The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-02-24


 cd from Meriden" in the trucks of Frank J. (BurnA JSantalucia during August and November of i9S6 and April and June of les7 were poured" into the evidence of the Waterbury conspiracy case trial yesterday by Special Prosecutor Hugh M. Alcorn with the aid of James P. Purcell, controllers chief accountant.
 At the conclusion of yesterdays session, the prosecutor and account ant had massed a bevy of checks, purchase orders and invoices, alleg- edly showing payments by the city totalling $i0S,785.53 to santalucia during lsS4-35-s6-S7.
 A large portion of that sum was in payment for carting i3,oso tons of stone from Meriden during the four months mentioned. That amount Of stone, according to esti- mates, would All 236 railway cars, and make Q train two miles long.
 Throughout the entirety of yes- terday's session, Alcorn concen- trated on payments made to Santa lucia for truck and equipment hire. The grand jury charged that Santa lucia received moro than $i60,000 from io3i-i937, and alleged that the equipment hired out did not ade- quately Justify the payments.
 Invoices Read
 A group of invoices from Santa lucia to the city, dated before ac- companying city purchase orders were placed in evidence, over the objection of Attorney John II. Cas- sidy, counsel for Santalucia.
 "The state will show that checks were issued and payments made months before the papers were filed" was the statement of the prosecutor in answer to on objec- ton by Attorney Cassidy.
 "Carting stone from Meriden - rental of I, R. pump .. shaft for mixer |. .. blades for grader cart- ing stone from Meriden earting stone from Meriden. ." read Alcorn from the invoices and purchase or. ders, in 0 monotone that could be heard distinctly in oil corners of the courtroom.
 It was computed, after Aleorn had concluded his readings for the day. that there were 1900 tons cart cd from Mcriden in April and 2,300, tons carted in June of 1887. In l036 there were 3,270 tons carted in Aug lsst and 0,2i0 in November.
 There were many references in invoices, to rental of I. R. com prcssorS. which means fngersoll- Rand. Reading from the invoices, Acorn referred to an Item as T. R, compressor number 3i0.'
 Cassidy objected, stating that Aicofn's reading would convey the impression that it was the same compressor, number 3i0." He ada cd that tho symbol before the BIO did not mean number" but indi- cated to air capacity.
 symbol or Number
 "Your honor" he said, that sym. Dol B not c number. The jury being led Co believe that the bills for rental are for the same compressor. This b not 70. There arc different com pressors. The symboi refers to air capacity, not q number.
 Judge fnglis tcok the paper in question and after examining it said "That symbol iS tho one usually employed to mean number" Inc said.
 Also sometimes used to play tic. tae.to,'" rejoined tic defense attor- ney.
 "i think 1 should insist on my interpretation of it," was the final work of tho prosecutor, Judge fnglis granted tho Alcorn request to con- sider tho symbol aS meaning mum. ber."
 Most of Alcorn's time yesterday was required in tho reading of fig- urcs from tho various papers in ovi- dence. When he shortened his state- ments. because nc wanted to ab- breyiato' he was chided by Attorney Cassidy to "be fair" and tread the entire exhibit"
 One of the sheafs Of paper read by the prosecutor, while Purcell rec mained almost wordless on the stand pertaincd to i4 purchasing orders. containing the dates November 90 and November 90. io30.
 Reads List
 Tho list, giving an indication of yesterdays proceedings was read as follows:
 "November 20, ie30, carting stone from Mcridon, 800 tons. S87b,00; November 2b, io39, carting stone from Meridcn, Bi0 tons, s802,B0: November 2b, io39. carting stone from Meridcn 900 tons. so7b00; No. vember 2b. iDJ6, carting stone from Meriden, bi0 tens. t8o200: Novem- ber %. iD3G, cartiiig stone from Meridon, bi0 tons. S8D2,b0: Noyem- ber 90. i03G, carting stone from Merlden, t30 tons, s227.60: Noyem. Der %. i03U, carting stone from Mcriden, ,i30 tons, t227 90: Noycm- Der 25, i030, cartirg stone from Meriden, bi0 tons, s0O2.60; Novem-