The North Adams Transcript from North Adams, Massachusetts • Page 2

TWO THE NORTH ADAMS. MASSACHUSETTS. TRANSCRIPT MONDAY AFTERNOON, MARCH 4, 1963 Carrolls Get Barrington Fair Profits, Hancock Officer Says By CRIER HOKNEB A director of (he Berkshire I the Edward .1. Carroll family and not to promotion of agriculture. Nothing Clandestine Fair on the heels oi the npparcnt demise of the Franklin Fair, has criticized a special commissioner Morris H.

Leff House commi tee investigating, improper racmu for failing lo call Great clandes ine about hU de- This development followed Saturday testimony by former Rac of controvertlal share to Harrington officials to Berkshire Downs stock Mrs. Augusta D. Whitman, a Charles Carson in 1960. director of both the Berkshire! said Francis had been Fair and Hancock Raceways Inc. wrong asking him the al Berkshire Downs ivcrv because it now put the predicted yeslevday the cominit-; ex rac commission in a lea would find profits from 6 "peculiar" position.

Harrington Fair's racing go to See Our Large Sanction Ceramic and Plastic Tiles Many Beautiful Colon Free Use of Tools Gancmiqa's Wallpaper, Paint, Floor Covering Corner Bonk and Summer Srs. North Adams testimony came Calurday Jin Pittsfield before the House com, imiUce investigating the racing and the awarding of dales at Berkshire Downs lo two so-called "phantom fairs Franklin and Hancock and to Hancock Raceways, the commercial operator of Berkshire Downs, Sees Dig at Tramway Also teslifying Saturday was Dragone who laler said he thought Rep. Wallace B. Crawford, R-Pillsficld, had him summonet before Ihe committee "lo env barrass the Tramway Authority." Dragone is the executive director of the authority which wanls to build a tramway on Ml. Greylock.

Crawford came in for criticism yesterday. Mrs. Whitman, who said her family has involved wilh the Hancock since 1920, told the press been Fair Crawford is a close friend of Car- oil. Carroll heads the Great Bar- ringlon Fair. Denies Friendship As the probe resumed today at Special Values for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday! SMS Super-Right Quality Heavy Sleer Beef Porterhouse 1 Sirloin REGULAR OR KRINKLE CUT FRENCH FRIES 3 EXCEL FROZEN 9OZ PKGS Fine Quality Fish nnd Seafood at money- JUST HEAT AND SERVE FEATURED ALL WEEK LB 75 Fried Scallops PICK-OF-THE-CATCH Sliced Halibut Flav Sliced Swordfish LB 55 CAP'N JOHN'S FROZEN FEATURED All WEE Haddock Dinner 2 89 PICK-OF-THE-CATCH FEATURED ALL WEEK tB 59 Flavor Featured All Week rc DOUBLE STAMPS ffiOitN OUR NNESr QUAII1Y PMC A 100Z 1 00 MOM revs PKOS AJ-P FORDMOOK, TRO2EN Lima Beans 2 TYPHOON Pineapple 4 uc oz 89 HEARTS DELIGHT, ILtERTA Peaches 4 1 LB CANS 69 MCM .1 Atl At? Mirt.ti hi All Tebftcca and ra exempt from PUM ftMvp Offov.

the Berkshire Museum, Crawforc denied being friend of Carroll's Mrs. Whitman, called the 'Queen of Hancock" by Francis testified today she no longer has any stock in the race track. She said she once had 11 shares in the truck but subsequently turned them over lo her husband, George, because she said she was more interested in the fair than the raceway. Mrs. Whitman said she had re ceived no money from the Berk shire Fair since It was revived five years ago.

She opposed the of 50 per cent of the fair's profits going to scholarships because in the next five lo 10 years the profits will be spent on construction of fair buildings, she said. In other testimony today: Raceway and Fair Director Raymond J. Volpi of Wellesley said he had received five shares iof non-voting Raceway stock worth about $25,000 for services rendered. He said he transferred the stock lo his wife. Paul Sweeney, Pittsfield mortgage broker who belongs to the interlocking boards, admitted he had not had any dealings in agriculture until a few years ago.

