New Britain herald., 1922-01-06
NEW EVIDENCE IN
 PELLETIER CASE
Accused Of S20,500 EXt0rtion in
 Not Prosecuting Alleged FakirS SENATOR REED OBJECTS
Counsel for Defense Clashes With Prosecuting Authoritics-Takcs I\- ccption to Testimony by Former Convict

Convict.
 Boston. Jan. G.-The Emerson Mo- tor Co. case was again before the su- prcmc court today in its consideration of the charges of misconduct m ol- flee against District Attorney Joseph c. Pclletier. Robert r. Matches or Kansas City, Mo-, admitted author or the advertising campaign for sale or the companys stock here in 1916, was the witness. The charge made by At torney General J. Weston Allen in this instance is that MT. Pelletier aided by threats of criminal prosecuption eX- torted of S20,5O0 from the company by threats of criminal prosecution in with eXtravagant state ments made in advertisements.
 Testimony Permitted.
 Matches, who was formerly q taxi cab operator in San Francisco, was allowed to testify, notwithstanding ob- jections by Senator James A. Reed of Missouri senior counsel for Pelletier that he was d "Convicted felOn who should now be serving time at At lanta penitentiary. Counsel said he had papers to prove his statement but the court said that the remarks were improper because no proof had yet been offered. In any event, Chief Justice Rugg said, while the alleged fact might affect the weight Of cred ence 10 be given the witness tcsti- mony, it would not affect his com potency.
 Reed Objects.
 Sharp exchanges between Senator marked an attempt of the latter to have Matches testify regarding a con- versation he had in 1916 with Fran cis M. Carroll. a local attorney. Car roll testified yesterday that he had re- ceived S5,O00 of the S25,500 piad as consul fees in connection with the settlement of the complaint against the company here.
 Senator Reed had caused Carroll to be recalled to the stand at the open ing of the hearing today to obtain from him testimony that in several with District Attorney Pelletier regarding the complaints there was no mention made at any time of the payment of fees.
 Matches testified that he accom- panied Amos Stephens. New York counsel for the Emerson Co.,, and Francis NJ. Carroll, tho company's counsel in Boston, 10 tho office of Daniel Fl. Coakey. The witness said Coakley confirmed reports that the was under investigation by the district attorneys office, remark ed that he was a close friend of Mir. Pclletier and added that if tho case had not gone too far he thought he could avert the prosecution.
 Coaklcy Implicated
 Coakley reported, the witness said, that because of his close relations with Pelletier, he could get favors which were denied other attorneys. When Stephens remonstrated that $20,500 set by Coakley as his fee, seemed high for defending minor charges, Coakley said according to Matches "it costs money in this kind of business; l cant go to the district attorney very often and therefore I must get a large fee when l do gO,' : No charge other than a $500 retainer would be made, Coakley promised un- less he were able to avert the trouble, the witness said.
 Further Testimony
 Continuing his testimony Matches said Coakley arranged a conference with Pelletier.
 During the interview the witness said, Pelleticr inquired if Coakley had been retained in the matter. Coakley replied mot exactly yet" adding that he wished peIletier would hold the matter up until Stephens could get in touch with the New York offices of the Emerson Co. As the party left .he district attorneys office, Peletier asked Coakley to keep in close touch with him, according to the witness. testified that Carroll told him +he S20, ,50p fee paid by the Emerson O., to avert prosecution had to be split three ways" $5,O0o to Carroll, s50O0 to the district attorney and | s10,5 500 to Coaklcy.
 Objections by counsel for Pelletier Q testimony relating to a conversa- | ion between Carroll and the witness because it was not held in the pres ,nce of either the district attorney or Oakley, led to the announcement by | Attorney Gen. Allen that the com | would amend it's informa- ion and charge Carroll with being ! conspirator with Pelletier and | Oakley.