Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-01-27
ATWOOD IS DEFIANT.
Says Its honsy Hs is Aitsf- Scorss
 Attorney General King.

Hartford. Jan 27.-"I am in this for the money there is in it. boldly de clarpd D. Preston Atwood yesterday afternoon before the judiciary commit tee of the legislature, which was con ducting a hearing on the so-called At wood case bills.
 The hearing had been ill progress over an hour and half at that time and until then few had known that the much talked of harasser of execu- tors was present. The lawyers on both sides had said about all they desired to, apparently. and the hearing seemed to be drawing to q close, when House Chairman Kenealy of the committee said
 ''Is Mir Atwood in the rOom?'
 X black mOustached man of average height. somewhat stout, arose in the back of the room with a defiant look OH his face.
 "Step up here, please" said Chain. man Keneaiy.
 You bet I'll come.' was AtwoOd's remark as he strode forward and took a position in front of the rostrum where the committee were seated and 1 also in front of the fifty or more inter, csfed legislators, lawyers and others
 How long have you been looking Up probate records:" asked Speaker Ken ealy.
 "Since 1896 or 1S97.' Have you called tine attention Of judges oI probate to cases of delin- uuents:" "NO"
 Did they know of the conditionsT' ] "No''
 Did you bring it to the attention of administrators or others 1 No. it was not my business "Why have you brought these suits!'
 T am iR this for the money there is : iii it."
 Did you report to any judge any thing you found. or did you disclose to any one your purpose"
 'I don't recall that did
 Was it fact that six or seven years ago you consulted lawyers. a New Haven firm, in thls same mat ter?'
 "Very likely N Was it not to take up the cases on Shares?"
 ''lt might have been
 And did you try to induce them to consult others elsewhere:"
 II might have.'
 ''It has been stated here that no suits against women were returned by you to the courts in September. ls that so!"
 T am not positive"
 You have, then, brought suits against wOmen:"
 II brought suits right and left Sex cuts no figure. withdrew q few against people of limited means, as mine are limited. Where the bond was small the estate might be poor. {, Bus it was not always so. found one with bond of a few hundred dollars far an estate of many thousands"
 Did you report such things to the judge Of probate?'
 No. I was not employed by the judge Of probate"
 There was an interruption at this point by counsel and then Atwood put in: If the state will attempt to col feet the inheritance taxes due it. 1t will be out of debt"
 "Have you reported any such in stances to the attorney-general: asked Chairman Kenealy. No. am not in his employ. He is in the employ of tine administrators, though paid $4,O0O year by the state" . This remark caused the speaker to do some explaining presently. He said 1t was his impression it was the attor ney- y-gcneral's duty to see that the in. heritance tax was collected. He judged that an enormous amount due the state had not been collected. Called to account by the chair for his statement relecting on the attor. : ney.general, lie admitted he might have been little nasty. and then withdrew to take his seat. saying as he went He seems 10 be pretty friendly td : them. though" Attorney General King. who had been an interested listener, said, he , would like to disar0w what Atwood
 said, but Chairman Kcnealy smilingl! ! said that the committee did not under ! stand there was any charge against him.