Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-04
THE POST OFFICE TRIAL
TESTIMONY REGARDING MACH
EN-LoRENz BUSINESS DEALINGS.
Certain Checks Identified and Explana-
ton Made of a Draft on
Mr.. Lorenz.

trial of the alleged Post once Department
conspirators early this afternoon. Justice
Pritchard had ordered the baildf to an
nounce recess until 30 O'Clock. Many
of the spectators were on their feet and
about to leave the court room, when Mr..
Conrad arose and, walking toward the
bench, said:
Your honor. you will pardon me a
minute?"
what is it, major?" asked Justice Pritch-
ard.
Your honor" he continued, 'I ask that
this witness be admonished that he is sun
on the stand. and that he must not holu
conversation with any on any subject
during the recess"
The counsel for the defendants looked
nonplused
do 1 understand that you would ex-
cIude the attorneys for the defense from
conversing with him?" Justice Pritchard
asked.
yes" Maj Conrad replied AN attor-
ney has not the right to hold private con-
versa ton with this witness while he is still
on the stand. Would your honor permit
him to discuss with his attorneys the mat
ters of which he is now testifying? He
should not have conversation with attor-
neys or any one else
Attorney Charles A. Douglass face flush
ed and Judge Kumler's lips quivered.
Maj. Conrad" said Justice Pritchard be-
fore any of the counsel for the defense
could get recognition from the court to re-
/ have always understood that defendant
had the right of communication with his
counsel at any and all times"
Mr.. Douglass Heard.
BY this time Mr.. Douglass was standing
and waiting to be heard He was evidently
angry.
Your honor" he declared. with empha-
sis, lit is the first time in the hundred
years that this court of the District of
Columbia has been established that such
request has been made by an attorney.
1t is a reflection upon the attorneys who
represent the defendants that are being
tried here"
II do not mean it as a reflection" said
Maj. Conrad. as he moved still closer to
Mr.. Douglass.
Mr.. Douglass turned and looked him
square in the face. -..
'.Aren't We he asked-and his voice
trenlbled with excitement and rage-"aren't
we as free from suspicion as the counsel
who represent the government"
you certainly are said Maj. Conrad,
IN conciliatOry tone, lit was meant as
no reflection, and 1 say so again
There was slight tumult among the
spectators. many of whom pressed forward
10 hear every word that was spoken. JUS
tice PriTchard came to the rescue.
81 take it that the witness will not con-
verse with any other than his attorney"
he said.
Judge Kumler was not so easily paciied
as others of the counsel for the defense.
II call it an attack on the Washington
bar" he exclaimed. almost at the top of
his voice
Machens eyes sparkled and a broad
smile enlightened his face. Mrs. Philips.
Machen's sister, and Mrs. Lorenz, one of
the defendants, could hardly restrain their
enthusiasm.
The latter clapped her hands in glee. the
noise of which was drowned in the bailiffs
words announcing recess and the rush of
the spectators for the exits.
Afterward Maj. Conrad explained to an
Evening Star reporter that the request was
nothing unusual.
81 have heard it made a hundred times in
my practice before the courts of Virginia"
he said
Mr.. Machen's Energy.
Machen, as on yesterday, was the busiest
man In the court room He seemed to be to
his counsel what Inspector Mayer has been
to the counsel for the prosecution ever
since the trial began. He assorted the
papers that were introduced or sought to be
introduced by the defense during the ex-
animation of Mr.. Carr the Toledo banker,
and George E Lorenz. who followed him on
the witness stand. When not engaged in
this work he made copious notes that were
used by Judge Kumler In his direct exam
!nation of the last named witne ss.
Throughout the forenoon there were
numerous tiffs between opposing counsel
When Banker Carr was through testifying
Judge kumler explained that the witness
was interested in many business enterprises
in Toledo which demanded his attention,
and said that it would be working hard
ship to himself and his enterprises if he
were not permitted 10 return to his home
Assistant Attorney General Purdy SAID
that the government would need him in re-
buttal and that he could not consent to
'excusiug him.
I'll you are not going to need him for two
or three days he might go and come back"
Judge Kumer suggested.
We won't need him before Monday In
rebuttal, If you don't close your side before
then" Mr.. Purdy retorted.
We'll, we will never get through with
this case II you don't proceed" said Justice
Pritchard, cutting short the colloquy.
Type Of Successful Man.
Lorenz has been. described to the readers
of The Star heretofore. His manner on the
witness stand today was that of a success
full business man. He answered the aues-
tions that were propounded to him by his
counsel, Judge Kumler, with ease, often
times qualifying his answers without the
asking.
Machen was particularly interested in the
examination of Lorenz. They have known
each other for years. When Lorenz was
postmaster at Toledo. under President
It was in that capacity that he gained
knowledge OF the work that later brought
to him the responsible position he held In
the Post Office Department
That the counsel for the government con-
sidered the testimony OF Lorenz the most
important of any of the witnesses for the
defense thus far called was evident by the
interest taken. Major Conrad, as soon as
the examination of the witness was begun
moved his seat to place to the left of
the Jury, where he could watch carefully
everything that was done and hear every
thing that was said
United States District Attorney Beach
Aook a position at the inspectors table
where are kept the papers and documents
that were introduced by the government in
ne early part of the trial Both made careful
notes of everything that the witness said.
Al the trial table Assistant Attorney Gen
ara; Purdy and Assistant I-strict Attor-
1ars ia peart and Keigwin sat together and
aach made notes of answers that impressed
thar, or that might be considered of import