New Britain herald., 1920-03-15
MAYOR CHALLENGES .S.M'MAHON'S GANG Will Answer Their Charges in His
 Campaign Speeches
 CURTIS ALSO "DUCKS" p. s.

Nomination Seems to Entertain Any Great Regard for Head of Taxpayers Association. In announcing his candidacy for a fourth term, Mayor George A. Quig- ley gave out the following statement, this afternoon:
 Tt was not my intention to seek the republican nomination for a fourth time, rather was it my inten- tion to d-~-ote my entire time to my business but the islander, the vile criticism appearing in a recent issue of local paper has decided me and fourth time.
 Will Answer Charges.
 'I will not retire under the fire of such men as McMahon, Curtis or their gang, neither will I counte- nance the ,slandering of honest citi- zens who have given generously of their time and thought in serving the city on the various commissions.
 The administration has been called a failure by my political op ponents. Wherein has the admins tration been a failure? The debt of the city today is sS0.000 less than it was in 1914, and over $1,000,000 in assets has been added to the wealth of the city.
 "I will have more to say during the campaign regarding the admin istration of the past six years and will endeavor to pay my respects to the slanderers of the administra tion.''
 Curtis Makes Statement.
 Alderman Curtis. who will oppose the mayor at the coming primaries, objects to intimations that he is con- nected with P. $. McMahon or any other political outfit. This, however, the alderman does not wish to appear as disregarding the strength of Me- Mahon or his followers nor turning away from his suffrage, but he mere Iy wishes to make emphatic that he will not line up with one faction or another.
 His statement:
 Tn connection with my candidacy for the mayoralty nomination, I wish it to be distinctly undestood that am not, and will not be responsible for any expressions of opinion or promises as to what will or will not be done if I should be nominated and elected, or as to whom will be the power behind the throne unless it. appears over my own signature. While approaching any support that may be given me and considering it the duty of public officials to listen to and consult with any citizen in regard to city affairs I do and will re- serve the right to act on my own judgment in respect to public measures, policies and appointments.
 70. F. CURTIS"
 Democrats Seem "Lost.'
 As time for the city election ap- proach es the local democrats seem to be drawing further and further apart from an organization and the dem- ocratic town committee is still in a disorganized state with two groups acting in opposition to one another and calling meeting practically every evening. 1t is possible that a meeting may be held this evening, but there is no degree of assurance in the state ment that action will be taken to or ganize a new committee.
 When the resignations of several of the members were handed in last year, the three remaining members took over the work of the committee. It is now reported that the members who resigned are anxious to again be recognized and claim that as they were chosen for year they are obliged to serve for that term. The members wllos resignations were not handed in are not of that be- lief, however, and their decision to run democratic affairs seems to prevail. A list of possible ap- pointees for the town committee has been drawn up and may be acted up- on soon.
 Several democrats are being men toned for *he nomination but as yet none have come out openly in de claring his candidacy. Among those most prominently mentioned. the names of ex-Mayor Joseph NJ. Hal loran, Alderman Angelo Nj. Paonessa. Judge William Mangan, Attorney r. F. McDonouSh and Chairman F. F. King of the board of police commits sioners stand out. Of that list MeSsrs. Falloran and Paonessa are known to be in a receptive mood.
 Vincent Luty. a life long resident of the fifth ward is democratic candidate fer the council. He is an ex-soldier with service at the border and during the World war to his cred it. He is prominent in the activities of the Polish World War Veterans association.