New Britain herald., 1923-11-19
Osborne of State Board of Health Also Testifies in Probe of Alleged Di- ploma Mill Scandal
Investigation May Continue for Months = Sutcliffe Promises to Testify When Called Upon to Do So.

Hartford, Nov. 19.-Behind closed
 doors. the extraordinary grand jury
 called for the purpose of Investigating
 the alleged operations of diploma
 mill in Connecticut held its first ses-
 sion at the county building today. It
 was the beginning of what is confi- dently expected will be probe that
 will continue for several weeks, if not
 months, and will be statewide in ex- tent.
 Dr. Osborne Called First
 Dr. Stanley H. Osborne, commits sioner of the state board of health, was the first witness called by the states attorney for examination by the grand jury. Dr. Osborne came to the county building armed with d mass of records from his office. 1t was assumed the reason for calling Dr. Osborne as the first witness was to giveto the grand jury list of phy- sicians who had licensed in Connecti- cut since 1917. Dr. Osborne was also expected to inform the jury of the methods employed in the state of Connecticut in obtaining licenses to practice medicine.
 Dr. Osborne, in making this cX- plan,l)n, of course would have to re- peat Nj detail much of the informa- ton given by Judge William NJ. Malt bic when he charged the grand jury on Friday afternoon. This Is in refer ence 10 the three examining boards stipulated by the provisions Of the state statutes, which are appointed by the state board of health on recom- mendation of the Connecticut medical society, the Connecticut eclectic medi- cal society and the Connecticut home opathic sUriety. When applicants from any of these boards are certified to the state board of health the board has no alternative but to issue licenses.
 senator Mclean Present.
 United States Senator George r. Mclean Of Simsbury was at the county building today and was in con versation with States Attorney Hugh N. Alcorn. with Benedict M. Holden, foreman of the jury, and with other members of the jury. The senator left the county building, however. before the jury commenced its investigation.
 Harry T. Brundigc. reporter on the St. Louis Star, whose progress through the Missouri diploma mill resulted in the rsiding of the offices of al- lt ged officials Of the mill and the dis covery Of a mass of documentary eyi- dence. was the second witness sched- uled for the day, and was expected to occupy the greater part of the day in the giving of his testimony. It was to Mir. Brundige that most of the in- formation was given which, when to the grand jury, will form the basis for the probe in the state. William F. Sachs. former state examiner of public schools in Mis- souri. who has confessed to issuing more than 1000 fraudulent high school diplomas, many of them to- men who later came to Connecticut, is not expected to be called today.
 Sachs came to Connecticut with as voluntary witness be- fore the grand jury and the informal ton he is prepared to give is expect ed to clinch the cases against many physicians now practicing in Connec- ticut
 sutcIifie sill Away.
 Dr. George T. sutcliffe of Union- vile, who is alleged 10 have com fessed to States Attorney Alcorn and To Governor Templeton concerning his part in the operation Of the Missouri diploma mill. has not returned to the jurisdiction Of the Connecticut super for court to testify before the grand jury in the diploma mill probe. Sut- rliffc had promised Mir. Alcorn that he would be available when wanted. 1 and, relying on that promise. the phy- siciap was not arrested on his con | fessed violation of the state laws.
 The extraordinary grand jury, prob lbly the first Connecticut has ever i nad. was ordered by Superior Court | Judge John P. Kellogg a week ago Ipon the request of Governor Charles \. Templeton made through State Att .orney Hugh M. Aicorn Of Hartford county and it was charged by Judge W. Nj Maltbie on Friday afternoon. Benedict N. Holden. an attorney of Hartford, who has been counsel in number of notable criminal cases be- ore the higher courts. is the jury brennan.
 Many Reported Involved
 Reports have been current for reeks that a considerable number Of physicians licensed 10 practice in Con iecticut after examination by the ,oard of the Connecticut Eclectic Medical society had offered diplomas f medical college graduation and choiastic education. obtained through purchase from certain medical schools n the middle west.
 Those diplomas and certificates had ,een accepted as authentic and the ioiders ss fully qualified to practice medicine. It is now asserted that ome diplomas and certificates were he product Of fake diploma miii'' md that Connecticut is state in which holders found it easy to pass xamination and to be admitted to 'ractice. Another allegation has been hat sponsors for holders Of question