New Britain herald., 1925-12-02
GROEHL CALLS
 UPON ALCORN
tCentinued from First Page)

rum flfst Page) tlon over the prisoner" He explained tho procedure in the ponzi case was iollowed, He was questioned in de- tail as to the alleged similarity in procedure between the Pon2l and Chapman cases,
 Mr. Alcorn would not point out the slmllarlties in the absence of his l'Ies' Further questioning then de. Neloped that the communication by President Coolidge of the federal sentence was at Mir. Alcorns re- quest.
 Here Mir. Grochl said that he pre- terred tho use of the words "order of the president instead of "com- mutation.' Mir. Acorn reviewed the steps he took in Washington last summer 10 obtain the document, and also of another visit at the request or the attorney general tAis fall, jus; before the document was signed by the president.
 Mr. Groehl questioned Mr Acorn as 10 many details,
 Chapman Tells story.
 Chapman was later called to the stand. He walked firmly and on tak. Ing the witness seat leaned back ward in an easy position. He told of his arrest in Muncie. Ind, and his arrival at Atlanta on January 2l.
 All that Was said to him was come on," and in l5 minutes he was on train.
 Chapman said he was not told why the transfer was being made, as Mir. Groehl questioned him. He said ho considered himself d federal prison- CT, He said that when taken from prison 10 superior court he had no Knowledge of the writ of habeas cor pus' Five minutes before leaving he was told he was going to court, A man. George Hughes had charge of his transfer, Counsel asked If he saw Hughes in the court during the trial. He said he did several times, espe- cially during the last three days.
 Prefers Atlanta.
 Its your request 10 be returned to Atlanta 10 finish your 25 year sentence" asked Mr. Groehi.
 Yes"
 Asked if he had requested federal commutation of sentence, he re- piled No
 Counsel asked If he insisted upon his rights, and Chapman said he did.
 Mir, Groehl said that was all and Chapman left the stand.
 The witnesses called by the state were Raymond W. Smith, clerk of the superior court, and Lucius r. Fuller, clerk of the supreme court. to prove of record of the trial and the appeal in those courts. A recess was then taken for lunch.
 Chapman Appears Brisk
 The board of pardons room which was flooded with sunlight when court was opened on Monday, today was almost dreary because of the gray skies outside which could be seen through the windows. Chapman. himself, on the other
  sertive and quicker in action than on Monday. Then he quietly en- tered the room from the barred passageWay; today he stepped out of that place quickly, energetically to his seat at the counsel table, standing with arms folded just as Judge Thomas stepped into the room. Almost simultaneously |. $. ! Marshal Walter gave the customary | "Oyez."
 Is Very Active
 Chapman showed also more men | tai alcrtness than he did on Mon- i day because his eyes instantly l went 10 a paper which Ray M. | Wiley of Springfield, Mass, one of | his counsel, had in hand, and l when he sat down he began con- versation with his senior counsel, | Frederick J. Grochl, and Mir. Wiley. | The court session resumed at the | point where it left off on Monday 1 when Mir. Groehl asked for ad- i journment while the defense might !
  federal governments to the petition ! for writ of habeas corpus.
 Lawyers on Hand
 The court was opened at 10:06, ! and before Judge Thomas had taken his seat States Attorney AL i corn and Assistant |. s. Attorney i George II. Cohen had been in the room many minutes, and Mir. Groehl and other of Chapmans counsel were ill their places at three minutes before the hour. On | Monday court had to wait eight minutes for counsel for the pris- oner.
 Judge Thomas on taking his scat began looking over a document which had been placed before him. There was quiet in the room, the conversation of Chapman being in whispers. There were three women In the small audience of persons who had been authorized 10 be present, one being Miss Ellen Green, q superior court stcnograph- CT who has been called in to as sist the court stenographcr, and two who sat at the newspaper mems table. t
 Freedman Addresses Court Joseph NJ. Freedman, Of counsel. addressed the court after q short in- :. tcryal, and Chapman slumpcd down r into his usual pose with the index :,