The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-01-11

 bear indirectly on conversations at held by France, and peace-seeker lister.
 Hugh Meade Alcorn, Jr., is at the General Assembly. He was also ab- sent yesterday.
 State Challenges
 The defense voiced its intention of accepting Isaac E. Booth of New Haven without questioning. But the state challenged.
 Mrs. Robert Johnson of North Haven, the second woman to be called today, was challenged by the state. She said that her husband operates store in Northford, and that she is the mother of three chil- dren.
 A former chauffeur to New York doctor, Harold Benedict, of South bury, was challenged by the defense, Questioned only by Alcorn he stated that he has no opinion.
 DefenSc DrOpS 1lm
 Cyrus J. Shelton of Oxford was accepted by the state after brief questioning during which he stated that he is a tax collector of Oxford and that he has no opinion in the matter. The defense counsel chal- lenged after @ brief huddle.
 The court excused William H. Tal- colt of Wallingford, 79 years of age because of his hearing.
 William P. Ogden of Wolcott was also excused by the court because of his acquaintance with Mayor Hayes and his employment in city hall on a WPA project.
 Alcorn Got Funny
 After testifying that the WPA project in which he is employed is engaged in the task of taking an inventory of all the property owned by the city of Waterbury, the venireman was asked by Alcorn:
 Did you find 1t all?"
 Before the man could answer Judge Inglis told him that he needn't.
 Ogden said that the information would be turned over to the con- troller's office when the project is completed.
 q would prefer not to sit," was his comment after testifying that he knows Mayor Hayes, Former Con- troller Leary and Thomas P. Kelly He said that during the present sur vey of properties he has worked tr the controllers office and also that of the registrars of voters. Something Rotten John F. Condon of New Haven whose belief that something must be rotten in Denmark" concerning the local case, was next challenged by the defense. Questioned by At torney Slade, he said that he is g retired claim agent of the New Ha- ven railroad.
 Attorney Slade has been summon. ed to appear before the federal authorities in New York concerning his knowledge of the activities of F Donald Coster- -Musica of McKessor & Robbins fame. He was originally called to appear today but was al lowed the delay because of the con- spiracy trial.
 More Court Exceptions
 The court then disqualified Charle! Heineman of Meriden, and the state followed with the disqualification oi Catherine H. Beardsley of Oxford who was accepted by the defense.
 The court also exempted Albert w Coan of Derby, because of ear trou' ble. The fifth panel was complete. ly exhausted with the disqualifica. ton of Victor Boardman of Eros. pect, farmer, who was the 15tf questioned today.
 Starting on the members of thu sixth panel, Mrs. Sadia A. Walsf of New Haven, mother of Assistant Attorney General Walter w. Walsh was the first to be called.
 She was challenged by the state She testified that her daughter 1. employed by the board of charities in New Haven.
 Defense Downed Him Henry M. Furman of Milford, first cousin of Raymond Smith grand jury stenographer, took the stand, only to be challenged by the defense when Judge Inglis refused to grant a challenge for cause. At torney Murray brought up the cues tion that Smith might be a witness in the trial and that it would no, seem consistent to have a cousir 1T the jury box. Alcorn said the only reason Smith might be witness would be in the event records were to be identified.
 Had Relatives Here
 James T. Norton of Meriden, who doesn't ''like the idea of being lock. ed up here all winter" was chal. lenged by the state. He said that he has Waterbury relatives, and that he is retired toolmaker.
 One of tn men who was allowed an exemption by Judge Inglis, with out question by counsel early thi. morning was John Gayer of Pros pect. He said that his daughter works for Daniel J. Leary, as 6 clerk in a beverage plant, and that he believed for that reason ne s'>oulc be excused. He said that he wanted to save time when Judge Inglis sug. gested that question would bt brought up at the proper time. Upor agreement of counsel, however, ht was excused.
 Of the 25 disqualified this morn ing, four were by the court; 1S b. the defense and eight by the state making totals of the trial as fol lows: court 102; defense ITO, ar,S state 147.
 The defense has 50 challenges re maining and the state has 73.
 During the latter portion of tn, hearings this morning, George E Clarke of Orange was challenged by the defense after having beer