New Britain herald., 1918-02-27
JESTER UNDECIDED
 ABOUT MAYORALTY
Admits He Is Considering Enter
 ing Race Against Quigley

ing paper intimating very strongly that he has thrown his hat in the ring as a candidate for the mayor aty nomination on the republican ticket, Alderman M. Irving Jester to- day said that while the story was not without foundation. he would say however, that he has not as yet made up his mind whether he will enter tt'c race for mayor. Alderman JeS- ter said that he has been approached rom several sources and urged to Jet his name be used. but he is still conS1d dering tho matter
 The recent announcement of the second ward alderman that he would rot sock reelection in his ward. secret meeting on last Sunday in the interests of MT. Jester and the con- scquent statement made today by Mayor c. A. Quigley, himself g, can dldate for reelection, arc really the openlnS shots in the spring campaign Of the republican party. Alderman Jester is one of the better known members of tho council and has served two terms. He first broke into the political game here six years ago when he ran against Mayor Quigley for second ward alderman. Although the present mayor was successful, Mr. Jester gave him the closest run of his career and came within a score or so of votes in defeating him. Two years later he succeeded the mayor as second ward alderman and has held that position since. The meeting on Sunday was attended by a number Of prominent mon interested in politics and the situation was thoroughly dis f rif{n Ivy ion of these men that the republican party should put forth a candidate against Mayor Quigley and, it is said, MT. testers name was looked upon with favor inasmuch as he has some Knowledge of the mayors position, having filled the office of mayor pro tenn for four years.
 'It's Up to the I'eoplc''-Quig1ey.
 Asked regarding this possible break in his ranks, Mayor Quigley said this morning that he had no comment to make. It's up to the people of New Britain to decide who they want to be their next mayor, but If good government counts for any thing then there can be but one re- suit in the spring primaries and clec- tion.' he said. Continuing the mayor said:
 Of course in conducting an office for four years q man charged with the administration of Q city govern mcnt makes enemies and creates dissatisfaction among a certain ele- ment in his party as well as some of the citizenship. While mayor I have looked to the general interests of the city at large, rather than to the per sonal interest of the party. I have felt O he my @i1fS J,D or Of the entire city and not act as the representative of any one clique or party. l am a republican in poli- tics and while l always appoint re- pubicans to office where I feel that they can best serve the city, I do not hesitate to name a dem ocrat if I think that he can serve the interests of the whole in that capacity
 AS far as the things I have done during my four years I can call at tention to the completely motorized l fire department. The police depart l mont has been almost doubled in ! mon and efficiency. New streets that l were formerly mud holes have been l built and much permanent pavement l has been installed. The health de l partment too, through the work of 1 Dr. T. J1 Reeks, has been built up 1 until today it is second to none in 1 NCW England. Of course the admin 1 istration has made errors and if it !, continues it is likely to suppose that | other errors will naturally be made, but on the whole I think that my ad- ministration has been very successful 1 and has been to the best interests of l the citizens. The recently created 1 War Bureau was the idea of the ad- ministration and was the first in the state and the State Council of De- fenSC thought so well of it that it 1 has adopted the plan for the entire state. l have refused to advance the interests of certain men and have not hesitated to remove some when I thought it best to do so. Tn this way I have created certain enemies who will be in opposition to mo at the election and at all times.
 But l want to state now, thrt the matter of the next mayor is a thing for tho people to decide and I feel |, confident that their decision will be |, in favor of the administration
 Rutherford Out of Politics
 Asked if Building Inspector Arthur N. Rutherford, who managed his oth- CT campaigns, is to again be his po- litical agent the mayor said he did not think it fitting to have an office hold CT in the city government acting in this capacity. MT. Ruth crford also stated that for this reason he will not consider acting as the mayors po- litic1l manager.