Norwich bulletin., 1916-11-01
M'Lean-Cummings
 Political Debate
AUDITORIUM AT WATERBURY
 FILLED TO CAPACITY
BOTH MEN CHEERED
Mclean Severely Criticized the Adam son Act-Cummings DweIt on Merits of Federal Resrve Act-No Decision by Agreement.

Waterbury, Conn, Oct. 31.-A joint debate on the issues of the campaign novelty in Connecticut politics was held here tonight between United States Senator George P. Mclean, re- publican candidate for reelection, and Homer $. Cummings of Stamofrd, his democratic opponent. A crowd of up wards of 4,000 packed the auditorium, where the debate was held and ac- corded each speaker hearty applause Many were unable to gain admittance. In the audience were delegates from out of town, including a representation of MT. Cummings friends in Stam- ford, and nearly all the members of the democratic state central commit tee. No Decision by Agreement. The crowd listened to the arguments attentively and there were only a few 1 interruptions. Once when Senator Mclean mentioned Theodore RooSe- | velts name, there were some hisses and later heckler asked MT. Cum Scully presided. By agreement, no de- | cislon was given.
 Mclean Picks Out Vital Issues. 1 Senator Mclean spoke first for half an hour, MT. Cummings being the challenger. He gave as vital issues in l the campaign: Preservation of our | industrial independence; protection of the American 1aborer and American prosperity by protective tariffs; pre- serving the liberty of the American
 citizen and his inalienable right to i bargain collectively or singyl with his l fellow citizens without legal restriction or compulsion.
 He said he believed in a strong and virile national spirit and a navy and coast defenses that vii lat all times able to prevent the placing of a hostile | foot on American soiI a navy that can land will successfully defend the peace and prosperity of the American peo- 1 pie and the rights of American citizens 1 wherever they may be.
 | He devoted considerable attention to
 a criticism of the Adamson act. Un- | der the head of preparedness he said: We have kept out of the war in Flu | rope just as easily as we have avoid l ed falling into the big dipper or drown ing in the Milky Way. 4
 Cummings Allotted an Hour. l MT. Cummings, who was allotted an
 hour to speak, attacked Senator Me Leans arguments in detail and criti- cised him because he had not a word of praise or any sympathy for any of | President Wilson's act He said the senator had totally ignored the pro- gram of progressive legislation of the administration and enumerated the
 acts passed.
 | FralSed FeCerai reserve Act. The Federal reserve act, he said, was thae most important legislative act ot a generation.
 As to preparedness, Mir. Cummings maintained that the democrats had
 done more in two years than the re- publican party had done in it's life time. He defended what he called the | "anti-war policies of the president and had war praise for President Will son generally.
 MT. Cummings said, speaking of the tariff issue, that there had been nc panics except in republican admins trations or under republican legisla- 1 tion. A man in the crowd, at this re-
 mark, called out: What about ir I1837?"
 That is beyond my time" Mir. Cum
 mings replied amid laughter.
 1 Senator Mclean, in his rebutta speech of half an hour, admitted that
 the federal reserve act was better thar
 the old system, but claimed that the republicans had proposed 300 amend
 ments to it.
 Clasped Hands.
 At the close of the debate Senator
 Mclean and MT. Cummings claspec hands, while the audience cheereG loudly