Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-19
Attorneys Discuss the Case
of VIM. G. Crawford.
FIFTH WEEK OF TRIAL
GOVERNMENTS SIDE ARGUED By
MESSRS. BEACH AND KEIGWIN.
Attorney Worthington Leads for the
Defense-Schedule Of Addresses to
Be Made Tomorrow.

Be Made Tomorrow.
Tho NTH week Of the trial Of William G.
Crawford. accAsed OF conspiring with Au-
gust w. Machen and George E. Lorenz to
defraud the United States In connection
with contract for supplying the Post
Office Department with letter carriers
satohels and straps. began at % minutes
past 10 o'clock this morning, when Assist
ant United States Attorney Keigwin arose
to make the first summing-up address to
the jury. The understanding last week was
that only United States Attorney Beach
and Special Attorney Holmes Conrad
should speak for the government. but the
arrangement was changed so that both Mr..
Keigwin and Mr.. Beach faced the jury at
the morning session today, dividing the
time. Mr. Keigwins address was In prog
ress from 1922 o'clock until 1882 o'clock,
and Mr.. Beadh's from II :35 O'Clock until
1910 o'clock. Major Conrad will close for
the prosecution tomorrow afternoon.
Attorney Worthngton began the opening
address for the defense shortly after 1
o'clock. and he was speaking at late hour
this afternoon. The plan is for Attorney
Carlisle. for the defense. to make his adj
dress tomorrow morning. He will be fol-
lowed by Attorney Conrad. After the
charge OF the court is given the jury will
q
The heat was oppressive in Criminal
Court No. today. notwithstanding the ac-~
tivity of a big electric fan Crawford par
ticularly seemed to feel the warmth. Early
in the morning he beckoned to the court
messenger and asked that the one window
of the room that remained closed be opened.
Hand fans were kept going constantly.
However. the jurors and those who COM
prised the large audience paid close atten-
ton to the addresses of counsel.
Question at Issue Defined.
Assistant United States Attorney Keigwin
opened his address by saying that the ques-
ton for the jury to decide was, Did Craw
ford conspire with Machen and Lorenz to
defraud the United States? The meaning
of Conspiracy was explained by the
speaker. who remarked that it was possible
to defraud the government without the loss
of a penny by the government. Mention
was made of Lorenz being an old friend of
Machen.
The action of Crawford In securing an
option on pegamoid was dwelt upon, as
was the alleged determination of Crawford
to have Lorenz associated with him in the
Satchels contract.
According to Assistant United States At
torney keigwin. whether Crawford and Lo-
REM first discussed their ARRANGEMENTS In
April 1902 or in June. 1902. was immaterial
to the question of the guilt or innocence of
the accused.
The division Of the profits realized from
u
Lorenz and Machen was discussed by Mr.
keiswin OF the money sent to Lorenz In
Ioledo, Ohio. % per cent invariably came
found its way to Machen. This the speaker
regarded as most significant
IL was declared by Mr., Keigwin that the
question at Issue was not one of veracity
. between Crawford and Lorenzas
1T has been urged that Lorenz Is untrpet
worthy Mr.. Keigwins added But orr
case stands independent OF Lorenz II the
n hnav, No. i
we would have asked a verdict of the i1'r,.
on the facts outside Lorenz's testimony
w nat men do In concert for common
result they have agreed to do, Mr. Keigwin
argued. For twelve months Crawford I,or-
enz and Machen were cooperating
Ihere was no accident. no chance here >,
MT heigwin went on to say. 1.-THE facts
unerringiy point back to previous agree
ment TO divide the money"
Further. the speaker said that in order tn
DeIleVe crawford innocent 1t would be
necessary to believe that he had calmly SUBJ
nlitted to being made the victim of two de-
signing sharpers. But to believe that 1t
would be essential to believe that Crawford
was a fool. 1t was impossible to believe
crawford fool.
Testimony as to Character.
The value of the testimony given by the
character witnesses called by the defense
was touched upon by Assistant United
States Attorney Keigwin, who sarcastically
referred to such a mice young man. steal
Ing pages from a letter-press copy book
which he was permitted to look through by
a friend -
THE Postal Device and Lock Com,anv
paid Crawford 600 a year to look after
It's interests" Mr. Keigwin. continuing. |
said He saddled the company the
cost of making the satchels, as well as the |
Incidental risk and responsibility He ar |
ranged that his company should receive a !
proht OF % cents on each satchel and kept |
sl-o4 Tor somebody else who did absolutely |
nothing
rs that good faith? Are Won going 70
believe that man who would do such a !
thing would shrink with horror at tho
shought or soaking the government for a |
rev dollars? He swindled his company and |
he would swindle anybody else. One-seventh
Oh the prohts went to Crawford's company |
ana sx-sevenths went TO Lorenz Men do |
not practice treason just for the fun OF n |
There was motive of self-interest hack op |
Crawford. he had arranged with these other
people that part of the money should come |
back 10 him.
The several methods enplovad N tho
sending of money from Lorenz to Crawford |
were characterized by Mr. Kelvin as efforts
to hide evidence of guilt
The jury told by the sneaker that tt |
was necessary for Crawford to explain |
three things: Why did he take Lorenz IN |
win MIN on the satcheis contract; why did |
Lorenz send back to Crawford - rer cent !
OF the money Transmitted TO the former and |
whon. where and how did Crawford account |
10 Inc Postal Device and Lock COMPANY |
sor the money received from Lorenz, No |
sensible. plausible explanation had been |
gwen Mr.. keigwin declared. and therefore |
oiaWIord was guilty of conspiracy.
Gan tnere be any reasonable doubt that |
crawford was privy TO the agreement be- |
tween Machen and Lorenz?' United States |
attorney Beach, the next speaker, said In |
opening So
me prosecuting attorney proceeded to |
show that Machen and Crawford were not |
suen utter strangers" and argued that inn |
mediately after Crawford retained distin-
Suished counsel he ceased communicating
with Machen.
Mr.. Beach's Argument.
United States Attorney Beach referred to |
Machen as the most powerful bureau chic, |
In Washington for ten years"
The roundabout way taken by Crawford /
in cashing the 'bearer" draft from Lorenz
was spoken of by Mr.. Beach as absolutely |
d3mnfng."
The speaker said he would pass without |