New Britain herald., 1917-01-13
PlainVille News
CONSTABLE FINDS
 SALERN0 RATIONAL
Murderer Seems Sane When Ac-
 Ceptin6 Service Of Papers

V0pIlu6 OOl YlUO Ul p0lD
 APPLIES FOR C0NSERVAT0R Wife Slayer Shows Intelligence in
 Conversation-Asks About Friends
 But Avoids Mention of Murder
 School Board May Seek Advice.
 Exhibiting no traces of insanity dis cernable to layman, although the doctors pronounce him to be mentally deficient, Joseph Salerno, whose com mitment to the State Hospital for In sane at Middletown, was ordered by the superior court before which he was to be tried for the murder of his wife, yesterday afternoon accepted service of papers concerning the ap- plication for the appointment of a conservator over him. The petition will be considered by the probate court on January 25 and complying with the usual formalities, Constable Philip Marine went to the asylum yesterday to serve papers drawn up by Judge Byington.
 Salerno was we'll acquainted by Officer Marine and yesterday he talked with him for some time al- though he avoided mention of the crime which resulted in his arrest. The officer noticed nothing irrational in his conversati ton and as far as he could observe the mans condition was normal. Salerno had no complaint to make regarding his incarceration and displayed no great interest in himself although he made numerous inquiries regarding his friends.
 Under the order of the superior court the murderer will be kept in the asylum until he recovers his req son when he will be brought before jury to be tried on the indictment returned against him An December. Should it be decided that he was in- sane at .he time of the killing his ac- quittal would be ordered and he would regain his freedom.
 Doctors who have observed him, however, declare that he is para noiac and cannot be cured. They be- 1ieve he will spend the remainder of his days in the institution.
 Salerno owns household furnishings and has about s75 in cash. Although the value of his estate is but small it is necessary for the probate court to name conservator to serve over him before it can be converted into cash. The mans brother-in-law will probably be appointed in this ca pacity. e.
 May Get Legal Advice.
 While the members have not in- timated what course they will pursue, it is expected that the school board will seek legal advice before taking any action regarding the awarding of contracts for the construction of an addition to the brick schoolhouse on Broad street for which $17,0OO was appropriated at the recent special town meeting. The resolution as held by the town clerk for record is crudely drawn and as no mention is made of the officials who are to look after the work, there is a question as to whether the school board has the auth ority to take the initiative.
 The resolution was put through in hurry. It was introduced after the prospects of having any additional school room had seemingly vanished and but little time could be spent in its preparation. Certain features usually incorporated in resolution authorizing such an expenditure were omitted and the voters neglected to attend to them before the meeting was adjourned
 The resolution reads that the town appropriate s17,OOO for the erection of a four room addition in the rear of the brick school house on Broad street, two rooms to be equipped, and that 8 tax of four mills be laid to partly cover the appropriation.
 It has been pointed out that the school board has full control of mat ters appertaining to schools, except in the purchase of land and the erec- tion of buildings. The voters have disposition of these improvements. The argument has been advanced, however, that as the board has the authority to rent room to provide bet ter accommodations for the children. they have the right to construct the addition, in view of the fact that the voters have appropriated the money necessary to pay the expenses.
 The point apparently is one on which legal advice is desirable, par ticularly in view of the fact that con- tractors are anxious to have the prop CT formalities compiled with before they agree to do the work in order that nothing will stand in the way of their receiving pay for their services
 The four mill tax laid by the meet ing is causing the town clerk and tax collector some anxiety owing to the fact that they are not certain whether it should be billed with the general tax or as a special assess ment The meeting neglected to specify what they should do regard ing the matter.
 Fearing that an effort might pos-