The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-31
CONNERSVILLE WOMAN
WHO WAS STAR WITNESS
IN POSTAL FRAUD TRIAL
Miss Ina Leibhardt's Testimony
Given Without a Trace Of
Nervousness.
TRUSTED CHIEF CLERK
Who Had Charge of A. w. Ma
chen's Work During His Alb
Sence from Office.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 3O.-One of the most
interesting witnesses that has appeared on
the stand in the Machen conspiracy trial is
Miss Ina Liebhardt, who was chief clerk
under the former superintendent OF free
delivery. Miss Liebhardt is an Indiana girl.
She is the daughter of Captain David p.
Liebhardt, of COnnersville, chief of the
Dead Letter Office. Miss Liebhardt is re-
markable young woman. Next TO Machen
she probably knows more about city and
rural free delivery than any ether official
OF the department She is recognized as
woman or fine executive ability. She fire.
quently acted as head of the bureau III the
absence of Machen, signed the official mail,
Issued all orders conferred with subchlefS,
and performed these duties in such bust
ness-llke manner as TO win the commenda-
ton of officials higher in authority than
Machen
Miss Liebhardt is of German extraction
and has the phlegmatic temperament OF
that race. She is cool, calm and collected
at all times. On the stand she proved an
admirable witness. She gave her testimony
without the slightest indication of nervous
ness. She was called by the prosecution to
testify concerning the routine of the Of
flee. 1t was developed that she initiated
large part OF the mail originating in the
Free Delivery Bureau, and that this prac
tice was continued until ii was stopped by
a formal order issued by the first assistant
postmaster general. Miss Liebhardt has
been in the postal service several years.
She receives a salary of $1,S0O a year. On
account of her familiarity with the work
she has been continued at the same desk
in the Free Delivery Bureau that she held
under Machen.
The star personality in the conspiracy trial
now going on here is Machen. who is con-
stantly present in the courtroom, coaching
counsel for the defense, pointing out the
weak spots in the testimony offered by the
witnesses for the prosecution and manifest
ing at all times the liVeliest interest in the
proceedings. Machen is a man of iron nerve.
He expresses confidence that he will be ac-
quilted. Only once during the past year has
he collapsed That was on the day Of his
arrest, in the office of the United States
commissioner before whom he was taken to
arrange bond. Then it was that Machen
broke down completely. He soon regained
his cOmpOsure, however, and has since re-
peatedly stated TO his friends that he had no
apprehension as to the outcome.
Judge Kumler, of Toledo, counsel for the
Lorenzes, is one of the best known criminal
lawyers in Ohio. He is a first cousin of Rep
resentatives Charles b. and Frederick Lam
dis, of Indiana. Judge Kumler is lawyer
of the old-fashioned type with a strong
face. bearing a striking resemblance to
Charles Lands.
During the course of the postoffice investi-
CATION Capt David 2. Liebhardt of Con-
Office, was frequently listed in newspaper
gossip as one of the officials who would be
removed. His bureau was thoroughly inves-
tigated The results have not been made
public but as no action has been taken it is
assumed that nothing was disclosed i'm any
way affecting the official conduct or integ
rity of Captain Liebhardt. Captain Lieb
hardt has been connected with the Dead Let
ter Office for many years. His present APP
pointment dates from 1897. He first
given the place by President Harrison, but
moved and the place taken by Democrat.
j. e. NJ.