davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-20

G.. The mayor, disregarding the
 work previously done by Weisman
 .. engaged the services of Fran
 cis P. Guilfoile to index the same
 charter ="
 Francis F. Guilfoile to index the same charter purporting to embody. however, the few amendments which had been made by the 1883 and 1885 sessions of the General Assembly. For these services in indexing the charter, in 1887 the Mayor authoriz- ed the payment to Guilfoile of $6,- 900 of the city's money. Like the Weisman index, this Guilfoile index has never been printed and appears to the Grand Jury to be practically valueless. The cost of printing it would be no more, and probably less, than the estimated cost of printing the Weisman index.
 Thoms Close Advisor
 For many years the close personal friend and political advisor of the Mayor had been William E. ThomS, Waterbury attorney. Immediately upon his election to the office of Mayor, Hayes sought his services as Corporation Counsel, but ThomS de- clined on account of the limited compensation which the office afs forded. From that time, however, the Mayor solicited ThomS' advice in matters affecting the conduct of the city government, and beginning in 1881 such services as were ren. dered by Thoms to the Mayor were generously paid for by the city, From 1881 to 1887 inclusive, pays ments were made to w. E. Thome and his firm aggregating approxi- mately $130708.70. So far as has come to the knowledge of the Grand Jury, none of the payments making up this large sum ever received ap- proval of the Board of Finance, but were added to the warrants payable register sheets as heretofore de- scribed. It appears that the services consisted principally in advising the Mayor on various matters and aS- sisting in the preparation and drafting of certain bills for presen- tation to the General Assembly. Be- yond this general statement. the nature of the services is not and cannot now be ascertained. It is pointed out that although some of these large payments were made to the law firm of Carmody & Thoms, the So-called services and contacts were solely a matter between w. E. Thoms and the city administration and are matters with which the rest of the personnel of his law firm were not and are not now &C., quainted. The employment of Thoms was made by the Mayor in violation of the city charter, with the tacit approval of the Corporation Counsel and when the interests Of the city did not require it.
 It is the opinion of the Grand Jury that such services as were rem dered by Thoms were properly the function of the Corporation Counsel and his staff. No evidence has been presented to indicate that Thoms rendered services of such a peculiar or special nature as to justify the fees paid by the city.
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The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-20

by the Mayor or Board of Alder men, represent the city in all mat ters pending before the General As- sembly affecting the interest of the city, and perform all other legal services which may be required of him by the Board of Aldermen or by law or ordinance. The Corporation Counsel draws a salary of $6,000. a year and is provided with an assist ant Corporation Counsel at $4,000. a year. The city also has the serv- ices of 8 tax attorney at 8 salary of $3,000. and claims attorney at 8 salary of 5000. It appears to the Grand Jury that this legal staff should be sufficient to handle the ordinary legal business of the city. Under the terms of the charter, however, Section 152, the Corpora ton Counsel may, if in his opinion the interests of the city require it, by and with the consent of the Mayor, employ additional counsel to aid him in behalf of the city.
 Duties Neglected
 The Corporation Counsel, Charles s. O'Connor, who has held that of flee throughout the Hayes-Leary administration, has not only neg lected his duties under the charter but has surrendered his prerogatives hereunder also. Throughout the en- tire eight years of the Hayes-Leary administration he has surrendered his privilege of appointing special counsel, when in his opinion the in- terests of the city required it, en-
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-20
Judgment Without Hatred Or Love, Asked By Judge

Judge Ernest A. Inglis, in his charge to the extraordinary grand jury March 8, recommended that the jury return report listing information against persons it be- lieved should be prosecuted, stat ing that the jury would find this 8 "better method" than returning indictments.
 He also urged that the grand jury submit a written report, even if it should find that that there were no grounds for prosecution against any individuals.
 In ending his charge, the judge told the jurors that "the conduct of your sessions is entirely in your hands," He warned them against making charges motivated by "envy, hatred or malice," "nor from love, fear or affection in the hope of reward"
 The only persons to be allowed in the jury room, Judge Inglis in- Structed the jury members, were the jurors, the special prosecutor and his assistants, a stenographer, an interpreter df necessary and one witness at a time. The special attorney, he said, could aid them in questioning a witness to sug- gest various lines of inquiry, but should not be allowed to influence the jury in its deliberations or "induce you to make presentment of any person."
 Any report submitted, Judge
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-20

