Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-06
Group Of Men at Trial Of
William G. Crawford.
PROGRESS MADE TODAY
EVIDENCE SUBMITTED IN BE-
HALF OF THE DEFENDANT.
Crawford Testifes, Followed by Su-
preme Court Justice White and
Former Judge Hagner.

morning when the trial of William q. Craw-
ford. accused OF conspiracy with August w.
Machen and George E. Lorenz to defraud
the United States in connection with con-
tract for supplying the Post Office Depart
ment with letter carriers stachels and
straps. was resumed. Engaged In conversa-
ton were Mr.. Justice White of the Supreme
Court of the United States, Justice A. B.
Hagner retired. of the Supreme Court of
the District of Columbia; Mr.. John G. Car
Isle. formerly Secretary of the Treasury of
the United States and Maj Holmes Conrad
formerly solicitor general of the United
States, The two jurists were present to tes-
tify in support Of the defendants reputation
for honesty and integrity.
Lorenz was not In the court room today
During the morning he was seated on a
pench in Judiciary Square near the west
entrance to the city hall The defense
claims that by its witness. Mr.. Polk. II has
NOT oniy contradicted Lorenz regarding the
cate the latter entered into business rela-
lions with Crawford. but also as to the
agreement between them
Lorenz 1t Is said claims that the agree
ment ultimately signed by himself and
crawford was in readiness when he first en-
Tered INTO negotiations with Crawford June
=, 1917 According to Witness Polk. he pre-
pared the agreement under the Joint direc-
non OF Lorenz and Crawford the latter part
of April. 1902. iN-
Crawford Testtfes.
A feature of the proceedings TODAY was
the appearance OF Crawford on the witness
stand. The duration Of the remainder ~
the trial Will depend largely on the amount
OF time consumed by the prosecution in
cross-examining the defendant. II Ia ex-
pected that Crawford will remain on the
sldhu throughout the session of the court
tomorrow at least The jurors of the court
a a,u. .iiipaheied IN the Crawford case were
excused this morning until next Monday
me defense today first called MI Henry
=. Peilew Of this city. He said that he
was Intimately acquainted with Crawford
and that the latters reputation for hon
esty and integrity is excellent.
Distinguished Witnesses.
Next to face the jury was Mr.. Justice
White OF the Supreme Court OF the United
States In reply to questions he explained
that he has been a justice OF the Supreme
Court since 1894. for two years prior
thereto was United States Senator from
louisiana. and before that was a justice Of
the supreme court of Louisiana
continuing. Mr.. Justice White testified that
ne mas known Crawford since the latters
ooyhooo as well as he could know any
DCdy; Is acquainted with all the members
or the defendants family, and that Craw-
Iords reputation for honesty and int gritty
couio not have been better. The witness
recommended Crawford to the Countess di
Brazzl. who was instrumental in securing
MS appointment as manager of the Postal
Device and Lock Company. 1t was also
brought out that Crawford cama to enc
city at the instance of the Witness and Of
Mr.. John G. Carlisle, at the time Secretary
OF the Treasury.
justice Hagner. the next witness, also tes-
tlned In support of Crawford's reputation
Tor honesty and integrity as did Mr.
FRANK n Thomas, who from 1888 to 1896
was chief clerk of the Post Office Depart
n.e .n ne latter declared that the DEFEND
sVect. " 'eiS re-
another character witness called by the
defense was Mr. Robert E. Lee of virginia
VINO Is member of the local bar He ba g
known the defendant for eleven years 80
was prepared to speak very highly Of Cra,r
1ords reputation for honesty and fntee-
rtty. ii'es
Mr.. Beach's Joke.
Take the Witness" Attorney Worthing-
ton said. addressing United States Attorrev
Beach.
would like to ask Mr.. Lee some oues-
TONS" Mr.. Beach remarked someub.,
mysteriously. but / can't ask them wbtIa
Lee" "''ue' MI
I don't know what that meapsu NJ
Worthington declared. evidently prepa ring
TO press the matter e
The questions I had in mind merely re-
II n
planned, with smile GA
On. Mr.. Worthington calculated and
a general laugh resulted 'o
Mr, foIk. who testified yesterday afternoon
Ior the oetense, was recalled for further eY
animation and cross-examinatIon tod.T
ana Mr.. James ID. King chief of the dIvt
sion or rural free delivery Post Of5ce No
pdrtinent' who was chairman of the com
mittee that reported in favor of awsrding
the satchels contract to Crawford;s Cow
pany. In 1902. told that the report was
based on fact. and that Machen had moth
ing TO do with the recommendation made
ny the committee Crawford then took the
stand. 'A ZIG
Justice Gould was visitor In court oc
cupying seat on the bench during a nor
ton or the session today.
Start of the Testimony.
After the character" witnesses for the
defense had testified Mr. James X Poll
VINO was under examination at the bopr
the adjournment was taken yesterday aft.
ternoon. was recalled to the stand After
Few unimportant questions and answers
the witness was placed at the DISPOSAL or
the prosecution for cross-examination.
which was conducted searchingly by United
States Attorney Beach
The next witness called nv tho dafa,sa
was Mr.. John d. King, chief of the divi
sion OF rural free delivery. Post Office De-
pdrtnent. and an employe of the deDart-
A4Sit tof ioIly years After stating that
the defendant had always borne an EXCEL
rent reputation. so far as he knew. the
witness explained that he had served as
chairman of the committee that In 1902 had
reported In favor of awarding the contract
Tor supplying carriers satchels and strans
10 the department. to the Postal Device
and Lock Company.
Mr.. King declared that the statements
contained In the report of his commtttee
were true. and added that Machen had
hothlns 10 DO with the awarding Of the
contract to the Postal Device and Lock
Company N~
There Is no question about that" limited
states Attorney Beach remarked
very We'll" Attorney WorthInSton then
said Mr.. Crawford take the stand %
The defendant. attired In summer suit
light In texture and color, was sworn as
witness He explained that he Is thirty-
SIX years OF age. was born In New Orleans
and came to this city in June, 1888 to ac-
cept an appointment as deputy auditor for
the Post ONCE Department. He held that
office until change of administration oc-
CURED. Crawford says he rendered his
resignation. but II was not accepted, so he
was forced TO resign second time.
While he is member OF the bar tho