The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-02-27

ana Buoh otner places % the An-
Choir Grill, etc.
Palmer, when IN Waterbury, was
friendly with the missing comp
troller, although seldom, n ever,
dealing too directly with him IN
matters OF business. That he would
know the missing comptroller well
seemed without any doubt and gave
credenee 10 last nights story that
the man held In Chicago really was
the missing former city official.
Books Of the office supply COM
pany were subpoenaed by Police
Comsr. Edward Hickey In 1893 be-
fore the grand Jury Of the consplra-
cy trial began hearing witnesses
The boclss subsequently were re-
turned 10 the company but were
subject to call ct any time.
On March IL, 1888 Palmer ap-
peared at the County Court House
and spent some time on the third
floor where the grand jury was
sitting. He did not enter the room
or appear before the grand jury
however.
Miss COSTA witness
Miss Cozza, an attractive, smart
ly dressed brunette In her twentie.l
was summoned before the grand
jury as the iirst witness 10 appear
following the appearance Of city
officials. She appeared but once but
was told she was subject TO recall
In the position Of secretary-treas-
urer Of the company she handled
Its financial affairs. A stock-hold-
er In the concern she drew down a
substantial annual income.
Exactly one week after the grand
jury session began the Office Sup
ply Company folded, filing a vol
untary petition Of bankruptcy with
the clerk Of the U. 8. District
Court in New Haven. It listed debts
Of Sl2,854 and assets Of $3,867. The
largest creditor was the Art Metal
Construction Company, of James
town, N. Y, nationally known
makers Of steel office equipment,
lockers etc. The Office Supply
Company had been sole agency
representative for the Art Metal
Company in this area. The agency
subsequently was leased by the ma
tional equipment company TO the
White supply Company Of West
Main Street. The office Palmer's
concern also was exclusive agent
for many other nationally known
concerns such as leading school sup
ply houses. In the month Of Decem-
Der 1887 city records showed that 13
checks were issued to the concern
totaling $l,372. However, as Deem
Der was the month for purchasing
all school supplies in bulk form by
the city, the amount was not be-
lieved to be excessive in light of the
heavy purchases for school needs.
As stated, practically the bulk Of
all city Office and school supplies
was purchased through the Office
Supply Company which led to the
investigation Of its affairs. It was
reported at the time that no illegal
procedure connected the affairs of
the city and the concern although
it was shown that sales to the city
were, in great part, made on list
basis, without trade discount. Dis
counts in the office supply besiness
generally are Of q wide margin be-
cause of its competitiveneSs.
Palmer then reorganized another
company under another name but
the second venture was short-lived.
Palmer Coma Marry
Palmer and Miss Cozza subse-
quently were married following the
divorce entered by his wife the
daughter OF the late Philip Brooks
Of l99 Migeon Avenue, Torrington
prominent in business and social
circles Of that city. The late Mr..
Brooks was president Of the Brooks
Bank and Trust Company and the
Torrington Lumber Company.
There was one daughter by the
marriage. The divorce suit claimed
incompatibility.
Palmer, It is said, was affiliated
with the Pratt and Whitney Air
craft concern during the war years
in the capacity of a travelling rep
resentative. 1t is said that the lat
ter position often took him to
Chicago. He ana his second wife re-
sided in Hartford at the time. Pal
mer now resides at SOL Surf Ave-
nue., Chicago. He at one time oper-
ated the Palmer Radio Store on
Grand Street. this city. His father
George Palmer is active in real
estate circles here.
That Palmer should be the one
to identify the man held as Leary
met with stunning surprise on the
part OF local residents who knew
both men. Giving substantiation to,
the belief that the missing COM