Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-09
MAcHEN TEsT|F|ES
Chief Defendent on Stand in
Post Office Case.
THE LORENZ NOT E
EXPLAINS HIS RELATIONS WITH
CROFT FASTENER IN DETAIL.
How He Conducted His Office and His
Dealings in Oil Prop
erty.

August W. Machen was called as a Wit
ness in his own behalf and for his eo-de-
PENDANTS this morning in the Post once
Department conspiracy trial. He remained
on the stand throughout the remainder OF
the session today. His recital had been
awaited with great interest and expectancy,
especially by those who are following the
proceedings closely The throng that had
possession Of the entire seating accommO
cations Of Criminal Court No. l today fol-
lowed Machen's testimony closely. Quiet
to an unusual degree prevailed. Not once
did Justice Pritchard direct: 'Mr. Marshal,
we must have better order" nor did the
criers rap for quiet, as they have been In
the habit of doing at intervals throughout
the progress of the hearing. Counsel for
the government were evidently imbued with
the spirit of the occasion, for they per-
mitted the man who is regarded as the chief
defendant in the case to tell his story With
out entering objection or interrupting
Attorney Holmes Conrad occupied a
chair in an elevated position and listened
closely to all that Machen said, taking
notes almost constantly. Mr. Conrad ID
to make the closing address to the jury on
behalf Of the government. Assistant At
torney General Purdy, who Is to open for
the government, also noted particularly
many Of the utterances of the witness
Mrs Machen, the latter's wife, however,
evinced the keenest interest in the exam
ination. She leaned forward in her chair
and drank in every word that was spoken
Machen testified at great length. He be-
gan by giving his name his age and the
place of his birth. He told of his early
life of the years he spent in college. and
then of his appointment to a position In
the Toledo, Ohio, post office and of his
subsequent promotion to be assistant SUI
perintendent under George E. Lorenz. Con-
unuing, Machen detailed his oil ventures
with LorenZ, of Lorenz buying out his in
terests and giving the promissory note for
$4,000 therefor; of the payment made on
the note and the settlement thereof last
December.
Next Machen explained about his ap-
pointment as the head of the free delivery
division of the Post Office Department. He
recited how the system had grown under
his direction. In this connection he made
the important announcement that he al
ways has and does now hold himself re-
Spons1ble for every paper to which his chief
clerk, Miss Liebhardt attached his initials
or signature.
Machen made plain how inventors of de-
vices intended for the postal service were
encouraged. He told when he first saw the
Croft fastener. sample fastener had
been in use for a year before the witness
saw It, He took occasion to remark to the
jury that had there been any purpose of
concealnent or desire to adopt the fasten-
er surrepttously, the same would not have
been installed first in this city, under the
eyes of all the officials of tile department.
AS stated, all was calm, quiet and order
1y in the court room today and nothing out
of the ordinary occurred The defendants
and their relatives made up a party of
fourteen, who occupied a row of chairs
that extended entirely across the court
room. Assistant United States Attorney
Taggart, who had been confined to his
home for several days by a severe cold,
made his temperance in the court room
this afternoon.
The indications are that the defense will
close its case tomorrow evening, If it be
true that Machen is their last witness