The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-14

eros sexamination Purcell was asked if he had ever been arrested, and if he had everd known 8 police off, cer by name of McElligot tand girl by name of Pauline Milausky.
 He denied having been arrested or knowin ga girl by that name.
 He admitted that he knows Officer McElligott. but said he did not know him as 8 boy, when he lived at 42e South Leonard street.
 Showing the witness piece of paper, Murray asked Docs that re- fresh your memory"
 Purcell replied that 1t did-that it reminded him that when he was 13 years of wage he was arrested for throwing stones at boy" He de- nied ever having been arrested for truancy, incorrigibility or keeping bad companions.
 Despite continued questioning of Attorney Murray, he could not re- call if he had been graduated from grammar school. He said, however, that he had no reason to conceal information pertaining to his grad uation or non-graduation.
 Excursion With Rowland
 At the time of his excursion" with Controller Rowland and Will liam J. Armstrong to the second floor of the city hall in search of city records, Purcell admitted that he was being questioned by former Sttae's Attorney Lewis.
 Apparently his memory was very vague on certain matters upon which he was questioned by Attor- ney Murray, and when Murray chided him for 1t, he reorted, 50 many things happened in 1888 that it's hard to remember"
 Murray drew a laugh when he said, You have the kind of memory so that in 1880 you profess to tell of a precise conversation and in 1888 you can't recollect the conver- sation or the incident. Is that the kind of memory you have?"
 Answer yes or no" instructed Special Prosecutor Alcorn, adding to the general laughter.
 At last the learned States attor- ney gets the idea" said Murray.
 Purcell refused to answer yes or no, and was finally let off with T have good memory"
 Sometimes you have a good memory for forgetting, haven't you?" asked Murray. The question was not answered.
 Duplicate Payment Event
 Lengthy examination concerning the incident in the spring of 1930, when duplicate payment of $3,5OO was made to a contractor, and later regained by Controller Leary de- veloped.
 Purcell characterized it as per fectly innocent mistake" and admit ted that the duplicate payment might have been his own or one of the Griffenhagen accountants.
 When Murray questioned him at length on the possibility that 1t was his mistake, Purcell became flus- tered and shouted, q don't knwo- and what difference does 1t make it was perfectly innocent one."
 When Purcell became vague about the circumstances surrounding the incident, Murray asked, "Is there anything you remember besides your conversation with Mayor Hayes?"
 Remembers Conversation
 '"rhe conversation is what I re- member" he replied.
 You remember that because you hoped 1t might embarrass Mayor Hayes. didn't you?" asked the at- torney.
 "No, sir," was the reply.
 Purcell could not recall the name of the payee of the duplicate check but he recalled that 1t was a con- tractor and an Italian.
 Attorney Murray asked him if he name was Corideo, and that when did not recall that the contractors the new controller Daniel J. Leary went out to recover the dudplicate payment, he was told that the con- tractors son, who kept the books was i'll and not to be disturbed Purcell did not know anything about 1t. he said.