for the year alone to Levy's order totaled $36,251. On one check of $9,265 paid during that year to Levy's order, the Grand Jury has reason to believe that the split was $2,0o0 to Levy, $2,o00 to Thomas P. Kelly, the Mayors secretary, $5,- 900 to Comptroller Leary, and $265 to Carl D. Olsen. What further dis tribution of these sums was made by the persons in question the Grand Jury is not informed.
 It is difficult to believe that these corrupt payments over period of seven years, all of which were made in the Mayors office, so far as known, and under a contract orig inally approved by the Mayor, could have been made without his knowl- edge.
 Between 1930 and 1888 out of the total of $126,707 paid to the order of Edward G. Levy on the checks which he indorsed, the Grand Jury has reason to believe that Levy re- ceived in fact less than $20,000 and that the balance of over $100,O0O was retained by the Mayors secre- tary, Thomas P. Kelly, for distribu- tion by him to himself and others.
 Disclosures Feared
 So perturbed did the Mayors sec retary and the others involved in this corrupt operation become about the possibility of disclosures by Levy that an appointment was made by Thomas P. Kelly to meet Levy at the Press Club in Waterbury. At this meeting the Mayors secretary gave Levy $3,000 in cash. Within four days thereafter the Mayor's $ secretary sent an additional $5,0O0 in cash in a package by messenger to New Haven where it was re- ceived by Levy at his home. The total of $8,000 in cash received by Levy from Thomas P. Kelly, the Mayors secretary, in the space of four or five days during the early stages of this investigation was for the obvious purpose of insuring si- lence on the part of Levy.
 Not only were the payments to Levy corrupt but his employment was in violation of the provisions of the charter. None of the pay ments to him, ever were approved by the Board of Finance, all of them having been added to warrants payable register sheets in the man. ner above described. The Grand Jury has been unable to find any substantial services rendered by any one in return for these large eX- penditures of the citys money. Such services as were contemplated under the terms of the agreement between Levy and the Mayor were properly function of the Corporation Coun- sells office which was amply equipped to handle such matter.
 Atty Weisman Secured
 Soon after the Mayor took office in 1880, he secured the services of Herman J. Weisman as special at torney to draw the So-called Strong Mayor" charter. The char ter was subsequently, prepared by Weisman, with a minimum of assis- tance from certain other attorneys. Although the task was properly one for the Corporation Counsel's office,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-20

1 seen and have been unable to ob- tain a copy of this charter. "A
 Soon after the passage of tbH charter by the 1881 session of
 General Assembly. the Mayor q Eh engaged the services of HerY II J. Weisman for indexing the Charter. Although this likewise was properly task for the Corporation Counsel's office, Weisman did index the char ter and presented typed copy to the Mayor, who apparently was the only official of the city who knew of its existence. At that time the Mayor stated that the city was not financially situated to undertake the expense of printing the index and ordered the printing delayed, but not until he had first approved the payment to WeiSman of an addi- tional $5,000 for the indexing job. This index has never been printed although the Grand Jury finds that the reasonable cost of printing 1t in the form in which it was presented to the Mayor would be less than $100.
 In addition to the $5,000 paid Weisman for the preparation of the charter and $5,000 paid him for indexing the charter, he received substantial sums from the city for services claimed to have been rem dered in adjusting pauper claims between the City of Waterbury and other municipalities. Although some services in connection with these matters may have been actually rem dered, the employment of Weisman for this purpose was a violation of the city charter, and in connection with matters which could and should properly have been handled by the Corporation Counsels office. Between 1881 and 1895 available records indicate the receipt by Her. man J. Weisman from the city of payments totaling at least $19,500, no part of which, apparently, re- ceived approval of the Board of Fi- nance.
 Another Special Counsel
 Another special counsel employed by the Mayor without the knowl- edge, consent or approval of the Corporation Counsel and in viola tion of the city charter was Francis P. Guilfoile, former Mayor of the City of Waterbury. Between the years 1881 and 1897 he received a known total of $37,110.92 from the City of Waterbury, no part of which, apparently, was ever approved by the Board of Finance. The Grand Jury has been unable to find any services of any description for which these payments were made excepting certain services rendered in 1887 in connection with the prep aration of an index of the city char ter. In that year the Mayor, disre- garding the work previously done by Herman J. Weisman in indexing the charter, engaged the services of
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-20

