The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-04-12


 that he is a former U. s. Senator, a former state senator, one-time as- sistant to Herbert Hoover in the Belgian relief corps during the World War, and present welfare commissioner. His term expires this year.
 He traced the defeat of Walcott for U. s. Senator by Francis T. Ma loney, and the subsequent submis- sion of Walcott's name to the Sen- ate by former Governor Cross for ratification as welfare commission l CT.
 Within an hour after Cross sent Walcott's name to the Senate he was confirmed?" asked Murray.
 "No," said Williamson, insisting that it was much longer period.
 Hayes In Favor
 Murray reminded Williamson of a Democratic caucus at the time, when Lieut.. Governor Hayes, pre- siding over the Senate told the Democratic senators that there would be a tie vote on the confir- nation of Walcott, and that he would cast his vote in favor of Wal colt.
 T believe Hayes did take some such position" said Williamson, ad- hitting that the Republicans were in favor of Walcott, but that some Democrats and the three Socialists would oppose.
 There were 15 Republicans, three Socialists and IT Democrats in the Senate, he said.
 Murray referred to Senator George T. Culhane, as sometimes Socialist, sometimes Republican and sometimes Democrat"
 T think he prided himself in his independence" Williamson replied. Murray continued in his cam paign by stating, The confirmation of Walcott had nothing to do with the steam sterilizer bill, did it?"
 T wouldn't say that" came the reply.
 Had Bearing
 Gan you say that the confirma- tion of Walcott had no bearing on the electric steam Sterilizer bill at all," asked Murray.
 No" was the emphatic answer. Murray immediately abandoned the subject. During yesterdays session, Williamson testified that opposition to the steam sterilizer bill was with drawn by the supporters of Walcott, when the Hayes-Leary group with drew their opposition to the con- firmation of Walcott.
 One of the first questions read from the grand jury record was one which Alcorn asked Williamson, as follows:
 Explain why you told the grand jury a different story the other day"
 Murray asked Williamson if he had not told the same story on three previous occasions as witt ness before the grand jury. Williamson's answer to the Alcorn questions was preceded by de- scription of the difficulties which he had to go through before he was admitted to the bar. His financial condition was poor before he be- came lawyer, he said, and he was forced to work hard to become a lawyer
 Proud of Family
 Then he lapsed into story of the fine wife he had married, and the two fine young boys he was father of.
 I have got two boys," he said, "and they are not entitled to any clouds on them. God knows, if you could walk out of story to clear them wouldn't you do it?"
 He continued by saying that his boys are the last of the direct line of Williamsons.
 Concerning his first split of a check for $12,000 with Leary and Mackenzie in the Crows Nest of the Capitol, in 1885, he said, It was the only mistake I made in 30 years of practice as lawyer"
 Attorney Murray questioned Will liamson at length about his frame of mind on the final grand jury appearance as compared to the previous days.
 Did you acquire some sense on your last appearance before the grand jury which you did not have on your first three appearances?" he asked.
 Williamson countered that he had talked with Willis and Danaher in the meantime. He admitted that he had not told the entire story, how ever.
 Talked It Over
 Do you want us to understand that Senator Danaher, without any knowledge of the case from your own lips, advised you to go before the grand jury" asked Murray scorn- fully.
 Williamson explained that when he talked with Danaher, he had not been called before the grand jury.
 Continuing in the grand jury testi- mony resume, Williamson's tram script showed that Alcorn had said to him.
 Self destruction is a cowardly thing - if you had it in your mind, get it out"
 T didn't think of it-it was not in my mind," Williamson had re- piled, assuring 'Alcorn that no thoughts of suicide had entered his mind because of the strain of his cir- cumstances.
 Well, it wouldn't do your boys any good" Alcorn had commented.
 The conversation before the grand jury then turned to running out. :" T am not going to run out. MT. Alcorn," Williamson had said, If were going to run, wouldn't be here today"
 Colossal Fraud
 AS Williamson unfolded to the grand jury the story of split fees with Mackenzie and Leary, Alcorn asked him, You were then becom- ing part of a colossal fraud?
 Williams answer was "Yes".
 Today, however, Murray asked Williamson, You didn't think that you were becoming a part of a colossal fraud, did you?" | "At the time - no" was the re-