Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-01
p1LLER F. CROFT ON STAND.
Resumes His Testimony for the De-
Tense in Post Office Trial.

D;,,er r Croft, son of Diller Is. Groif'
- ,,as nnder examination at the hour of
adjournment last Friday, resumed tiio
stand this morning. He repeated por'ioii
of his testimony-that relating to his WISH
to Machen when the latter announced 'hat
the price of the Croft fastener must De re-
duced from $50 to 1925
Young Mr. Croft, continuing, said that
Nav p last he was at his fathers house.
11O7 T street. where the witness also re-
sided. Looking out of a window, the wit
ness saw his father, his uncle ana seVerai
other men approaching the house. Know
ing of the visit of the inspectors there 'lle
nreceding month, the witness listened at
the head of a stairway and overheard por-
lions of the conversation that occurred III
his fathers office.
casion in question he distinctly heard In
spector MAYER urge Diller B. Gron TO come
over TO the governments side, ana 10
get in the government band wagon In
spector Mayer, according TO the "l,ness,
also promised to see that the Gron brothers
should get immunity; should be paid Slo,OoO
owed them by the government, ana that
the statement signed in April by u. b.
Croft should be returned to him II he
would come over to the government side.
MY father" declared Dtller F. Gror,
turned down the propositions f1at-footed
The witness added that he heard Inspec-
tor Mayer say something about his father
having served in the army during the civil
war. Diller G. Croft was a very sick man
May q, said his son, and from his CONVEX
sation that morning 1t was evident that he
was not himself.
After Diller F. Croft had been asked re-
garding the first business meeting of the
Croft brothers with Lorenz, and as to the
first time he heard of Machen. he was
placed at the disposal of United States Al
tOrney Beach for croSS-examination.
Under DISCRIMINATION.
Mr. Beach derived information to the eff
feet that Diller F. Gron is engaged in the
wholesale wall paper business. acts as col
lector for his father, and also served as
clerk for Croft brothers in the fastener
business. The object of the United States
attorney seemed to be to show that the du-
ties of the witness as clerk to Croft broth
ers were by no means onerous. The WIT
ness admitted that he could now produce
only one letter relating to the fastener
business. although he has been the clerk
and looked after most of the transactions
from 1897 to 1903.
Mr. Croft" inquired Mr.. Beach. do you
mean to say that from 1897 to 1888 during
which time you transmitted more than S3o,
600 to George E. Lorenz you never received
a receipt, an acknowledgment or a lette!
from LorenZ?
II do not recall receiving any," was the
reply.
The witness USCldTeu lEdt ne was no'
aware that Mr.. Lorenz was acquainted with
Mr. Machen until several years ago. He
heard casually that such an occurrence
existed but II made no impression on him
Diller F. Croft was cross-examined a,
length in reference TO the first meeting OF
Diller b. Gron and George f. Lorenz, and
of the offer made by Lorenz at that time
for half interest in the fastener.
when did Mr.. Lorenz make payment OF
the $500 for his half interest in the fas-
tener?' demanded Mr.. Beach.
II do not know" was the answer.
why. you were your fathers shadow,
persisted Mr.. Beach: you were his clerk
and attended to the fastener business fol
him. Now, MIR. Grof, was that $500 evel
paid?"
young Mr.. Croft.
The United States attorney next wanted
to know why Diller +. Croft happened t
be at home about 1890 o'clock the morning
Of May q, and not at his place of business
at 9th and H streets. The reply was tina
the witness went home to get his banl
book.
do you keep your bank book in your bee
room queried the prosecuting attorney.
Sometimes said young Mr. Croft.
The witness was asked to produce Tho
stubs from which certain checks offered II
evidence had been taken. but he said thai
the stub books had been destroyed.
Diller F. Gron repeated that il was the
custom Of his father and OF himself to de
stroy all papers relating to transaction
Aitef tne SAME was cioseu NO account wal
kept of the number of Croft fasteners tina
were sold.
United States Attorney Beach, from hi.
hne of cross examination, evidently though
It strange that Immediately after the Grof
brothers had received an order for a larg,
number of fasteners they should have mad,
an agreement to pay 80 per cent of the pro
ceeds from the future sale OF fasteners to
stranger.
Interest Of Samuel A. Croft.
'Hnv rnnnh ala your uncle, Samuel A