Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-30
THE POSTAL TRIAL
Will Probably Be Concluded
Late Next Week.
Machen to Take Stand, Tuesday
Other Defendants to Follow.
Much Controversy Over Admission OF
Testimony, Friday.

Washington, Jan. 29.-The third week
of the postal trial closed. today anu 'ne
indication are now that the case VIII
20 to the jury about the emu vi heA'
week. August w. Machen. the former
general superintendent OF the 4t"e de-
livery system. probably VIII TAI
stand, Tuesday, and the present liiteH-
,,on ia for the other defendants, DR..
and Mrs. George f. LorenZ ana Diner
Il. and Samuel A. Croft, also 10 testi-
fy, though this plan may not be carried
out.
The defence, today, sought to show
by Miss Ina S. Leibhardt, for some
wars chief clerk Of the free delivery
system, and by other witnesses. that
the orders for the Croft fasteners We're
sent out in the ordinary official routine
and that IT was impossible for a chiet
of the bureau with a multiplicity of de-
tails such as are attached to herapidly
growing free rural delivery service to
give personal attention to all the mail
and other official matters.
There was considerable controversy
over the admission of testimony of Dbl
Ter r. Croft, regarding what he knew
Of the transactions between his father,
one of the defendants, and Dr. LorenZ
and objections to part of his testimony
caused withdrawal of some of the
questions as to the early history OF the
fasteners until Monday.
When the trial of the post office cases
was resumed, the examination OF MISS
Ina I.lebhardt, chief clerk of the free
delivery service, who was on the stand,
Yesterday was continued. She testified
that Machen during most of his term.
was in consultation and close touch
with the first assistant postmaster gen.
eral that Postmaster General smith
once gave directions for Machen TO re-
port direct to him. 1t was usual. ne tes-
tifid to grant tests to persons who had
potented devices which they wanted
to have tested by the government.
ORDERS she added, have been given by
telephone and by pencil memoranda IN
other matters than the Croft fasteners.
Mr.. Douglass offered in evidence q
number Of blank forms, letters ana
other documents bearing on the Grol
fasteners. He said they We're to snow
the methods and the basis by which the
number of letter boxes and fasteners
were determined by the various routes.
District Attorney Beach objected The
cour. overruled the objection and adj
mitted the evidence.
Miss L.iebhardt testified she had nev-
or seen Diller Il. Croft, but she had seen
Samuel A Croft at the department
Machen, she said. had dictated to her
letters to Lorenz. but he always signed
these. Witness was asked if she was
the only chief clerk who signed the ini-
tials of the chief of the bureau. Sht
said she thought not.
Attorneys Maddox and Douglass took
the stand in succession. Mr.. Maddox
corroborated by Mr.. Douglass. testi-
fled that he went to the post office de-
partment, last October. as counsel foi
the Croft Bros. to inspect papers in
the case: that Inspector May"r handed
him the Croft statement of which H.
discovered the letter ~ of the word
Machen had been erased. MIR. Maddox
said he would show the Significance
OF his discovery later.
Diller f. Croft. son Of Dilfer Il
Croft. testified regarding what he had
done as clerk for the Croft Brothers,
while they had the letter box fastener
contract. His testimony was intended
to bring out the arrangements made
between his father and Lorenz. to
show that the fasteners We're installed
In Washington before Croft knew
I.orenz. and others matters. The gov
eminent ordered that much of tho 'es-
timony was irrevelant.
The witness testified that he first heard
of Lorenz in July, 1891. He said he MAS
present at = meeting between his father.
uncle and Lorenz. and when offered $500
and his services in getting a market for a
half interest in the fasteners. This was
assented to later in the day. Lorenz lat
cr in the autumn sent the draft of ar
agreement to the Groffs who the witness
said, did rot sign it because he wanted
half interest in the whole patent. the
original intention of the Groffs being tc
give half interest in the fasteners used
on letter boxes.
An agreement proposed between tho
Groffs and I.orenZ. but undated and never
signed by them. was read but not ad,
mitted in evidence. though n number OF
letters that passed between them on the
subject were admitted. Croft also identi-
fled Il number of checks sent by the
GroffS To I4orenZ. endorsed by the latter
and in many cases also endorsed by Mrs
Martha J. l.orenz, in 1896 and subsequent
years. These We're admitted.
Mr.. Croft admitted that he conducted
the business of the Croft Brothers with
the post Office department. that in his
rrst calls at the department to ascertain
why payment OF tneiT DlliS was ueidHeu
he first saw Thomas b. Marche. who was
then the chief clerk of the free delivery
office. and that later he usually called on
Thomas w. McGregor. who then was in
charge of the supplies of that office. He
admitted having called several times on
Machen but said he merely asked him
about the bills.
Mr.. Croft testified that the first order
for the Croft fasteners was in the form
of memorandum, addressed to Groh
Brothers. and signed by MIR. Marche.
The court adjourned until Monday
with Mr. Croft still on the stand.