New Britain herald., 1915-03-25
Plafnville News THREATENED TO SUE
 FOR FALSE ARREST Lawyer Advises Chicken Thief Su2-
 p6Ci to Abandon Idea. POLICE LOCKED UP WRONG MAN
Stranno Taken Into Gus .ody Because Of Appearance and Suspicious Ac- tion--Friclds Indignant Because Uc NaSnt Admitted to Bail.


 inGs to collect damages from Consta- ble John E. Conlon and Deputy Sheriff w. C. Hart for lalsc alll est made this morning by Rocco Stranno of Bristol, who was taken into GUS tudy yesterday as d chicken thief sus pect, were discouraged by Attorney James T. Mather the mans coulisel and friends ot the accused finally agreed with the lawyer that it would be cheaper if less agreeable to drop the matter. Strannos $ friends were Indignant over his arrest and the action of the authorities in keeping him in the lookup over night and they wanted suit brought against the officers.
 While admitting that the man had been dealt with in high handed fashion. Attorney Mather explained to his clients that it would cost consider able to make all attcpt to collect damages and he could not promise that success would attend their ef- forts. If they persisted hee of course as lawyer was willing to start lti- gation but in view of the circum- stances he suggested that they give up the idea of collecting for the incon- venience and humiliation caused by his clients arrest.
 Stranno was discharged from GUS tody this morning after Alfred Ander- son, foreman at the Connecticut QuarrieS company's plant at White Oak, failed to identify him as the man he believed was responsible for the disappearance of some of his chickens The accused was not brought into court. Attorney Mather was on hand to defend him should the case come up for a hearing, but his services were not required.
 The man was found strolling around White Oak yesterday afternoon. The police had been advised early in the day that hens had been stolen from Anderson's GOODS and that they strangers, who were seen loiterin g around the place, were suspected of appropriating the birds. Officers Con- lon and Hart accompanied by two civilians made visit to the place shortly after noon. They met Stranno, whose appearance and clothing tailed with the description of one of the suspects as given by MT. Anderson. The police thought Stranno was act Ing suspiciously and they placed him under arrest -
 I other Italian friends of the accused subsequently tried to come to his rescue. They argued that the charge of chicken stealing was prepostrous and that the prisoner was perfectly honest. They explained that he had gone to the quarry looking for work and that there was absolutely nothing illegal about his mission They offered furnish bondS for h; ,., l lease. They went to Grand Juror Norton but he explained that inc matter of accepting bail was not in the jurisdiction of the prosecutor. They also made an effort to have the case disposed of last night but the police had to put off the hearing until this morning as they were unable to get Anderson here last night to iden- t1fy the suspect. When he put in ap pearance today he was positive that Stranno was not the man sought and the prisoner was released
 Attorney Mather explained that otfannos friends made a mistake, in not asking justice of the peace to ad1n1t the man to bail Had thev done So and met with refusal they might have had better case for damages.
 Murphy Stayed Home.
 James J. Murphy failed to make an appearance at the meeting of the di rectors of the Eastern Baseball asso citation in New Haven this afternoon the local man preferring to remain at his home. Murphy has the proxv of nls brother-in-laW George M Cam eron, and acting under instructions 1,o
 with Clarkin and Carey ana has re- fused to consent to a six club league
 To outwit the other three directors the opposition remained away from the meeting recently held In Hartford and then claimed that any business transacted was illegal as there was not a quorum present. They planned to do the same thing today and Murphy said this morning that he proposed to remain Tn rIainvlle all day.
 Cameron is not expected to return from Chicago before the middle of April He will then assume personal charge of the New Haven teams affairs. Until his return MT. Murphy will be his authorized representative.
 Business Dull on Island.
 Local friends of Thomas Cafferty are In receipt of letters sent by him from Santa Barbara. Isle of Pines, here he is spending the winter. Mir Cafferty reports that business Is very dull on the island and that many of the Americans have already started lack to the States.
 MT. Cafferty has an interest in d small plantation on the island. He expects to return home this summer. Howard La Field of this place is also