Evening star., 1949-12-17

the current off for the Catlett's
at their former address. 1910
Twenty fifth street NV.
Rigorous Cross Examination.
Before Mr.. Cross put Mr.. De-
ment on the stand, Perry Catlett
had undergone so rigorous cross
examination by Thomas F. Muir
ply, assistant United States at
torney, that he suffered a slight
heart attack and left the court
room staggering, in obvious pain
A nurse was summoned to at
tend him in the witnesses waiting
room, where he responded quickly
to medication and smelling salts
The burly prosecutors questions
centered on a statement the wit
ness signed for the FBI last May
%. In it Perry Catlett was quoted
among other things as saying he
could not remember whether the
Kisses gave him the typewriter
before they moved to Volta place
in December, 1887, or after that
move. He could only say it was
in the period Of the move"
Modifies Answer.
''Is this statement true?" Mr.
Murphy asked.
Yes" said Perry Catlett. lit is
But a moment later. when Mr.
Murphy repeated precisely the
same question, Perry Catlett mod.
if1ed his answer. This time hi
said: ITO a certain extent, it,
true
"Is is partly false?" Mr.. Murphy
asked. to which the witness re.
piled: Not exactly"
There are some things about
that statement I don't like" he
explained. II don't like the way
it's written up. I actually did not
tell them that"
The statement should read, he
indicated, that he got the Wood
stock before the Kisses moved to
Volta place In December.
Can you actually remember the
exact time you got the type
writer?" MIR. Murphy asked.
mo, sir. I cannot" said Perry
Catlett. But he still said it was
before the move to Volta place.
The prosecutor brought out that
the witness had not challenged
the accuracy of the FBI statement
at the first Hiss trial. AS Perry
Catlett fidgetted, Mr.. Murphy sew
eral times admonished him to
keep looking at me-" It was clear
that he suspected the youth was
seeking guidance or signals from
the Hiss counsel table, and Mr..
Murphy glowered over his shoul-
der at the defense lawyers.
Whats the matter" he finally
exploded, "are you looking for
somebody? Is there something
you want to do? You keep look
ing over there"
Il think that remark is uncalled
for" said Defense Attorney Cross.
Certainly Mr.. Murphy has been
standing between me and the wit
ness all along"
Federal Judge Henry w. God
dard ordered the questioning to
proceed.
@. Do you remember whether
you moved to p street before or
after the Kisses moved to Volta
place?
A. It was before.
@. Are you sure of that, Mr..
Catlett?
A. I'm quite sure.
@. How long do you think you
were living there before the Kisses
moved to Volta place?
A. I don't know.
Sums Up Uncertainties.
Mr.. Murphy summed up the
witness uncertainties.
you don't know" he said
whether Mr.. or Mrs. Hiss gave
you the typewriter. You don't
know how you got it home. : ~
He stopped suddenly as Perry Cat
lett slumped forward, clutching
his side.
Have you a pain or some
thing?" the prosecutor asked.
You know we can STOP"
NO" said Perry Catlett angrily
Go ahead"
But Defense Attorney Cross cut
in to say that the witness "does
have heart trouble" and Mr.. Muir
ply quickly poured him a glass OF
water. A minute or so later, Perry
Hof1atk 1Af% %lo -