In I960, he said, the fair had added $1,099 to the $1,000 prize money alloted it for agricultural exhib its by the state. Rep. George H. O'Farrell, D- Maiden, committee chairman, said Mrs. Whitman's criticism of committee is "off base." His committee, he said, intends lo call Great Barrington Fair officials to testify.

But he they may not be called in the sequence Mrs. Whit man wants lo see. Sinatra and Msrlln O'Farrell also said he will in Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, stockholders in Berkshire Downs, to testify before Ihe committee at their convenience Boston. Sinatra replaced Mrs. Whitman as first vice president of the Irack last fall.

At (hot time sold her $24,000 financial interest in the raceway. She is now second vice president of the track besides being a director of the Berkshire Fair Assn. Mrs. Whilmon said she, Ernest Scarpa of Lee and Walter Parry of Adams poured a total of $87,000 into Ihe fair-track venture by 1959. spur behind the attempt to revive the fair, she said, was former stale Sen.

Joseph L. Murphy of Boston. Murphy, she said, arrived in Hancock in 1958 and offered to revive the fair by building a track lhat would be used as a moneymaking atlraction. His effort to hold racing there was frustrated by Crawford's bill which made it mandatory for a fair to operate five years before it could hold racing, ihe said. Turned to Commercial Track Murphy then turned to the idea of commercial racing lo get the legal barrier set up by passage of Crawford's bill, she said.

Under the bill the fair would not be eligible for racing until this season. As it was, the commercial track opened in 1960. Both she and Rep. O'Farrell agreed Murphy should testify. Bul so far, efforts lo summon Murphy we been unsuccessful, O'Farrell Friday night.

Franklin Fair Out In another development, Secretary of State Kevin H. White Saturday ordered revocation of the charter of the Franklin Fair Assn. for alleged defects in the 'air's annual reports. The fair, which last operated in .946 in Franklin H3 miles from iancock, has been described as a phantom fair revived solely for purpose of racing. The revocation apparently canceled the group's horse racing license.

It means that should he fair reorganize it will have lo go five years before conducting racing. MRS. AUGUSTA WHITMAN would prove embarrassing to me or I would not have Isken it." Cm-son in Suprior Court last week lold ol the slock exchange taking place at a lale-nighl meeting at Left's Longmeadow home. The stock in question is presumably lhal formerly owned by lormer Senator Joseph Murphy, D-Boston. Murphy has dropped a suil thai claimed Dr.

Charles L. Furcolo coerced him into selling Dr. Furcolo, the former Gov. Foster Furcolo's father, is suing Carson and track President Sal- valorc A. to get ihe stock jack, He claims Carson, acting ns lis straw, sold the slock out from under him to Rizzo for $150,000.

The stock has reportedly jumped in value from its mid-lWO pur chase price of $37,500 from Murphy to $500,000. Left's Version This is Leff's version of the vclope incident: After the races at Hie Hancock track one autumn afternoon in I960, he was heading for his car Ihe racing commission lot al Ihe track when Francis saw him, Francis, Leff said, asked him lo take a sealed envelope home with him. Francis lold Leff, Dr. Furcolo would pick it up at Leff's ouse. When Lcff nnd his wife arrived lome after dinner Carson was wailing outside in his car.

Leff asked him in but before giving him the stock called Dr. Furcolo who, Leff said, told him lo give it to Cnrson. "There was no meeting," Leff. Re for It of general inlertit to of Ihe Northern Utrkthire Community "I don't think said Leff. Disturbed by man with crewcut red hair, ac- Lircoio Lmi lie iinu MA.

wi vuiw lllalv 'weren't friends." The doctor, he cus Lawrence MiHer. said aid, had never been in his home or office. Leff said he did not deliver the racing license with Ihe stocks. The license was granted after the board reversed an earlier decision on Ihe basis of five letters from businessmen saying they would buy $250,000 worth of stock if dates were granted, Leff said. He said the license had originally been refused because Hancock Raceway financial status seemed shaky.

Silva asked if this stock, termed "phoney" by Ally. Lincoln S. Cain of Pittsfield the day before, had subsequently been picked up by any of the businessmen, Leff first said he didn't know but then slated Raymond F. Vot- pi, one of the directors, had picked up stock. No Influence Peddlers Leff, to Silva's question, said "influence peddlers" had talked with him before the license was granted.

