The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-03-06
GROFF'S SENTENCE
SAME AS MACHEN'S
Two Years and $4,000
Fine His Punishment.
COUNSEL TAKES APPEAL
Case Now Goes to Higher District Court
and the Defendant Is Re
leased on Bail.
COUNSEL TAKES APPEAL


Friday. February 26. last. together
with his brother Diller B. Croft, Au-
gust w. Machen. and George E. Lorenz,
of conspiracy to defraud the Govern
ment. In connection with he sale of
Groff iette- box fasteners, The othc-s
named were sentenced last Saturda-.
the penalty being the same IS that im-
posed upon Samuel A. Croft.
When sentence was imposed Mr.. Mad
doS gave notice that an appeal will
be taken from the judgment 10 the
Court OF Appeals for the District. The
same bond was fixed as in the case Of
the appeal OF the other defendants.
Practically Alone.
With the exception Of his brother Dill
Ter b. Croft and his counsel. Samuel
Maddox, who were with him through
out the trying ordeal of the trial. which
extended over seven weeks the defend
ant was practically alone. lie. now
ever. had another friend present sam
uel II. Walker. his bondsman, who.
when the critical moment arrived
showed his willingness and anxiety to
stand by him to the end. When the
question OF Groff's bond cane up Mr..
Walker announced that ne would, and
later did. assume responsibility for the
whole amount. $4,000.
When the climax was reached yester-
day. Samuel a Croft bore himself with
the same dignity and soldierly bearing
as he did throughout his trial.
The proceedings were brief This was
what was expected by everyone who
was present on Friday when Justice
Pritchard 6enied Mr.. Maddox's request
TO postpone the hearing of argument on
his motion for a new trial. and in ar
rest OF Judgment in the case.
When the court convened Samuel
Maddox, counsel for the prisoner. re-
newed his plea of Friday. for a post
ponement Of the hearing on the mo-
ton for a new trial, for his client. on
the ground that very grave matters
were involved. and he asked time Of the
court TO permit him to investigate pos
sible errors of law and evidence in the
record. Under the practice, as he IN
derstood 1t. Mr.. Maddox said that the
defendant is allowed four days to file
q motion for a new trial. and that ar
gument might be heard at any time
within fifteen DAYS.
Because OF his understanding with
Mr.. Beach. he said, he was confident that
he would have had a longer time TO
prepare for the hearing He then said
positively that he was not prepared for
the argument today. and because Of the
absence Of Charles A Douglass, his as
sociate in the matter. District Attor-
ney Beach. and special counsel for the
Government. Holmes Conrad, asked that
the hearing be postponed. Continuing
Mr. Maddox said that since the case
had begun he had devoted his whole
time 70 II. to the exclusion Of other
business.
Against Any Reversal.
Justice Pritchard said that as to the
errors OF law which had been suggest
cd he had disposed of those in other
phases OF the case. and did not propose
TO reverse himself at this stage of tie
proceedings Mr.. Maddox. in reply. said
that he referred TO certain OF the in
structions to the jury. and Justice PrIt-
chard answered that those had been
ruled on when they were offered.
Continuing, the court said that he
would like to hear from counsel on amy
other grounds suggested for new trial
At this stage. Mr.. Maddox informed the
court that ne had no desire to delay
the proceedings but did want time T.
prepare for them. Had he not believed
that the agreement between himself
ard Mr.. Beach would have been con-
CURED in by the court he would have
made an effort TO be prepared yesterday.
Justice Pritchard-I would like to hear
what you have to say on the motion
70. a new trial.
Mr. Maddox-Then there will be no de-
lay?
Justice Pritchard-No sir.
Mr. Maddox-Then. as understood the
court yesterday to consider Samuel A
Groff as guilty as the others. I VIII say
81, of . 20
sentence to be imposed.
Explains Grof's Action.
Mr.. Maddox then went or TO say that
Samuel A Croft was the inventor Of the
patent letter box fastener. which had
been adopted by the Government with
great savings. Groh. he said. was in no
way Connected with the transactions
which led to the adoption and sale of
the fasteners. There was nothing 10
connect him IN any way. with any dis
Z honest transactions referred to at the
, trial. further than that he received one
FOURTH OF the profits from the sales to
the Government He also spoke OF the
ability shown by Major Conrad ia the
trial. whose argument to the jury he
said, had more 10 do with the result
than all the testimony.
AT tho conclusion OF Mr.. Maddox re-
marks Justice PrltchArd asked Mr.. Tag
aart g. Dc had anything 20 say.
Not much replied Mr. Taggart- 'As
TIE court saiG Friday tire jury IA.
no right to take into consideration the
expressions Of counsel IN arguing 9
case 10 H. s. A. Croft was fully
aware OF The arrangements made witt
Lorenz a. was Diller b. Gror. tn.
three stand upon the same footing
There ia 10 reason why any difference
should be made IN imposing sentence
SO Tar IS the due Is concerned. none OF
the defendants has any right 10 com
Justlce Prtchsrd-Let the defendant
stand up
Edr Muddo1-ff there was any agree
nent between j.. H. Gr0n and Lorenz
Samuel 4. Croft was not present whef
81 was entered into
judge PIitchard-Staud up.
The defendant then stood up and sen
fenced was imposed