Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-28
Second Stage Of Post Office
Case Reached.
ARGUM MENTS TODAY
WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM THE
WITNESSES TO COME.
Counsel Explain Money Transactions
Between Machen and Lorenz-
Paying an Old Debt.

August W. Machen. Diller B. Croft and
his brother, Samuel A. Croft; George E.
Lorenz and his wife, Mrs. Martha j. Lo-
REM today began the task of shattering
the proof produced by the government and
of proving their innocence of the charge OF
conspirng to defraud the United States in
connection with the sale of Croft letter-boX
fasteners.
In court room crowded to the walls
counsel representing each of the defendants
occupied almost the entire morning session
eloquently explaining the connection of the
accused with the transaction. There exists
no ground for suspicion of guilt against any
one of the defendants, counsel asserted and
that fact ii was promised would be estab-
lished to the entire satisfaction of the jury.
According to the defendants, George K.
LOrenZ first appeared on the fastener scene
one day when the fastener was on exhibit
ton at the city post office, this city, then
located in the Union building, on street.
Mr.. Lorenz learned that Samuel A. Croft
was the inventor of the fastener, and,
therefore, Mr.. LOrenZ introduced himself
to Mr.. Croft. Mr.. LorenZ explained that
he was interested in such things and would
like to have share in the invention. After
making inquiries regarding the standing
of Mr.. Lorenz. the inventor introduced
him to Dller B. Croft. After much par
leying 1t was agreed that If Mr.. Lorenz
should succeed in inducing the Post Office
be paid one-half the profits derived from
the sale thereof. Mr.. Lorenz. by entirely
legitimate means, counsel said, succeeded
in having the fastener adopted. The price
paid by the government at first was Sloo
for each complete fastener, of which
amount Lorenz received 6212 cents. Later
the price was reduced to S1.23. of which
LOrenZ was paid 80 centS-which by chance,
counsel said, happened to be 40 per cent of
the amount paid by the government for the
fastener.
Machen's Part
Machen 1t was pointed out to the jury,
did not figure in the fastener transaction
until the year 1899, when he sent for the
Groffs and said to representative ot the
firm, who called in response to his sum
mons, that the price of the fastener would
have to be reduced to S1.25. Such redUc-
ton must be made, said Mr. .Machen, for
the reason that thereafter the fasteners
would be paid for promptly and 1t would
not be necessary to wait for acquisitions
from postmasters for the same, for each
box sent out would be equipped with the
fastener.
AS regards the sending of moIey by Lo
REM to Machen, counsel explained that in
1855 Lorenz. Machen and two others pur-
chased land in the oil fields of Ohio. Al
great cost they erected tank and estab-
lished a refinery. The Standard Oil Com
pany then crushed them by selling refined
Oil at the lowest price at which they could
afford TO sell crude oil. They owed bank
nection with the tank and the refinery.
Mechanics liens were filed and judgments
entered.
Lorenz sold real estate that he owned and
realized on other assets, and attempted to
discharge much of the indebtedness as
possible. He offered Machen $500 for the
latter's interest in the refinery, and Machen
accepted The remittances from Lorenz to
Machen. shown by the government. were
on account of this debt.
Mrs. Lorenz, according to her attorney,
had absolutely no connection with any of
the matters at issue, and counsel express
ed surprise that she had been indicted.
Several of the governments witnesses
were impeached, the statements of certain
of the post office inspectors, in particular,
being questioned.
Today's Incidents.
Attorney Kumler announced that, barring
unusual cross-examinat ton of witnesses by
the government, the defense would pre-
sent It's case in three days. Justice Pritch-
ard gave notice that he will hold court next
Saturday. Last week an adjournment was
taken over Saturday.
After the government this morning had
formally announced the close of it's case in
chief the defense moved that certain por-
tions of the governments testimony be
stricken out. The same motion had been
made from time to time while the govern
ments case was being presented. The mo-
ton was overruled.
Attorney kumler requested the govern
ments attorneys to exchange seats with
counsel for the defense, in order that the
defendants attorneys could be nearer the
witness stand.
THAT request is an unusual one," re-
marked United States Attorney Beach, but
we Will cheerfully accede to the wishes o..
the gentlemen"
That's a real good beginning" com
mented Justice Pritchard. hopefully. Il
trust you will keep 1t up
"As soon take the lead" added At
torney Douglass, smiling, peace always
reigns
Proceed gentlemen" direc ed the court
Attorney Maddox was the first to ad-
dress the jury. His voice continues weak
and at times he could not be heard DIS
tinctly at a distance greater than few
feet from the jury. Attorney Kumler. the
next speaker. experienced no difficulty In
making himself heard.
Attorney Syme. the last to address the
jury. spoke at length for the first time
since the opening day of the trial.
Everybody within hearing listened atten-
lively to the addresses of counsel and par
ticularly so did counsel for the government
and Post Office Inspector Mayer. Mr..
Beach and Mr. Mayer frequently took
notes.
Psthos was added to the scene when Mrs.
I.orenz gave way to tears while Attorney
Kumler was informing the jury that she
had been scandalized. and that absolutely
no reason existed for having indicted her.
II was the very first display of emotion
since the beginning of the hearing. Mrs.
Lorenz accompanied by Mrs Phillips.
Machen's sister Immediately left the court
room.
While Attorney Syme was detailing the
excellent work that had been performed by
Machen the latter sat in a chair beside his
wife. also for the first time since the open
ing of the trial HIS knees were crossed
his eyes downcast and the foot that was of
the ground and his hands moved nervously
The audience included number of wo-
men.
One of the post Office inspectors remark
ed during the recess that the jury. in order
to believe the story of the defense, would
have to disbelieve the statements OF all the
witnesses who had appeared for the gov
ernment.
Sheep and Goats.
During the afternoon United States At
torney Beach requested Attorney Douglass
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