The "all sewed up statement was just bragging on Dr. Fur- cole's part?" Silva asked. Dr. Furcolo "certainly had not had any connection with the rac Nine Area Crashes Injure 8 By T1IAYKR WALKER In two-car crash, allegedly caused speeding on Rl. llli in Cheshire Saturday afternoon, five persons wore injured, one suffering a fractured shoulder, and ill were treated at Plunkett He- lowed awny Mr.

McGowan's carlported in Williamstown over Ihe at his request. weekend. About 7:30 Saturday night at the Union Dam curve en Union Mrs. Wfillita Jordan, of 101 lieaver SI. was injured while traveling in a car driven by Ru morial Hospital in Adams.

This perl G. Hall, 40, of the same act- the most serious of nine area dress. She told police she intend- advertising for the track, he said Silva asked Dragone if Dr. Fur Shifting" Ihe line of "questioning colo had been on his payroll that Hep. Milton R.

Silva, R-Fall year. River said he was "disturbed" "Not that lner the allegation that Dr. Fur- Mr. Dragone, whose ice colo said he had the racing com- is in the doctor Springfield clinic mission "all sewed up." building. That disturbs me loo, sir," Charge.

Vendetta said Lcff who went on lo say he Bernard Francis, former Han- was very friendly with Fosler bul he and Dr. Furcolo Minn, and Cathleen H. Ridder, IB, of St. Paul, Minn. Miss Ellwell, rushed lo Ihe by Martin's Ambulance incurred (he cock Raceways president, a large broken shoulder and was releas- of the Berkshire Eagle of Pittsfield, of carrying on a "one man vendetta" against the I a Ihrough slanted newspaper articles and unflatlering photo- graplis.

Despite dire predictions by the newspaper, merchants and the clergy, the Connecticut lawyer said, "In my two years Downs not a single crime been attributed directly or indirectly to the Downs nor a single welfare case." Instead of hurting the county's economy, he said, the track helps it. Parking lot license plate checks show "68 per cent of our money comes from the capital dislricl of New York," he said. "We bring business into the area. Ask the man who runs a gas station, motel, hotel, store." Matter of Pride Sacco asked the former track president why he spoke of "we" nnd "our" in his references to ihe track if he no longer had any connection with it. Francis said he used "we" as a matter of pride.

An originator of the Fingerlakes Racing Assn. accidents, injuring eight persons. Driver I'ays Fine Arthur Soule III of Burlington, Vt. entered an authorized guilty plea of speeding and was lined in Adams District Court. Injured in his car were Eleanor About 10:40 a.

m. Saturday a small foreign car driven by Lester R. Morton, Country Club Adams, sustained an estimated damage when il struck two guard rails on North Hoosac Road. Police reported lhat Horlon was L. Ellwell, of Minneapolis, ed yesterday afternoon.

Miss Ridcler was treated cd to see Dr. Arthur 0. Rosen-graveling cast when his car skid thai about a chest bruise. The ded arid went out of control, ether vehicle, operated by Wil- only minor damage was rcporl- Ircd M. Pilroff, 50, of 45 Bryant e( 2:10 m.

yesterday when a was towed away along with' oa driven by Stephen J. Lular of the Hall car by the struck Hie rear Garnge. Approximately $250 dam nge was incurred by each car. Chestnut SI. Collliion of a vehicle driven by Donald Peters, Church Pownal, on Cold Spring Road just north of the On Spring St.

near Street, cars driven by Mrs. Delma Mroz, 35, of 8 Victory Adams and Joseph Gouger of 89 Chestnut rln Restaurant, Chestnut St. came together as and Mr. Gouger hacked out of his released with (hree persons in I driveway, Mrs. Mroz said.

She the other car. All suffered minor humps and bruises. The others injured were: the driver Joeffrey S. Howard, 20, of Madison New York City; Carol Ann Harty, 2(1, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; nnd Louise M. Crisona, 19, from Massapo-' estimated damage to her car be- (ween and $75.

