Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-07
MACHEN NOT ON STAND
covxRHMEHT REMINDED OF
PREVIOUS AGREEMENT.
George 3. Lorsuz, However, Testiies
in Post Office NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Witnesses Today.

After a conference last evening, counsel
representing the government In the case of
William g. Crawford, on trial in Criminal
Court No. 1 for conspiracy to defraud the
United States In connection with q contract
for supplying the Post Office Department
with letter carriers satchels and straps de-
cided not to call August w. Machen as a
witness. This decision, 1t is stated was
based on the fact that Machen claimed
that an agreement had been entered into
whereby he would not be called upon to
testify in any of the cases growing out of
the Post Office Department Irregularities.
and that II placed on the stand he would
decline to testify.
The government, however this afternoon
called George e. Lorenz as witness In Its
behalf. Lorenz. with Machen. was brought
to this city from the West Virginia peni-
tentiary at MouRdsville, where both are
serving sentences after conviction in the
post Office cases" The expectation was
that the examination of Lorenz would be
concluded late this afternoon. In that
event 1t Is likely that the two prisoners
named will be taken to Moundsville without
delay, starting from here probably early
this evening.
Last Of Government Witnesses.
1t is understood that Lorenz was the last
witness on the governments list to be call
ed in the presentation of its case in chief.
Much time has been saved thus far in the
second trial of Crawford, as compared with
the first trial. For instance, when the cause
was originally on hearing Lorenz occupied
the witness stand for two days and half.
United States Attorney Baker concluded his
interrogations of the witness at an early
hour, and the prospects were bright that
Lcrenz would be finally discharged as a wit
ness prior to adjournment Of the court to-
day.
Lorenz repeated substantially the state
ments made by him during the first trial of
Crawford. He told Of having a conference
with the defendant IN April, 1902. at the
Raleigh Hotel, this city, and of again visit
ing here in June, 1902, coming at the sug
gestion OF Machen. Upon the occasion of
the June visit Lorenz said he conferred
with Machen and Crawford. the result be-
ing the contract for supplying the Post
Office Department with letter-carriers'
satchels, by the terms of which Crawford
was to receive one-fourth. Lorenz one
fourth and Machen one-haf Of the profits.
Further. Lorenz testified regarding the
sending Of the bearer draft" to Crawford
and identified copy Of letter which he
said he received from Crawford. containing
memoranda showing Just how certain
money received from the government was
10 De divided among the witnesses, Machen
and Crawford
the prosecution apparently desired to en-
phasize by the testimony Of Lorenz that
crawford knew that Machen was receiving
:" PoiAioA VI lue money paid CraWfOrdS
company for supplies furnished the Post
once Department by 1t.
Other Witnesses Heard.
Other witnesses called today by the pros
ecution included Former ourth Assistant
postmaster General John L. Bristow. He
old not appear at the first trial. Mr.. Bris-
tow identified the letter he had written re-
Vok1ng the contract of the Post Office De-
partment with the Postal Lock and Device
company. and also stenographer's tran
script OF statement alleged to have been
made by Crawford at the Post Office De-
partment In the presence of Mr. Brtstow
and several post Office inspectors May %.
1903. This is the statement which. it is
claimed. was extorted from Crawford by
the sweating process. The statement
was read to the jury by Assistant United
states Attorney Mcnamara.
Mr.. John B. Sleman, for thirty-five years
an employe of the Post Office Department
testified that he frequently saw Machen and
Crawford together during the time the lat
ter was an official Of the department; AL
bert Cherry, Crawford's messenger during
the period referred to, told that Crawford
and Machen aften took luncheon in COM
pany, and Post Office Inspector Sullivan
was examined regarding the statement
made by Crawford to the witness and an
other inspector, at the post Office in New
York city, early in 1903.