The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-21
MORE GRAFT EVIDENCE,
RELATIONS OF HACHEN,
GROFFS AND LORENzES
Further Testimony Concerning the
Sale of Fasteners to the
Government.
CHECKS ARE IDENTIFIED
5000 Fasteners Received at the
New York Postoffice Without
a Requisition.

WASHINGTON, Jan. -20.-In the postal
trial to-day the government gave further
evidence to show the relations existing be-
tween Machen, the Croft brothers and Mr..
and Mrs. Lorenz concerning the sale of let
ter-boX fasteners to the government. Sew
eral witnesses from Cleveland and Toledo
having connection with the banking insti-
tutiOns testified to various deposits by the
Lorenzes of checks of d. B. Croft for large
amounts and TO certain debts made against
their individual accounts. Captain II.
Baumgartner, Machen's brother-in-law,
secretary of the Deposit Trust Company Of
Westminster, Md, also testified to Ma
chen's deposits with that company. 1t was
brought out that the check for 81, 401 was
signed by ID. b. Croft and deposited Nov
q 1899. Against this deposit, on the same
day, check for $500 was cashed, and wit
ness stated that DR.. LorenZ had purchased
a New York draft for $780, paying currency
therefor. Later the same day $500 was de-
posted to the credit of Martha j. Lorenz
in the National Bank of Commerce at To-
ledo
Henry C. Lockwood, chief clerk, city de-
livery New York postoffice, said that by
a letter dated Feb l, 1896, he was notified
that 5000 Croft fasteners were ordered sup
piled TO his office without any requisition
first having been made. Counsel for de-
Tense objected. Mr.. Taggart stated that
his object to show Machen was espe-
cially energetic in distributing these fasten-
ers. Justice Pritchard announced that he
would admit competent any evidence
tending to show facts in connection with
the furtherance of the allegations of the
Indictment. He had, he said, anticipated
this very question and had given it much
thought. The witness then continued his
testimony after counsel stated they would
argue the point further tomorrow.
Mr.. Lockwood explained various initials
on the letter by saying they represented
those of officials of the New York post
office. through whose hands the letters
passed. 1t developed from further question
ing that the initials "A. w. NJ" also were
on the letter. On crOSs-examinatiOn witness
said he never saw Machen sign his initials
and therefore did not know whether they
were put there by Machen or one of Mach
ems clerks, although his familiarity with
communications from the department led
him to believe ii came from Machens office.
Counsel then became involved in another
legal argument After Mr.. Douglas had
again objected to the admission of the let
ter because there was no evidence to show
that Machen ever saw Ii or even dictated
it, the court held that, the government
trying to identify the initials "A. w.
NJ" as having been made by Machen. and
the witness was not able to positively do so,
he would require that the initials be proved
before this particular testimony would be
admitted.
without such proof" the court said with
emphasis, that is no evidence whatever
against this defendant. Machen. We will
proceed according to law" The witness was
excused TO be crOsS-examined later.
The subject of coaching witnesses by
Postoffice Inspector Mayer again came up
and Mr.. Douglass, for the defense, said he
also would include Postofice Inspector
Gregory in the charge. The matter finally
was passed over on the statement of Mr..
Kumler, counsel for the Loreazes, that he
would procure aftidavits to support the
charges. He offered to produce one such
affidavit to-day, but District Attorney
Beach objected.