proved and finally executed by Mayor Hayes with the authoriza- tion of the Board of Aldermen, but apparently without any specific au- thorization to expend money for that purpose.
 During the first few months of operation under the contract, no payments were made, but in June 1881 Thomas P. Kelly, the Mayors secretary, sent for Levy who came to Waterbury and met Kelly at the mayors office. Kelly presented Levy a voucher and check payable to Levy for $1 300, and requested Levy's in- dorsement of both. Levy indorsed both the check and the voucher, turned them over to Kelly, the Mayors secretary, who kept them and thereupon dismissed Levy. Sometime later Levy received $50 out of this $500 payment and has apparently never received the bal ance of $1,750. A payment Of $765 in July 1881 credited to Levy on the books of the city was never re- ceived by him at all.
 Levy Called Again
 In May, 1892 Levy was again re- quested to meet Kelly at the Mayors office. On this occasion, Browning, Levy's associate, also went to Wa terbury and Levy and Browning protested that the proposed pay ment of $4,000 was less than they were entitled to under the terms of their contract. A check for approx imately $4,250 was drawn which Levy took to the Waterbury Trust Company in company with the
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-20

"In June, 1882, the mayors secrc-
 tary again sent for Levy who went
 to Waterbury and met Kelly at
 the mayors office ,. .'
 Mayors secretary, Thomas P. Kelly, who introduced Levy to Carl D. Olsen. Olsen thereupon cashed the check, the proceeds of which were split so far as the Grand Jury has been able to find, $2000 to the Mayors secretary, Thomas P. Kelly, 5000 to Levy, and $1,000 to Brown ing and the balance to Olsen.
 In June 1892, the Mayors secre- tary again sent for Levy who went to Waterbury and met Kelly at the Mayors office. By this time the Browning contract had been ter- minated and Levy was, to all in- tents and purposes, personally handling the negotiations with the light and power company relative to a reduction of the light and power rates. At this conference Kelly handed Levy voucher and check both of which Levy signed and re- turned to Kelly. The check was for $8,631. While they waited in the Mayors office, Kelly called the Wa terbury Trust Company and talked with Olsen, who, in response to the call, came to the Mayors office with $8,631 in an envelope and handed the envelope to either Kelly or Levy. Olsen thereupon took the citys check to cover the amount of cash delivered and returned to the bank.
 Out of this sum of money deliv- cred in this manner, Levy was per- mitted to retain $1,000 and the bal ance amounting to $7,631 was re- tained by Kelly, the Mayors secre- tary, for division between himself and others.
 Levy Payments
 Thenceforth until 1888 in increas- ingly larger amounts, payments were made to Levy, so far as is known, all in the Mayors City Hall office, out of which Levy himself was permitted to have only rela- lively small portion, the rest being retained by Thomas P. Kelly, the Mayors secretary. There is reason- able ground to believe that there was a specific understanding that the share retained by the Mayors secretary was to be distributed among certain city officials and Carl D. Olsen of the Waterbury Trust Company for his part in making possible this corrupt operation. In every instance, Olsen brought large sums of cash to the Mayors office in response to a phone call and took back to the bank with him city check to cover the amount.
 Amounts Increase
 As the years passed, the amounts increased and by 1885 the payments
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-20

[" Weisman did index the char
 ter and presented typed copy to
 the mayor, who apparently was
 the only official of the city who
 knew of its existence .."
 the Mayor, the Comptroller, and the Corporation Counsel sanctioned the payment of $5,0OO by the city to Weisman for this task. Soon after the completion and passage of the charter by the 1881 session of the General Assembly, approximately 2,500 copies of the charter were printed by The Waterbury Demo- crat and the printing job paid for by the city. Although the contract un- der which the printing was done called for the printing of the char ter and the binding of the charter and index, the charter was printed and stapled together unbound and without an index, none having been provided the printer. All but 8 linn. tied number of copies of the char ter are still stored in the offices of The Waterbury Democrat from whence they have been sparingly issued upon orders from the Mayor, his secretary, or the Comptroller Many officials of the city have never
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-20
Many Extra Expenses

