Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-08
CRAWFORD UNDER FIRE
Cross Examined by Counsel
for the Government.
POST OFFICE INQUIRY
WITNESS VISIBLY AFFECTED BY
INCIDENT IN TRIAL.
Emphatically Denies That He Made
Any Agreement Regarding Pay
ments to A. w. Machen.

The cross ss-examination of the defendant.
cial counsel for tine government was in
progress at the hour court adjourned this
afternoon in the case of William G. Craw-
ford, accused of conspiring with August
w. Machen and George f. Lorenz to de-
fraud the United States in connection with
a contract for supplying the Post Office
Department with letter carriers satchels
and straps. This was Crawfords third day
on the witness stand. His testimony has
been given clearly and without a falter un-
til today, when Attorney Worthington
asked him a question relating to the i'll
ness and death of his mother. which oc-
CURED in New Orleans in 1903 Then pa
thetic incident occurred.
The defendants eyes filled with tears. his
voice choked, he hesitated a moment, and
then, mumbing an excuse he descended
from the stand and hurriedly left the court
room Five minutes passed before Craw-
ford regained his composure sufficiently to
continue teSufying. Even theE he found
1t necessary to wipe away the tears at
intervals and to sip repeatedly from a glass
of water
Direct Examination.
The direct examination of Crawford was
concluded shortly before the usual midday
recess, his final words being an emphatic
denial that at any time or any place he
agreed with Machen or Lorenz. or either of
them, that any money realized from the
satchels contract should find it's way to
Machen
Speaking of the day he was interrogated
in the office of Fourth Assistant Post
master General Bristow by Mr. Bristow
and several post office inspectors Craw-
ford remarked that the room was very
warm, all the wondows being closed He
said he asked that one of the windows be
raised. Attorney Worthington caused
laughter by suggesting that Mr.. Bristow
office on the occasion in question was in
truth sweat box.
Crawford gave his version of occurrences
that had previously been brought out by
testimony during the trial
He went into the details of his first con-
tact with the post office inspectors; of being
examined by two of them while in New
York city; of his examination by Mr. Bris-
tow; OF his visit to New Orleans on the
occasion of his mothers last illness. and in
his conviction that he was then ''sha dow
ed; of being pressed by the inspectors
to telephone Machen for the purpose of
learning the address of lorenz in this city;
of placing his case in the hands of coun-
sci; OF his offer to disclose all he knew to
the United States attorney at the outset
of the investigation, and of his correspond
ence with Lorenz and other parties.
The understanding is that the trial will
end soon after the conclusion of the cross
examination of Crawford.
Interest in the hearing seems to be in
creasing. Even standing room in the court
room was in demand throughout the ses-
sion today.
The Testimony.
Resuming the direct examination of Craw-
ford at the opening of court this morning
Attorney Worthington asked the defendant
further regarding the remittances received
by him from Lorenz. According to the de-
fendant, the Postal Device and Lock Com
pany, of which Crawford was manager, has
never asked him for an accounting of the
money received from Lorenz, though the
company must have known of the payments
through the newspaper reports.
Continuing, Crawford related that his first
contact with post Office inspectors occurred
In April 1903, when Inspector Little called
at his office. While in New York city, in
May, he was visited by Inspectors Simmons
and Sullivan. They explained that they
were investigating things generally relating
to the Post Office Department and had been
asked by Fourth Assistant Postmaster Gen.
eral Bristow to see Crawford about the let
ter carriers satchels contract. Although
he had an engagement, Crawford declared,
he broke it, met the inspectors at the post
office in New York and answered the many
questions they asked him.
The defendant next told of being sum-
moned to sec Mr.. Bristow in this city.
''All the windows in Mr.. Bristows room
were closed, and it was very warm in
there" Crawford explained. Il requested
them to open one of the windows if they
were not afraid of catching cold
That's what they call a sweat-box, I
suppose" Attorney Worthington comment
ed.
Crawford went on to tell of being ques-
toned at length by Mr. Bristow and the in
spectors. The latter were very polite
Mr.. Bristow had asked for copy of the
contract, and Crawford gave it to him. Mr..
Bristow seemed to be amused. He said:
This is something like it. If the Groffs
had acted this way it would have been bet
ter for them
The defendant also referred to the in
stance when he telephoned to Machen's res
idence under pressure from Inspectors
Simmons and Sullivan" to learn from Ma
chen the address of Lorenz in this city.
Machen was not at home, so the inspectors
asked Crawford to telephone Machen the
following morning.
"I realized in the morning." Crawford
said what a contemplate thing it was
they were asking me to do. l decided not
to do it. However. I left that evening for
New Orleans in response to a telegram an
there.
Overcome With Emotion.
Here Crawford was so overcome with
emotion by the recollection of his mothers
Illness and death that he found 1t neces-
sary to leave the court room in order to re-
gain his composure.
fSeSumlnR his testimony, tHt ueltIiudHt
said that soon after his arrival in New Or
leans a telephone message was received at
his mothers house asking If wv G." had
arrived. He then realized that he was be-
ing watched. Returning to this city, Craw-
ford conferred with Attorney Worthington
What advice did 1 give your? Attorney
Worthington asked
Attorney Conrad objected to the question,
pointing out that the relation between at
torney and client is privileged one
1.-THE privilege is the defendants, and ne
valves it, Attorney Worthington stated
1.-THE doors were never opened wider than
they have been in this to allow this
man to exculpate himself Attorney Con-
rad remarked. IT am merely indicating
that the line of propriety be drawn"
1.-The line of proprlety is drawn, the
court decided. The objection is over
ruled
Crawford thereupon explained that his
counsel advised him to have nothing fur
ther to do with the post office inspectors.
Attorney Worthington told the defendant
that he would go to the United States at
md ha off 1S tbare