The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-01-06

Tnere IS alSO uCCle prOpdUlllCy tnab any testimony or evidence in the case will be presented during the next week. Offlcials feel certain, however, that by one week from Tuesday, everything will be in readi- ness for the calling of witness num- Der one by Special Prosecutor AL corn for the state.
 For many weeks, some estimate as many as three months, defense and state lawyers will then battle out the question of innocence or guilt of former Lieut.. Governor T. Frank Hayes and 21 others, on charges of conspiracy to defraud the city of Waterbury of more than a million dollars.
 63 Reported Today
 Sixty-three veniremen reported | for questioning this morning as court convened for the 18th session of the conspiracy trial, which to date has been confined to the limits of seeking a panel of 12 jurors to hear the evidence. One of the veniremen who was absent yester- day was reported unlocated today by deputy sheriffs. The man, Jared Kimberley of Wallingford has not been served with a sub poena for jury service. Efforts are being made to locate him.
 Immediately following the roll call of the veniremen, Judge Inglis ordered them to return to their quarters on the top floor. Counsel for the state and defense were called then into Judge Inglis's chambers for a resumption of con- ferences concerning the alternate juror plan. More than three hours were consumed in such conferences yesterday, and at the conclusion of yesterdays session, Judge Inglis asked counsel to consider the mat ter overnight and report today their decision.
 No comments concerning their decision on the matter could be ob- tained from counsel prior to their consultation with Judge Inglis.
 Attorney Slade Poses
 Attorney Benjamin Slade of New Haven, counsel for George H. Kings ! ley, William Murray and John Meaney of New York laughingly posed for photographers upon his arrival at the courthouse this morn ing.
 His name has been mentioned prominently in the investigation of the affairs of F. Donald Coster- Musica, bizarre head of the Me- Kesson & Robbins Company until his recent suicide. Mayor Thomas J. Spellacy of Hartford testified before Investigating authorities in New York yesterday that Slade was interested with the reorganization proceedings which were brought against McKesson & Robbins, and which subsequently, led to the true identity of Coster.
 Attorney Slade declined to dis cuss the story and stated that he had not been subpoenaed as 8 witt ness in the Investigation.
 Rumor that 8 sixth panel of veniremen might be called this aft- ernoon, dependent of course, upon the acceptance of the alternate juror plan, arose during the early morning hours. With only 63 ve- niremen remaining in the fifth pa- mel it seemed highly improbable that the three jurors could be ob- tained from that number. Announcement Came | An hour later no announcements were forthcoming on the part of the court or counsel but it was rumored, at the conclusion of the conference that the alternate juror plan would be accepted, and that IA instead of 12 jurors would be impaneled.
 Counsel then took their places in the courtroom and the first venire- man of the day, Joseph L. Merchant of Wallingford, foreman of the WPA was called. He was the 360th called since the start of the trial.
 When Merchant testified that he might lose his job if he were forced to remain at the trial, Judge Inglis excused him.
 Following Merchant came Charles E. Murray of Derby, whom the de- fense accepted without question, but who was challenged by the state.
 William s. Hutchinson of New Ha- ven, grand secretary of the I. O. O. F., was on the stand more than ten minutes before the defense chal- lenged. The state was also willing to accept him. He said that he is registered as Republican, and has no opinion regarding the case, al- though he had read about it.
 The court disqualified Thomas J. Mooney of East Haven, an unem- ployed clerk, who admitted having an opinion that the defendants are guilty.
 Only Clash Today
 The only clash of the day between counsel developed during the ques- tioning of Henry Ward Beecher of Southbury, tourist house operator, who finally was accepted by the state but challenged by the defense.
 Four separate and distinct times, Special Prosecutor Alcorn objected to questions which were propounded to the venireman by Attorney Craw- ford, and in each case Judge Inglis overruled him and allowed the ques- tion to be answered.
 Only the defense questioned Miles Oddly of Wallingford, an insurance man who is more interested in the reading of international affairs than in the grand jury or it's report. The defense also challenged him.
 Oddly was the sixth venireman questioned today and he preceded Clarence Beisiegel of Woodbridge, who 8 few minutes later was &C., cepted as the 18th juror in the con- spiracy case trial.
 | Debate On AIternates
 Conferences on the question of alternate juror procedure required practically all of yesterdays ses- sion, as counsel attempted to reach 8 suitable stipulation on the meas ure. From 10:55 a. m. to 3:50 p. m., with one hour recess for lunch, the conferences continued.
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