Many other items of similar na- ture at the same time were ordered kept off the warrants payable reg ister sheets until after the election of that year, the orders being spe- officially given by Comptroller Leary. Among these payments were $385. to Mayor Hayes for official entertain ment, $2669.30 to Leary, the Florist, and $l,122.35 to the Corporation Counsel for so-called expenses.
 Under the terms of the charter (Section 152) the Corporation Coun- sel, an appointee of the Mayor, is required to represent the city in all civil actions, and, when so directed
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-20

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The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-20
Voucher No. Assigned at
 Date of En-

during the first few years by virtue of his ability to make the city's fi- nancial picture appear brighter, as 1t in fact became darker, that by 1884 he had become indispensable and Mayor Hayes personally re- quested George H. Kingsley, the head of the Kingsley firm. to release
 Borgnaes to the Mayor. In response to this request, Borgnaes was as- signed to the Mayor and worked with tho Mayor and the Comptrol-
 Ter throughout that year and con- tinued to work with them until the first of January. 1888. During a sub
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-20
Sinking Fund Payments

The foregoing items were charged on the city books as 8 direct charge against the Surplus Resource Sink ing Fund. and as previously stated under date of Dec. 31, 1881. It should be recalled that the vote of the board ordered that legal department ex- penses should be paid, and the date of the meeting at which the vote was passed was December 30, 1881. The name of only one lawyer ap- pears among the group, and the items had been paid many months prior thereto. It is perfectly obvious that the bills were not such as could bs termed floating indebtedness as
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-19
SIX MONTHS JAIL
 SENTENCE GIVEN
Suspended for Local Resi- dent Charged With
 Taking Car

Suspended jail sentence of six months was imposed today in city court on Armand Aubrie by Judge Edward Mascolo, when the accused was arraigned on charge of taking 8 car without permission of the owner. Aubrie is 28 years of age and resident of eos South Main street.
 Irving Mitkowski, 38, of 229 Plaza avenue, charged with failure to grant the right of way was given a continuance to February 16. He is also accused of carrying 8 con- cealed weapon.
 Michael DiFronzo, 29, of S11 Oak street, charged with reckless driving, was given continuance to Febru- ary 2. He was arrested last night after an accident on Orange and Walnut streets, which also involved a car operated by Ross A. Malleur, B, of Brentwood avenue.
 Francis B. Sullivan, g, of 78 Rose street, Bristol, charged with reck- less driving, was given a contin- uance to Feb. 8.
 Thomas A. Mcclure, 27, of Ash street, charged with breach of the peace, was given 8 nolle.
 Ernest Desmone, 34, of Chase Park avenue, charged with non- support was given a continuance to May l. John A. Desmond, 48, of 1177 Baldwin street, charged with intoxication and breach of the peace, was granted 8 nolle.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-19

them 10 a preVloUS speaker, Ed- ward O'Hearn, well known K. of O. war secretary.
 Speaks Twice
 Major Bannigan earlier in the evening was the speaker during the K. of c. broadcast from WATR. He delivered an inspiring address at this time on the contributions made by the K. of c. in war and peace. He also made a stirring plea for unity between organizations and peoples for the common good of all of us.
 William T. Harrington, past dis trict deputy of the Knights and commander of Corporal Coyle Post, No. 1, American Legion, officiated as master of ceremonies during the early part of the evening, present. ing Major Bannigan and also the representatives of the many veter- ans groups present in the hall. Arthur Bowling acted in similar capacity for the K. of C., presenting entertainment and speakers.
 In the course of his remarks Mir. OHearn, appearing 1n his K. or c. uniform that he wore throughout his many months of services over- seas recounted the story that brought him fame through war stories by Floyd Gibbons. His story of recovering the body of an Ameri- can soldier in France and enabling his father to bring it back to this country is history now.
 Delegation Leaders
 Leaders among Veterans groups represented: American Legion, Commander William T. Harrington, Past Commander Robert F. Birt, George McDuff, and Newton Alex ander, Representative Daniel J. Mahaney, and Victor Baker, athletic officer.
 Disabled American Veterans: Commander Walter Overton, Past Commanders James F. Martone,
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-19

