The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-19

Washington, January 1s.-In the trial of August ". Machen, the Gon Bros, and Dr. and Mrs. Lorenzo. charged with conspiracy to defraud the government the prosecution. introduced number of witnesses to prove the relations of Ma chen with the Lorenzo and the Groff Bros.
 During the day Justice Pritchard show ed disposition in arguments on admis- sability of evidence not to tolerate un- necessary delay in the progress of the case.
 Several working models were on exhi- bition and frequently were described to the jury. On cross examination MT. Bell said that he had suggested to Samuel A. Groff that the only way to have the fasteners introduced was for Groff to see or write Machen about it. The fasteners had been adopted he said, and rut in use without any report from him tBelD all though had such a report been made it would have emanated from him inasmuch as the fastener was first tried in Wash ington.
 Charles Boss, file clerk of the free de- livery system, was called and identified certain record books of hls office. after hardt, former stenographer and chief clerk, took the stand
 Miss Liebhardt on the Stand.
 Asked by MT Taggart to state under what circumstances she had placed an endorsement on a certain letter which was handed her. she replied that she could not recall the particular case but that she was in the habit of ''briefing" letters. She was shown a number of press copies of letters to Groff Bros and identified Machens signature attached thereto.
 The question of the admlssability of certain evidence was again raised by counsel for the defense. MT. Taggart stated that the evidence was intended to show direct intercourse between Samuel A. Croft and Machen with respect to the fastener. It was admitted subject to a formal objection by the defense, which will be urged tomorrow.
 Continuing her testimony, Miss Lieb- erhardt said she had seen pr. Lorenz In Macnen's office several times.
 On cross examination by MT. Douglass,
 
 occasions of Dr. Lorenz's calls on Ma chen Gin his offce), she was present and heard nothing regarding letter box fas- teners.
 Miller Knew Machen. John D. Miller testified to knowing Machen and Samuel A. Groff. As an in- ventor of street letter boxes and fasten- CTS he said he had called on Machen at the time bids were opened in 1897. Wit ness said the clamp, however, related solely to letter boxes, but that incidental ly he called Machen's attention to his fastener. which Machen had pronounced good
 He said that Machen had encouraged him about it. Witness also said that no mention was made about the price of tho fastener, that in 1901 he submitted bid for a box and fastener. At the opening of bids in 1897 MT. Miller said he met Samuel A. Groff, who informed him that his fastener was infringement on the Groff fastener and, therefore, 1t could not be used
 Later the witness said Machen told him in reply to an inquiry why the govern ment would not open bids for fasteners that thel were not enough bought to pay the witness for fooling with them. On cross-examlnation by MT. Douglass the witness admitted that when he sub Tnitted a bid on the fastener he had never requested a test to be made of 1t. The Groff fastener then was in use and he said Machen might have stated to him. although he could not remember. that it was not advisable to have two styles of fasteners in use at the same time.
 John F. Clark of Washington. D. G. a letter carrier, testified that a test of the Grof Fastener was made in front of the city postoffice at which, in addition to imselg, Groff, Machen and several others were present
 At this test the witness said the fast ener failed to work properly. whereupon he heard Maehen say to Croft that if it stuck like that he would not recommend It's adoption. The witness said Groff re- piled that the fastener was handmade but that if he got the contract he would make the fastener larger and that 1t would work all right