Walter A. Graves, 64, of 20 College Ave. reported about $500 damage lo his parked car after it was struck Saturday night by a car operated by Fred E. Jeanton, laWYCr IT i ol uj i-j ni ij. at Ihe qua MIS5PS Hn ly 08, of 112 N.

Holdcn St. Mr. Jean- Ime has so a assc ers ln the "Alton's car incurred approximately ard vehicle. Slate Police said ed ton damage, police said. I Ullm nillvl the Soule car to spin around on! ober I surface and strikee Rd.

reported (hat his car the the slippery Howard head-on. Dam-! 1 a arked car by ing commission," Left answered, in New York state in the late 'This license was issued on its merits," Rep. George H. O'Farrell, D- Molden, was interested in Left's wife's winnings at a "twin daily- double" at Suffolk Downs, the state's oniy other commercial race track. O'Farrell is chairman of the investigating committee.

Leff said his wife didn't hit Ihe $8,470 Iwin daily double "di- Francis, recalled lo the but through a pool with age to both vehicles was 'lcrmcdj Lemolne of 129 Btackinton moderate sti collided as Mr Slln backed his car out of a parking lot on Tu-o Hurl Here In North Adams last night, two men were injured in a collision in front of the Holy Family Church on State Road. Edward M. McGowan of 1M North treated and released at North 'Ashland Street. Mr. Lemoine's car had about $50 tinmage.

On Sunday on Protection Avenue near the Greytock skating rink, vehicles driven by Andrew B. Smith, 40, of 84 Bracewell Ave. and Henry A. Cyr, 25, of 211 Pro- Adams Hospital by Dr. Harvey H.ltection collided while travel- lion.

Southern Vermont Legislators Home For Town Meetings Southern Vermont legislators arrived home during Ihe weekend lo prepare reports to be given at their town meetings tomorrow. Primary question at most town meetings in Uiis area will be the question of each town donating $100 toward the expense of a law suit aimed al reapporlioning the Vermont legistalure. The suil was filed by Ally. A. Luke Crispe of Brattleboro, who athges the present constiUi- llonal provision giving each city or town one representative regardless of its size, is unfair to the larger communities.

If the court sh)uld agree many small light lose their represenla- Bianco, incurred head injuries, William J. Malone, 18, of 71 Hall St. complained of a neck injury. snowbankcd narrowed road. ing in opposite directions on the The town representatives arc preparing to answer questions on car suffered approximate-Hills matter and expect also to Police said a car driven by Faulty $100 damage and only minor'give brief resumes of the action Catclolti, HI, of 1C!) North was reported to the Cyr ve- of thu state legislature to date in collided with Mr.

McGowon's ve- hide, hide, causing an estimated $400, Two in Williamslown toiaf damage. Mohawk Motors! There were two accidenls re- this session. They will return (o Montpelier for resumption of thsir sessions Wednesday afternoon. he didn't believe he to what was in the envelop The purpose of having Leff tak he said, was this: Springfield was out of his way Dr. Furcolo, whom he called "th Old Man," was getting impatien 'or the stock made out in Ca son's name.

And he didn't wan see the former governor alhcr anywuy because the 'were on the outs." "A Little Unfnir 1 Francis said Leff, whom characterized as a "lillle unfair his track at limes, undere the number of times Lhe had met and the time they ha spent talking on occasions bcfor te asked Leff to take the en velope. Leff admitted this migl 5 so. Francis said he had been frient with Leff before the envelop ncident. But he pointed out tha he made friends easily and tha after meeting Rep. George 1 Spartachino, D-Cambridge, questioner, only a few times feit friendly toward him, too.

Pressed for an answer by Rep Spartochino, a member of th investigating committee, Franc: the stock, 50 shares of votin and 50 of non-voting, was wort about. $50,000 to $100,000 at th time. Wasn't it a questionable pro cedure lo lurn stocks over lo 111 racing commissioner?" aske Spartachino who earlier aske Leff if he was an "errand boy for race Irack officials. "I agree now it doesn't loo right," said Francis, "hut at th lime it seemed perfeclly nor mal." 1950s, Francis headed Hancock Raceways from I960 until hisj resignation last summer, he said. Francis is now a director of; the Berkshire Fair Assn.

