The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-13
Night Watchman Claims They Tried to Get Him to Use His Master Key
 to Let Them Inside
ROWLAND AT FIRST DENIED
 BUTLATER ADMITTED CHARGE

 Caught in attempt to gain entry to the office of the corporation counsel last night after all offices in the City Hall had been vacated and closed. Mayor Frank Hayes, acting the complaint of the superin tendent of police, today called Controller Rowland and his two companions in the affair, James F. Pur- cell and William J. Armstrong, to explain.
 Mayor Hayes Incensed
 The mayor is incensed and will conduct rigor- ous investigation of all aspects of the matter He will he said, submit all testimony of witnesses, in cuding the stories of those city employees involved in the attempt to gain entrance to City Hall office after it closed to the proper authorities when his ln vestigaton is complete
 Rowland Denies It At First
 Immediately upon receiving the complaint of the night watcman Maurice Sweeney forwarded by Superntend- ent of Police William J. Roach, Mayor Hayes called Mr. Rowland to his office to learn what the controller had to say.
 Theres nothing to it." the tall controller said, at first
 Later On He Admitted It
 Afterwards he admitted that went to "an office" in the City search of the missing books He said he didn't know whether he the third fourth floors of the City Hall, but denied that he was on the second foor (There is no fourth floor in the City Ha
 Conflicts With Watchman
 "He was sure he was not on second floor Executive Secretary Thomas F. Kelly quoted the controller He said that went into office the left This is in con- fict with the report the night watchman, however who said that he found Mr. Rowland Mr. Purcell and Mr. Armstrong; the two latter accountants n the office ot the controller outside the corporation ofice The said that he asked to let them into the office locked for the night.
 He was told that he might stand in the door" and was promised he sao that they Wouo take notng out of the office"
 Purcell Admits Attempt
 Mr. Purcell questioned by Mayor Hayes, admitted that had told Mr. Rowland that he informed that the missing books had been in the corporation counses office He quoted as saying that his informant" had related the books warrant books for 1886 and eleven months s currently trent M sought aea ce to ae n htt the poraon counes office by reason Of the auditors them there.'
 Corporal Counsel Is Furious
 Corporation Counsel Charles S. O'Connor was furious today when he learned of the alleged attempt to enter his office after closing hours
 q was in my office all day long yesterday" he remarked "f the controller wanted to inspect office for any whatsoever should have been glad to accord him this privilege
 Office Open To Anybody He added that his office is open at all times during the day to any all city employees and that his complete cooperation with them epoye of the city, can be expected
 "Not thing of this kind, however, said MT OConnof 'This reaches beyond the imagination"
 Mayor Hayes Indignant
 The mayor indignant and said that he would conduct thorough and rigorous investigation into the matter, without concern for anyone's feelings When this is complete he Said the evidence procured from all witnesses will be made public.
 Rowland Not Available
 Controller Rowland, called by the Democrat for statement about the affair." not available for the comment sought this noon
 James F. Purcell who is "hodover" from the appontees of the administration in 1930 asked he had statement.
 q wouldn't think so" Mir. Purcell remarked
 Earlier he had agreed to ask the controller for some statement concerning the matter and said that he had brought this request to the attention of Controller Rowland that the latter had left the office before the second call was made He repored as too busy" in the first instance of the seeking for some statement
 Purcell Evasive
 Mir. Purcell indicated that it not within his
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