Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-22
THE MANY ARGUMENTS
CROFT FASTENERS SENT TO
CITIES WITHOUT REQUIs1TIoNs.
Inspectors Reply to Charge of Coaching
Witnesses-Mr. Maddox Bid
for Business.

and Kumler of counsel for the defense, II
was evident that the question of admission
ss;f the transcript of August w. Machen
account in the Union National Bank oi
Westminster. Md, would be brought up
today.
Justice Pritchard was feeling indisposeo
this morning and he did not convene court
until nearly quarter after II O'Clock
Attorney Samuel Maddox representing
the defendants Croft brothers, at once
sought the attention of the court.
81 have read over the proceedings of yes
terday." he said, land it is little short OF
astounding, the proposition made py the
special counsel for government as to MT
Machen. / want to make sugsesuoli
from the standpoint of the Groffs.
Mr. Maddoxs voice could hardly De heaIu
He is suffering from an attack Of laryngltls:
He read from the typewriter report OF
yesterdays proceedings that part OF MI
Conrad's remarks in which the latter stated
that Machen, as government clerk on
salary of 81 500 a year. made more than
$4,000 a year.
Mr.. Maddox's Argument.
Mr.. Maddox declared that Cashier Herring
of the Union National Bank of Westmln-
ster Md had testified as to the deposits or
Machen. and that 1t was not necessary for
corroboration by the placing in evidence or
the transcript of Machen's entire account
in the bank
But special counsel for the government"
Mr.. Maddox continued goaded TO frank
ness and in fiery burst of eloquence suS-
gestiye of a Fourth of July Grafton, seeks
to use something that Is not germane to
this trial. Forgetful of all propriety he
turns upon Machen and calls him CLERK
this man who has done more to upbu1ld the
rural free delivery than any other man In
the country. aye, any one hundred men,
Looking down upon Mr.. Conrad, who sat
stoically in his chair and listened attentive
a, w. Mr. Maddox raised his voice as best he
could and asked:
ION what meat is this our Caesar fed
that he is grown so great
"Why, IL is not fair" Mr.. Maddox con-
tinued. THE Groffs are here TO answer to
the specific charge of conspiracy in the
matter of the sale of fasteners. They have
pleaded not guilty. The dealings of Machen,
either in public or private, have nothing to
do with the GroffS.
Defense's Motion.
Judge Kumler. representing the Lorenzes,
addressed the court when Mr.. Maddox had
finished.
81 desire to make motion" he said II
ask that everything stated by Mr.. Conrad
regarding Mr.. Machen yesterday be ex-
plunged from the records"
II can't grant it, Justice Pritchard re-
Piled
II only desire to make the motion" Judge
kumIer added.
"You have a right to make the notion
said Justice Pritchard. II will admit the
transcript. explaining TO the jury that only
those items relating to the transactions of
Machen with the other defendants are to
be considered
Justice Pritchard leaned forward and,
addressing the jury. continued:
"1f any improper statement has been
made by counsel you will not consider it.
Proceed with the case.
Mr. Douglass Argues.
Mr.. Douglass, representing Machen, ad-
dressed the court.
"Your honor" he said, Il want to make
@ motion for expanging from the records
the reference of Mr.. Conrad to the bank
account OF Mr.. Machen. You must see,
your honor, that the statement has gone
out, has been played up in the headlines
of the newspapers. that Mr.. Machen was
making $4,000 year 1 want that ex-
plunged on the ground that the counsel
had no right to make the statement in the
presence of the jury. My friend was not
warranted by any evidence adduced here to
make the statement. The bank ledger it
self warranted no such statement"
Statement Withdrawn.
Mr.. Conrad addressed the court. lie
said:
'It is due to myself that shall offer no
explanation; no apology for what said. 1
think If you will look at the records there
you will find that, after MIR. Taggart had
stated the argument on which he asked
for the introduction of this transcript, my
friend said that the transcript would be
used for no other purpose at all.
Il had never examined it especially, bat
on looking ii over l saw what appe red on
it's face. and l made the statement / did
don't think l should have m Ade that state
ment on reflection. l would not convict
these men on any statement IN the world
that fell unguaIdedly from me.
But to relieve myself of the faintest sus-
plcion, l ask 10 withdraw the statement
made and i ask your honor not to regard
for one moment the statement / made here
as being intended for the jury in any sense
of the word"
Justice Pritchard replied:
II have refused to s:r-ke il from the rec
ord, tu. IL you wish to Withdraw il you car
do So
Scenes in Court.
First Assistant Postma ster General Rob.
ert j. Wynne was recalled this forenoon
but was excused with the understanding G
that the defense might desire him for re
cross ss-exarnination later in the trial.
Soon after Mr. ]. T. Smith. superintend-
ent of delivery in the Brooklyn post of
fee was called there temporary
delay In this examination. Mr. TaGgart
and District Attorney Beach were con-
ferring. Justice Pritchard turned to coun-
sci for government and asked:
do you know whether the witness has
any conscientious scruples TO takli.
an oath In the ordinary way?"
Mr.. Beach seemed TO be taken una
wares.
Mr. Smith arose in the box and said III
had no scruples. The Bible was placed IL
his hand and the oath administered.
Mr. Charles H. Rohb. assistant attorney
general of the United States for the Pos
Office Department was in the court room
thls forenoon previous to the conyenins
of the court He was accompanied by Mr.
Rose United States attorney at Baltimore
They had a conference with Mr.. Taggar
and departed before Justice Pritchard tool
his place on the benchs
Case of Inspectors.
Assistant Attorney General Purdy this
afternoon submitted affdavits in answer te
(Continued on Sixth Page.)