Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-19
STARTLING CHARGE

CONTINUED from First Page.)
tinued, 1.-THE Groffs had perfect right I'M
der the statutes to place this fasterenr on
the market at any price. 1t was not con-
spiracy and there has been nothing In tie
way of testimony adduced here that would
suggest a conspiracy.
Attorney E. Scott Douglass. who hereto
fore in the trial has been present in an ad-
visory capacity. argued against the admis-
sion of the testimony to the cost of
manufacture of the fasteners. He read
from decisions and talked fiuently in behalf
of his contention. He possesses many or
the characteristics OF his brother.
In the Audience.
Mrs Lorenz appeared today in a black hat
which protruded far in front The most
striking feature of it was a white feather.
a finely woven black veil partially hid her
face from view Mrs. Phillips sat near
her. There were not half a dozen other
women in the courtroom
At one time during the forenoon. when
counsel were discussing the question OF ad-
mission of certain testimony, the jurymen
were retired. They spent fully half an hour
In the corridors. They chatted among
themselves and seemed greatly pleased at
the respite from listening to the proceed
inEs.
Many seats were vacant at the afternoon
session.
Croft Bank Account.
There was a clash between Judge Kum-
ler-ard District Attorney Beach this after
noon soon after Mr.. John c. Eckloff, cash
Ter of the Second National Bank, was called
to the stand Check vouchers were pro-
duced Court officers had brought into
court A number of huge record books of the
bank.
Judge kumler made glowing address
in which he declared that the action of the
Lorenzes were an open book.
Counsel for defense are gallant pelofe
the Jury" said MIR. Beach.
You ought not to say that Judge Kun
Ter retorted. ~,
I'VE are trying to prove our CASE MI
Beach persisted
You are having too much trouble sad
Justice Pritchard. L wish you might get
together"
Mr.. Holmes Conrad, who has been i'll for
several days, came into the court room d
little after = O'Clock.
He shook hands with Mr.. Beach ana
other members of the counsel for the gov
eminent and explained that he had le1t
his room against the advice of his physl-
clan Judge KumIer and Attorney Doug
lass of counsel for deiense, grasped MS
hand and expressed their gratihcat1on at
his return
while Mr. Eckloof's examination was
being conducted District Attorney Beach
followed closely a big chart when gave
In detail the debts and credits or Dlller
r. Cirof's account in the Second National
Bank
A Little Breeze.
When court opened this morning the d.
rect examination of John +. Clark, the let
ter carrier who took the stand shortly be-
fore adjournment yesterday afternoon, was
resumed The witness said he was assigned
to accompany workmen engaged In chang
ing the old-style fasteners for the Grofr
fasteners on lamp posts. The duty of the
witness was to take charge of any mail IN
the boxes opened for the workmen. Dur
ing two months in 1895 the witness was
engaged in the manner indicated. The
same year, according To Mr.. Clark, he was
summoned by the superintendent of free
delivery and was asked if he wanted to go
to Baltimore. The witness replied in the
affirmative. and subsequently collected mail
In that city as lac had done here.
Justice Pritchard inquired what the fore
going line of examination had to do with
the issue ON trial. and Assistant United
States Attorney Taggart explained that the
government desired to show that Machen
was personally interested in the Croft
fastener and personally superintendent the
installation of the same On the ground
stated the testimony was admitted.
Continuing. the witness detailed that he
was later sent to New York, Detroit, Bal
tirrore, Jersey City, Buffalo, Toledo, st.
Louis ard Richmond. Mr.. Clark identified
q number of letters received by him from
Machen. The defense objected to these
letters. saying they were purely of rou-
Justice Pritchard remarked that one of
the contentious of the defense seemed to
be that Mr. Machen signed the orders for
fasteners in routine manner.
Attorney Douglass admitted that such
was one of the main contentious of the de-
Tense.
A question arose regarding the similarity
OF the signatures attached to the several
letters, which inspired Assistant United
States Attorney Taggart to say:
lit seems 10 be the object of the defense
to keep government evidence out, but to
get the use of IL as q basis for croSS-eX-
animation"
Attorney Douglass protested against the
insinuation advanced by MIR. Taggart
''The conduct of counsel is not at ISSUE
suggested Justice Pritcharo.
But we ought to be permitted to make
denial of Mr.. Taggart's assertion" per-
sisted Attorney Douglass.
Proceed. gentlemen" directed the
court.
The letters were admitted in evidence.
and were read to the jury. They con-
tanned Instructions from Machen to Clark
while the latter was in the cities men,
toned. and also related TO the pay of the
witness
on cross-examination the witness said
that he was not skilled mechanic. The
letters that had been referred to were
not out of the ordinary. The remainder
OF the examination was unimportant
Two Witnesses.
The next witness was Walter a. Smith
superintendent of. city delivery, Brook
Ivn. N. Y Mr.. Smith stated that while
in this city In 1897 he was shown by Mr..
Machen a Croft fastener. and considered
n a good thing. The witness identified
a letter dated March 18, 1896, which was