The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-12-06
Eight Veniremen Are Questioned This A. M.
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a defense motion for excuse fol cause.
 Howe, volunteer fireman, sai6 that he had read a portion of the grand jury's report, and that ht would expect the accused to prove themselves innocent. He also ad- mitted that if the other II jurors had opinions different from his he would give in to them.
 Never Was Counsel
 During the questioning of Howe inference was made to tn effect that Special Prosecutor Alcorn is counsel to the Connecticut Milk Producers Association. After he had been excused, MT. Acorn stated 'for the record" that he is not now and never has been counsel for the association.
 New York Juryman
 A man who has served on juries in the New York courts, Joseph w. Mckinney of Beacon Falls, retired New York printer and publisher, was excused by the state just before the l o'clock recess.
 Mckinney said that he was a partner in the firm of Gates & Mckinney at Long Island City, New York, for more than 30 years. He came to Connecticut in 1928.
 Questioned by Attorney Murray he stated that he had served on the regular panel in Queens County court. He said that he has read the papers concerning the scandal but not very much.
 He objected to answering a ques- ton as to whether he believed the men guilty just because they were accused.
 After being advised by Judge 1nglis that it was not catch question he answered, Definitely, I could not answer that question" :"
 S3 Veniremen Present
 Eight-three veniremen were marked present this morning as the fifth day and the second week of the trial got under way. Eighty four were to have appeared, but Mrs. Eleanor H. Little of Guilford, former relief administrator, was ex- cused by Judge Inglis. She will re- port tomorrow
 A woman, Mrs. Gladys M. Beattie of Cheshire, a housewife, was the first venireman to be called. She was the 58th to be called since the questioning opened last Tuesday, and she was the 54th to be dis missde, when the defense challenged her.
 Not Much Interested
 It was her contention that she had formed no opinion concerning the case, that she had read only the headlines of newspaper stories and that she had heard no radio broad casts based on the expose. T can't say that it interested me at all", she exclaimed in answer to a question of Attorney Benjamin Slade. Mrs. Beattie did not know that Hayes is lieutenant governor. T am not par ticularly interested in serving" she said.
 Alcorn Made Objection
 During the questioning of Mrs. Beattie, Attorney Alcorn interposed numerous objections to the method employed by Attorney Slade. All but one of his objections were over ruled. The defense challenged after Judge IngliS refused to excuse her for cause.
 Mrs. Beattie was on the stand about half an hour.
 A fixed opinion which would pre- clude him from giving the defend ants fair trial was basis for the courts excuse of Frank Stevens of East Haven, a janitor in public sceool. He admitted, when ques- tioned by Prosecutor Alcorn that he had requested to be excused last Tuesday. T can't say that haven't a fixed opinion" was his comment. The defense did not question him.
 He Meant Janitor
 Last Tuesday when he asked to be excused he said that he was a school custodian" Later he stated that he meant he was a janitor.
 He said he had obtained his opin- ion from the newspapers and from conversations.
 Although acceptable to the de- fense, Clarence Palmer of Hamden, an insurance man, was challenged by the state, after brief period on the stand Alcorn did not question him.
 Had No Opinion
 Although he has read the papers and taken part in Republican poli- tics, Palmer stated that he had fixed no opinion. He is clerk of the sewer board and a member of the Repub- lican town committee at Hamden. He is married, has family, knows Alcorn by reputation, and has served on criminal jury cases before.
 Defense Willing
 At 11:01 the defense voiced its willingness to accept MT. Palmer, but Alcorn quickly declined and utilized another challenge.
 William G. Schielke of Southbury was on the stand less than five minutes, under questioning by the state only. He said that he is a laborer, carpenter, and pick-and- shovel man. After Pros. Alcorn had questioned him, Attorney Cassidy refused to question him for the de- fense, and the state challenged. Second Woman Mrs. Andrew K. Thompson of West Haven, the second woman to be questioned today, was challenged by the defense after brief question ing. She said that her son is New Haven lawyer, but that he has never discussed the case with her.
 Mrs. Thompson has also confined her reading concerning the case to the headlines. T was out of town when the first stories broke," was her comment. Her belief was that Hayes, Buckley, Daly and Willard were defendants. Daly is Senator v N