The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-04-15


 alleged improper supervision of town old funds; improper storing of lumber for bridge maintenance which resulted in deterioration, and alleged evasion of the statutes by highway employees in the purchase of blue diamond mix, Q non-pat- ented material.
 Immediately after the announce nent, Corkey continued his pres entatlon of testimony on charge tho commissioner diseriminated against employees in paying the full salaries Of two department work CTS while they were on leaveS-of- absence to tsks a trafilc research training course ct Yale University.
 Names of Employees
 The employees were Ernest T, Perkins who attended Yale from Sept. 8, io40, to May 3i, i94l and received a salary Of 82,0l0, and M Alfred Kaehrle, who received $B90 while attending the university from Oct. i, i040 to May. 24, i04i.
 Both took civil service eXamIna. tlons when they completed their studies.
 Mrs, Mary Y. Burkhardt, an ofil- cial of the state personnel depart- mert, said, however, on croSssexafn. ination, that quite few" state departments followed this practice Of paying employees while they at- tended schools both in and outside the state. She listed the University of Connecticut, state library, health, police, welfare, and highway depart- ments, the southbury Training School and several other state agen- cics.
 Since ie30. she said, 3i employees had been given leaves of absence with pay for special studies.
 Are there any in the attorney generals department" inquired de- fenSe Counsel Joseph r. Berry in jest.
 T don't think so," replied Mrs Burkhardt.
 Concerning thIs practice. Berry asked: "'rhIs Is true Of q great many departments, isn't it"
 "Yes," she replied.
 Tt increases the eiIieiency Of the various departments, doesn't it2"
 "Yes,"
 Salaries of Employees
 Salaries of employees who took spec cial training, Mrs. Burkhardt said ranged from 5000 to S30o0 a year While examining another witness Budget Director Robert II. Weir Berry made the observation that Attorney General Francis A. Pallotti made q trip to San francisco to at. lend Q convention Of the American Bar Association, and his expenses were $500.
 And turning to PallottI, he said No criticism, MT. Pallotti, none aI all, It's only fact"
 Referee Hinman, e former attor. ney general, told Berry at this point that If there was any, 1t would re. fleet on others than the present ct. torney general"
 pallotu and his assistants today presented evidence on the ninth o % charges Of misconduct, materia neglect Of duty or IncompetencI against Cox, and they hoped to com plete testimony on the remaininl charges within the next few days.
 Chief defense counsel Joseph p Berry said the defense would begir as soon as the state rested.
 The removal trial now was in iti fourth week, and was moving fair. ly rapidly after a slow start. Witt the major involved cases out of tn, way, Q speedier hearing was expec. ted.
 Deputy Attorney General Mich. olas r Rago took up presentation Of evidence on the charge that Coz discrtminated against the staUC highway department employees bJ giving state pay to some who weni to Yale University for special stud. ieS.
 Testimony on this charge begar following a suspension" of testi. mony on alleged faulty work on the New London-G -Groton bridge, now under construction.
 To Be Heard Later
 It was believed further hearing on this charge would be held later Samuel c. Lewis, highway depart. ment junior engineer who was state inspector on this job, was the only witness heard in connection witt this charge.
 He testified that one of the pier, of the bridge which already has been constructed Is smaller thar called for under the specifications but admitted under cross-examina. ton that the pier was safe.
 Lewis testified also on the con.