The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1904-07-15

Grath's Defense-samuel Thrashex
Makes Comparison of wIelednes. Be
tween This city, Hartford and
ridgeport-Hartford's Condition Im-
proved Since Legislature Closed
Ninth ward Political situation Dis
cussed.
Prepared for a long and exhaustive
session. all the persons directly inter
ested in the investigation OF the local
police department were promptly on
hand in the aldermanic chamber yes
terday morning when the second pub
lie day hearing by the special citizens
commission was scheduled to open at
$3.50 O'Clock. The number of spectators.
however. was extremely small not over
a dozen being in attendance.
AS the first witness of the day came
John Hill OF 227 Mansfield street,
member Of the forestry school corps,
who, under questions from Chairman
Harrison, described the finding Of the
baseball bat with which Augusta Pet
erson is supposed to have been as
saulted
Called out of his turn at the request
of Judge Blyderburgh. City Attorney
Webb said that from his associations in
court with Detective Jeremiah McGrath
he had always found that officer trust
worthy, reliable and capable"
This was all that was asked, and Mr..
Webb at once gave place to Detective
MoGrath himself the delayed cross-ex-
animation of this witness being UNDER
taken by Mr.. Ely.
His evidence was practically the same
as when he testified before. He describ-
ed his visit to the ground where the
Peterson assault was committed and
his other investigations, nothing Of
special Importance being brought out
Taking the seat vacated by Detective
McGrath, John H. Shaw of the Sar-
gent company. was asked by Judge
Blydenburgh his opinion of Detective
NcGrath
consider him a most capable, hon
est and upright officer" was the reply.
Detective McGrath resumed the
stand, Mr.. Ely taking up the visit of
the New York reporter to this city at
the time Of the Peterson assault,
Having stated that he declined to
take dinner with the scribe, McGrath
said that the reporter seemed so deter
mined to visit Professor Henderson that
he. the detective, had warned Professor
Henderson by telephone of the ap-
preaching call. He had also thought it
advisable to accompany the reporter to
the house, to see that the family carried
out his instructions not to talk.
"You introduced the reporter to Pro-
sessor Henderson as your friend from
New York
Yes, thinking this would identity
him as the reporter of which had tele-
phoned. also warned Professor Hen
derson by looks and gestures, and
when he failed to grasp the situation !
came right out and said that the man
was a reporter"
"You say that you have people from
whom you get information Of things
how general is this? Do you have sew
eral in each precinct?"
.Did any of your friends tell you Of
McKee's poolroom?"
"No.',
On the question of burglaries Detec-
tive McGrath had no information to
give, and was thereupon excused, first
explaining that he had never been as
signed to the Mckee case.
Armed with copy Of Detective Nc
Grath's record, Frand H. Southworth,
clerk Of the police department, was
called by Judge Blydenburgh, and read
the document Honorable mention"
appeared very frequently, and not q.
reDrimand was noted.
Other witnesses called in Detective
McGratf1's support were Attorneys
John r. Wynne and William r. Alcorn.
both OF whom gave him high recom-
mendations, as did Al a. Alling, OF
Alling, Webb & Morehouse, and A. Nc
Clellan Mathewson. The last named
witness also volunteered a most favor
able opinion Of the entire detective de-
partment, thereby provoking q cross
examination by Mr.. Ely from which
nothing was ELECTED.
/ What is your impression Of the po-
| lice sorce?', asked Mr.. Martin.
my opinion is that the force, as q
whole, is unusually good.
Have you any knowledge or suspi-
cion Of leaks in the department?'
from Dean Rogers.
81 have not. p
Mr.. Mathewman was for sveral
months city attorney, during the in
cumbancy of the late Frank Brown.
Next called by Judge Blydenburgh
was Deputy Coroner Philip Pond.
Mr.. Pond spoke highly of Detective
McGrath, and Mr.. Ely volunteered to II
called.
Taking the stand at his own request
Professor Henderson denied Detective
McGratf's statement that the former
had said he had offered a reward OF $500
| in the. Peterson case only for a bluff. I"
He also contradicted Captain Cowles
denial that the latter had given re-
porter a story of Miss Peterson's alleged
movements prior to the assault on the
evening Of April 21.
Al letter was quoted by Professor
Henderson from an eminently respect
able young man. stating that the writ
~ oad q yoiInee woman with him had