The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-15

whether the charter makes eXcep. tion of payrolls," he said. No Charter Provision
 He finally admitted that there was no charter provision for such dis tinction, but added quickly. But I know the board of finance did" Again Slade ordered Purcell that he should answer only the ques- tions asked, and not supply any in- formation.
 Alcorn objected. stating that Slade has asked the question. Judge Ing lis pointed out that he had ruled the statement out of the record. Purcell said that payroll checks were never made out with piiipoint machine, and after examination of checks, Attorney Slade found out that such was the situation.
 Attorney Slade showed the witt ness several checks for payments of interest on bonds which were made out on the machine however. Didn't you know that the board of finance never specifically approv- ed any claim-only to so through the formality of signing the sheets" demanded the attorney.
 Again reference was made to Plir- cells washing his hands" of the warrants payable sheets. He re- iterated his reason-because items were added to them after signatures of the board had been affixed.
 "That was no reason to wash your hands of the procedure" charged Shade.
 Tt was an irregularity and didn't want any part of it," retorted the witness. Slade moved to have the answer stricken, but Judge Inglis ordered it to stand.
 The 48th session of the trial open- ed this morning with Attorney Slade continuing where the .47th session concluded last night-in the read- ing of additional audit reports of the city of Waterbury.
 Attorney Slade, counsel for Will jam B. Murray, John w. f1eaney and George H. Kingsley, affil:ates of the Kingsley company on trial, concluded the reading of the 1931- 1884 audits before court adjourned last night.
 Today, as court opened, he was ready with additional audit reports, covering 1895 through 1887, and a special controllers office audit for 1887. These records were introduced in evidence several weeks ago by Special Prosecutor Alcorn. after having been identified by Thomas Morrissey, Jr., of Bridgeport senior examiner of the state commissioners office.
 Several times. Judge Inglis ad- rnunished Attorney Blade, Please keep your voice up," and each time Slade promised cooperation-mak- ing excuse that he found it diffi- cult. His voice was strong at the start yesterday at 2 o'clock, but after three hours of reading there, was 8 note of weariness present.
 Spectators who crowded the court room for the early days of the cross examination, and who realized their desires for clashes" yesterday morning when Attorney James D. c. Murray cross s-examined Purcell, were noticeable by their absence to- day. The courtroom was far from deserted, however.
 Coming To Close
 Today was Purcell's 18th day on the stand, his sixth under cross ex- animation. There is indication that the cross-exarninatio&l and redirect examination by Special Prosecutor Alcorn will be concluded before the end of this week. Before the read- ing of the audits started. it had been expected that Purcell might be ex- cused early this week.
 The witness wore a dark suit to- day, quite aside from the light grey out1it which he has worn during many of his IS days of testimony.
 Special Prosecutor Alcoru object Sd yesterday to the lengthy reading ot the testimony. saying that the witness was on the stand to be cross examined. Judge Inglis over- ruled the objection when Attorney Slade explained that the reading of the audits was . necessary iounda. tion to his future cross-examina- tion 6f Purcell.
 Quite unexpectedly, Attorney Slade concluded his reading of the auditB at approximately n .. m, then pro-