Inc. He and track President Salvalore A. Rizzo are reportedly (he only directors who do not serve on (he boards of the track and the fair. "Non-Profil" Profits Spartachino, worried RcgrcU It Now Leff said he wished he had not 'messed" with the envelope and lated, "It didn't occur to me here was anything in it that Hep. George L.

Sacco Medford, asked Leff if, had the contents lw "would you hav known about months ago, changed your thinking on grant ng racing dales?" ORNER LEANERS Union Gallup Streth Open Daily 8 A. M. to 5:30 M. 24-HOUR BUNDLE CHUTE SERVICE COMPLETE. ONE-STOP, CASH AND CARRY SERVICI We Repair AH Types of Clothing New Zippers Lengthening Shortening 'New Pockets and Alterations THIS WEEK'S SPECIAL Men's Ladies' 2-Pc.

Plain SUITS $1.09 Stams Repaired, Button! Replaced Free ol Charge. Dress Shirts Finished UCH 2Sc rmHtttm Locd Clmnn about "non agreed to share profit" fairs go, asked Francis what his group intended (o clo CTRIC JUBILEE another woman. If either won, be where the profits of Ihe said, they had tho winnings. Had Mrs. Leff wound up getting wilh the $25,000 to $30,000 a all the proceeds "barring ro fjt Francis foresees for the withholding of the track?" O'Far- fj rs season, rell asked.

No, Leff said, she got one half, Francis said it would be pui back into the fair, building barns "and there was no withholding." other facilities for fair, 4-H Leff said there was no law ant community use. against a commissioner belling response to one of Rep. Spar- but that while commissioner hejt ac favorite had not done so. He said he saw no reason why his wife should not bet on races because of his position. Conduct Proper "I never speak to jockeys orj "Don't you think questions 50 per ecu solicit information from train- armers n)0r Francis said.

ers," Leff said, "I conducted my-. self properly as commissioner." He lost his position Feb. 1 when Gov. Endicott Peabody replaced him. OTarrell also wanted to know if Leff had ever solicited from the Tri County Fair organization of the profits should go lo hedged as die Ihe other directors who testified the night before.

Something else might help the He not specify what that might be. But director Dr. Robert J. Kirvin, a Piltsfield dentist, to Rep. Spartachino's question, said personally he would like to see up to 50 per cent of Ihe profits applied (o scholarships.

Pr. Kirvin said presently the interlocking directors he is one which singes the Northampton Ir air of them ore unpaid bul O'Farrell also wanted lo knowi raccways directors there is if Leff had ever solicited "any- prom i. 5e or the future." He said as thing of a financial nature to be assigned to the Western Massachusetts Civic Assn." from the Tri County Fair organization which stages the Northampton Fair. Leff said he didn't recall doing it and said he didn't recall having even heard the name of the civic association, Leff also did not recall if he nad ever suggested thai any fair contribute to that organization, Spartachino asked him if he recalled any organization of a similar name, He said there was the Massachusetts Scholarship Assn. which tracks contributed la.

Dragone Testifies Joseph R. Dragone of Spring- ield, who gave his occupation as 'land developer," said that since the fall of when he worked at Jerkshire Downs he had not been 'onnected in any way with cither he Franklin or Hancock Fairs or the race track, He said Dr. Furcolo had hired iin from mid-August to mid-October in 1960 to at first keep the doctor "acquainted" wilh the rack's construction progress as he racing season ncared. During he 24-day racing season he handled public relations and some if the track makes money (he directors hope to get $5,000 a year. Gambling Czar Not In Dr.

Kirvin, to a Rep. Crawford question, said that Raymond Patriarca, alleged Rhode Islami gambling czar, was not involved in Berkshire Downs "to my knowledge." He, like (rack president Rizzo Ihe night before, said he was not familiar with the name. Kirvin said the fair's $15,000 loan from Ihe track was made on a "gentleman's agreement" and no formal arrangements had been made for paying it hack. Tool Box Worth $80 Stolen From Station Wagon A tool box containing a 58 piece set ol socket wrcnclics al $80 was stolen from the rear of a station wagon owned by Steven Noel of Summer Williamslown, he told police last night. Mr.

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