New Britain herald., 1918-03-02
Town Topics


 Is being made to have Alderman M. Irving Jester do battle with Mayor G. A. Quikley for premier city honors
 is the biggest topic up for political discussion during the week. In the democratic fold the name of Edward
 o. Kilbourne, mentioned prominently several weeks ago, seems to have been lost in the shuffle, and today the names heard mostly are those of Dr. Edward J. Martin and ex-Mayor Jo- Seph M, Halloran. There is no doubt that MT. Halloran. would be in a re-
 ceptive mood were the democratic nomination rendered him. and that he has following of some extent is tn- dicated by the numerous men who have asked him to place his name in nomination. It has been said that some impartial representative men. feeling that there should be 8, change in the administration, have urged him to run and have pledged htm at least 25 active volunteer campaign workers. Whether or not the powers that be in the democratic party would look with favor on the advent of this once democratic act into the political arena again is questioned by the re- publicans. As Dr. Martin has not yet committed himself on the ques ton of being a candidate but little real speculation can be made con- corning him. although many aver that he would be capable of making a whirlHind campaign.
 It is the evident break king away from the Quigley machine by Alder man Jester that causes the most wonderment When the second warder announced a few weeks ago that he would not seek reelection as an alderman it caused some surprise, but this was nothing to the surprise occasioned by the story of last Sun days secret meeting and possible plan to run the second warden against his former lea der This is the first break that has occurred in Mayor Quigiey's well-oi1ed political ma- chino in four years. This and the additional fact that Arthur N. Ruth erford, who directed the mayors forces in two successful campaigns, is not again to act as his manager, has caused his opponents some degree of satisfaction for in these facts they think they see signs of dissatisfaction within the inner circle which may llI- timately cause the downfall of the present leader, or at least cause a breach of sufficient dim ensions as to permit the minority party q good l fighting chance.
 The past winter has been a severe 1 one and the heavy rains, severe cold, l deep frosts and big snows have played 1 havoc with many of the flag side l walks about the city. Tn many in 1 stances the walks have been broken 1 Or raised to a point where they be- 1 come dangerous for pedestrians. l Then too, there are several places ! throughout the city where flag walks 1 have been removed for new build ] ings to permit heavily-laden wagons 1 to drive in. These places are now a 1 real trial for pedestrians and in mild ] weather are veritable mud holes. An { pie of this can be seen on Chest nut street, just around the corner l west from Fairview street The side walk inspector will have his hands 1 full in a few weeks and repairs and l improvem ents should be recomm end ed and then enforced.
 Smile buy a ''smileage booi.' serd 1 it to some soldier and let him smile, l too.
 Judging from the crowds that have been swarming into the income tax collectors office in City hall during the past week or two the majority of New Britain people are not slackers when it comes to doing their bit'' by paying their bit to Uncle Sam.
 March evidently ''stole a march" on the calendar for the high winds of the early days of the week gave every indication that the third month was living up to it's traditions of com ing in like a lion. Let's hope It will run true to this form and Ego out like a 1amb.'' Nothing can be more wei- come than an early spring unless 1t be an early peace.
 Go back to the "kid days ard be- come stamp collector" Collect Thrift Stamps. While it may not be so much fun now, it will be sport five years hence when you can cash them l in for their face value, plus good rate of interest
 Peter Kotinsky is what might be known as an enthusiastic debtor. Peter owed a friend, who was sched- ! uled to leave Wedn esday with the l drafted men, the sum of $100. Unlike good many of his fellow citizens he was anxious to pay this bill and on Tuesday afternoon visited the en- ploymert office of the Stanley Works to ask that his creditor be called out to collect Failing to locate the man, { MT. Humphrey. in charge of the office, told Peter there was nothing doing, but Peter thought otherwise and at tempted to force his way into the factory to pay his bill The next day he was fined s5 and costs, but in the meantime he had paid his S100 bill 1 and his conscience was clear, so what