did not mention Machen's name
TO Mr.. Croft. but told him that his Informa-
lion as to the fasteners being Installed as
rapidly as the appropriation would permit
from the department"
Mr. Croft mas paid you $4,000, in return
for which you have done absolutely moth
ing" commented Mr. Purdy
You can hardly put it that way" said
Mr.. Lorenz II was taking chances / paid
$500 for an untried device"
But you learned from Mr. Machen on
that lake trip added Mr.. Purdy, that the
fastener had been adopted by the depart-
ment and that the order for fasteners with
which to equip the letter boxes of this city
had been given prior to the date of your
agreement with the Groffs.
Inc SSo,OUO Note.
MIR. Purdy next endeavored 10 show the
improbability of Mr.. Lorenz having given
to Machen the $1,000 note during the
panicky times of 1Sa3.'' when the defense
contends. IL was executed.
The witness was cross-examired In ref
eIence to an account book from which he
read yesterday. In this book the witness
had entered all his payments to Machen on
account OF the settlement of the indebted
ness of S25o0t
Did you ever send Machen money de-
rived by you from other sources than your
share of the PROFITS from the sale OF Ci.of
fasteners%' Mir. Purdy asked.
Yes" was the reply. II RENTED to him
from Tly general bank account"
MI PCrdy FASTENED TO call attention to
the fact that about the time Mr. Lorenz re-
cefVed check from Uiiier 3 Croft for
5000, he also received check from Bowl
ing Green, Ky. for site, or account of
the sale of farm.
Why didn't you remit &c Machen the pro-
eeeds Of the Bowling Green check instead
OF one-half o. the proceeds of the check
from GrofTT counsel inquired.
Because $1,000 is $1,000" replied Mr.
Croft. ut made no difference from which
check the money was taken.
Now, MIR. Lorenz." persisted Mr. Purdy,
did you also remit to Machen one-half of
the amount of the Bowling Green check
taking Ii from your general bank account %