The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-11-03

the many honors which could other
 wise have fallen to his lot But his
 fellow students were insistent upon
 tribute being paid to his brilliancy
 ed him the ablest member of his
 class, and recorded him as the one
 student who was never unprepared,
 no matter what the discussion of the
 day might have been.
 In 1901 Attorney Hallen opened his
 omce in the Connecticut Bank build
 ing, removing shortly thereafter to
 his present suite of offices in the sturdevant building. He at once be-
 gan to enjoy the fruits of his studies.
 His legal practice has attained large
 proportions.
 Actively interested in the welfare
 of the youth of the city Mr. Hallen
 continued to devote himself tirelessly
 to the tasks of the department of
 education. It was through him that
 the children of the city rich and poor alike were provided with free text
 books, for he originated the scheme and framed the bill that was passed through the legislature. He drew the bill and accompanied it to Hartford speaking eloquently for its passage. It was through him that the present system of selecting teachers for the public schools was adopted. By this the Bridgeport teachers having dem
 onstrated their fitness by graduation
 from the Normal Training school, are selected in order of their standing, merit alone being the determining g factor in their appointment.
 In 1904 MT. Hallen was unexpect- edly hOnored by the Democracy of
 the Fourth Congressional district by nomination to contend with Congress man E. J. Hill for election to the House. Though the odds were then
 regarded as strongly against MT. Hal- len, he made a memorable campaign. He was impressed throughout the
 state as a speaker, and his masterfu' treatment of national and state issues branded him as one of the brainiest of public speakers of recent years. i His splendid oratory, keen logic and aggressive exposition of what he
 deemed to be corruption in the camp of ais enemy compelled widespread ad- miration. Though he was defeated ! m the Roosevelt tidal wave. he made
 a splendid run. eclipsing many of the others of his party in the disastrous year.
 In the Democratic national conven- tion of 1908 at Denver MT. Hallen at- tending as substitute was the spokesman of the Connecticut dele
 gation presenting the claims of the
 state to the other delegations. Upon the election of Edward T. Bucking- ham as mayor he waited upon MT. upon the board of police commission CTS. Already weighted down with onerous duties both public and pri- vate MT. Hallen, while asking to be
 excused if possible, said he was ready
 to accept the responsibilities of the
 important post if the mayor insisted. Realizing the admirable fitness of MT. Hallen, Mayor Buckingham named
 him commissioner, and it was but natural that he was chosen to head the board as it's president. Under the guidance of President Hallen the board has administered fair treat ment to all members of the depart ment and important progress has been made in equipping the depart ment with modern methods.
 The excellent system of traffic reg ulation at Fairfield avenue and Main street, one of the busiest street corn CTS in America, with traffic passing almost continuously in all directions was evolved by President Hallen, while other details of almost as great importance have been developed by him.
 MT. Hallen is peculiarly we'll adapt l ed to fill the office of judge of pro- | bate. Generous and kindly by nature 1 he may be depended upon to deal 1 fairly and squarely with the bereaved 1 and sorrowful who make up the great | majority to have dealings with the | tribunal His long and nblemished | record for self sacrificing public ser vice should win him a sweeping ma jority.