William Aylward, and Michael Cal lahan.
 Yankee Division: Joseph Cum ningham, state president, Leo Pro- vost, local president, and Jerry Grif- fin, past president and secretary of the state association.
 Florio Post, Italian American World War Veterans, National Commander John DePastino, Conl- mander Michael Giordano, Adju- tant John Sforza, Past Commander Leo Mecca, and National Judge Ad- vocate Frederick Palomba.
 David Fannick Post, Jewish World War Veterans, Israel Green blatt, senior vice-commander.
 Sylvester Post, Lithuanian Legion, Past Commander Joseph Bendler.
 304th Infantry Association (Wa- terbury's Own), Edward J. Cass, past commander.
 Waterbury Veterans Council, Frank x. Downs, chairman, and Joseph Carpenter, secretary treas- urer.
 Entertainment
 Among the several entertainers heard and seen were the Hill-Billy Four and Freddy Calligan of the Universal Studios.
 George Grady, member of the Wilby High School faculty, gave a short talk on the contribution to the field of poetry made by Ameri- can soldiers during the World War.
 A series of three reels of sound
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-19
F oresters To Meet
 Officers Tomorrow
Grand Chief Ranger to Attend Local Parley-Legions
 Junior Auxiliary to Organize Drill Team
w ATE WILLIE
Mrs. R. W. Henion-l7S6 Thomaston Ave.-Tel 3-5462

M. Weeks, will conduct the second of a series of lessons on the subject of Prophecy in the Light of To- day..
 Bridge Results
 In the Tuesday afternoon tourna- ment of the Waterville Cornell Bridge club, conducted under the supervision of Mrs. John Moriarty, the top scorers were: North and South, Mrs. Homer Senior and Mrs. Edward Cookson, 38 1-2; Mrs. John Lynch and Mrs. Michael Malia, 32 1-2; East and West, Mrs. Ralph Grain and Mrs. James Duncan, B; Mrs. William O'Callaghan and Mrs. George Goggins, 30.
 The official standing is as follows: Mrs. Homer Senior and. Mrs. Edward Cookson, 96 1-2, Mrs. William Rooney and Mrs. R. Ward Henion, 87 1-2, Mrs. William O'Callaghan and Mrs. George Goggins. 87, Mrs. Joseph Montambault and Mrs. James Largay, 84.
 Thermometers ill Waterville re- corded temperature of 15 degrees below zero, this morning at o'clock which is too cold for comfort. The night was severe and it made pedes- trians shiver and hurry for home and automobile drivers add an extra supply of anti-freeze to their cars, just for good measure.
 If the cars were not equipped with defrosters the drivers found it
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-19
WASHINGTON MAN
 GETS CONTINUANCE
Early Morning Accident on Chase Park Boulevard
 Leads to Arrest

Continuance to January 24 was. granted Samuel Wyant, 20, of Wash ington, Conn, when he was arraigned in city court today on a charge of reckless driving. He was arrested early this morning by Motor Patrol men James Wagner and Joseph Mccarthy.
 The arrest took place following an accident on Chase Park Boulevard involving Wyant's roadster and heavy sedan operated by James Con- long, 66, of 154 Park road. Miss Marion Johnson, q, who was pre- pairing to alight from the Conlong car was badly shaken up and MT. Conlon sustained leg injury. Wyant said he couldn't see clearly because of frosted windshield.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-19

Waterville, Jan. 19-Court Welch, No. 84, Foresters of America, will hold a regular business meeting to- morrow at Foresters' hall, 57 Han over street. Felix Guarini, of Wa terbury, grand chief ranger of the state of Connecticut, P. J. Cava- naugh, of Torrington, grand Secre- tary and a group of members of the Torrington court will attend.
 Important business matters will be discussed.
 A social hour will follow, which will be under the direction of James Coffey, Walter Clark, Arnold Keith, John Humphrey and Will liam Dunlavey.
 The Epworth League society of Grace Methodist church will hold a meeting this evening at 7:30 o'clock, at the church.
 The Casper S. Davis, American Legion, Junior Auxiliary, will hold a meeting Friday afternoon, at 3:30 o'clock, at Fraternity hall. This meeting will be in connection with the formation of a drill team and all members are urged to attend. Clifford D. Northrop will be in charge.
 The Waterville Union church will hold its regular weekly Bible Study hour, Thursday evening at 7:45 o'clock, at the parsonage on Boyden street. At that time, Miss Elizabeth