The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-03-10
Attorney Josiah Peck Continues Probe Into Pces Knowledge Finances
troduced him to Leary.
 Mayors Brother-in-Law

EuTcell SalQ, n answer 10 QueSLlOIlS of Peck that he had done accounting work for other firms than the Far ringtons, but no other references had been sought by or supplied to Leary, before he was appointed.
 You presented yourself to MT. Leary is a competent accountant?" asked Peck.
 The answer was affirmative.
 And he gave you what was tenn porary employment at the timer"
 "Yes," was the reply again.
 The name of Peter FitzHenry, predecessor in office of Controller Leary was brought into the proceed ings for the first time. Strengthening Accounts
 "When you took office was an att tempt being made to straighten out the FitzHenry accounts and see just how the city stood?" asked Peck of Purcell. after the latter had iden- tifled FitzHenry.
 Purcell replied that the charter commission investigation was going on and that part of the Griffenhagen work was to audit the books for 1929 and arrive at the ciyt's financial condition.
 Purcell said that he knew Griffen- hagen had set up an accounting sys- tenn for the highway department of the state, but added that he had never examined the system.
 He didn't recall how long it took the auditors to look over the Fitz- Henry accounts.
 Peck brought out, by his cross ex- animation of Purcell, that prior to the Leary administration, the pay rolls had been made out with cash. Purcell said that Leary installed the check pay system acting on the rec concentrations of the Griffenhagen & Associates.
 Under the Guilfoile administra- ton, Purcell said, all city checks were signed by the mayor, city clerk and controller.
 Payroll Checks Unsigned
 The payroll checks, he said, are not signed by any of the three.
 Concerning conference of em- ployes of the controllers office, at which Leary told the other workers that Purcell would be in charge of the bookkeeping, Purcell said there might have been such conference, but he did not definitely recall it.. He recalled, however, that there were meetings of employees from time to time.
 Peck's next questioning concerned testimony which Purcell had given on direct examination with relation to double payment of about $3,500 made in the early part of the Leary administration. He recalled that Purcell had testified that through @ clerical error, bill had been paid | twice.
 Leary, he said, had gone after the double payment, and brought back the extra check, the same day.
 That was the instance in which Purcell had reported to Hayes, and subsequently, been told that Leary was running the office and mot MT. Purcell"
 What Was Protest
 Concerning his protest to Hayes over the check, Peck asked, What was it you protested about?"
 Because it was not returned to the city treasury" replied Purcell.
 Peck recalled that that was the time Purcell said he was told by Leary that he had to look out for people behind them"
 You're not quoting him correctly" interrupted Alcorn.
 I'm not trying to quote him-only give the substance" was the reply.
 Purcell added, when asked what Leary meant by that statement, T didn't know at that time what he had in mind by taking care of other people, know now"
 "O-you have now, have you" asked Peck.
 "Yes," replied the witness.
 "Isn't 1t a fact that you thought Leary was not proceeding along the best business lines regarding that particular transaction" asked Peck
 Again the reply was affirmative.
 You thought the money should be turned over to the city treasurer forthwith"
 "Yes," was the reply.
 Finances Being Checked
 Peck pointed out that the city finances were under investigation by the Griffenhagen accountant at | fhaf fit,on -fIaf fhn eif gards finances was not fully deter mined, and that the new bookkeep- ing system was not in complete op- eration.
 Purcell denied that all warrant payable sheets of the Leary ad- ministration were made under his direction. He admitted that the sheets for the February 20, 193c, meeting were made by Helen Te- han, under his direction.
 He said that other sheets were made under the controllers direct supervision.
 In connection with this trend of thought, Peck asked him just what type of tasks he performed, and his reply was, "In early 1930 I was iii close contact with the work (mean- ing warrants sheets), answering questions, etc." he was in terrupted by Peck, and Alcorn ob- jected that he should be allowed to finish.
 What are you objecting to?" asked Peck of Alcorn.
 "Your Interruption" replied AL corn.
 "Oh," said Peck quietly, T didn't know the gentleman was going to make a speech"
 Peck Remark Stricken Out
 On recommendation of Alcorn Peck's remark was ordered stricken from the record by Judge Inglis.
 Then Purcell continued, T had that responsibility until items were added after the meetings of the l