The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-11-08
Both Confident But Second Lever Ticket
 Appears Favorite
Republians Fighting For Retention Of City Hall Supremacy With Backs To The Wall = At water Forces Lead Today In Betting Mayor atty And Assessor Candidates Arousing Most Interest.

Election day dawned clear and cold. Politicians marshaled their forces at the sixteen polling places, and were ready and eager for the fray when the polls were opened at six o'clock this morning. The voting has been steady and brisk, and early indications point to the heaviest municipal vote in years.
 Thirty-seven thousand people are privileged to cast a ballot for their choice of the personnel of the city government for the next two years. Judging from the averages and statis- mately 30,o0o votes will be cast to=s day.
 Expressions of confidence were is- sued by the campaign directors of the rival parties with the closing of the campaigns last night. Both sides have fought valiantly, and both are con- ident of victory.
 Democrats are striving to regain control of the city after the ten-year Republican regime. On the face, they would appear handicapped because of ten years in office bestows upon any party. But, through the collapse of the famous Republican machine a few years back and the apparent weak ness of the Republican candidate, the handicap is lessened and they are on as good, if not better, basis, than their opponents
 The administration forces are fight ing with their back to the wall to re- tain their political power. Their eff forts are equally divided between the mayoralty and assessor candidates. They relied upon their records for the past ten years to return them to pow CT, and they anxiously await results.
 From close observations, it would seem that the Atwater forces are the stronger and in larger numbers to- day. Sentiment has been decidedly in their favor, and betting this morning dropped from even money to 10 to and even to 4. Atwater is generally credited with having the full Demo cratic strength behind him, as we'll as votes.
 The transfer of the strength of an entire wing of the Republican party to the Democratic standard is another important factor in favor of Atwater. Such men have been particularly ac- tive to insure Wilson's defeat. at the same time fighting for the election of Atwa ter,
 The division of the Republican vot- CTS League and the old Republican in many districts the Voters League and Democratic headquarters are combined in the same room.
 One of the most important issues in the-c campaign has been for the con- trol of the Board of Assessors. Pe- culiar interest has been attracted to this office, largely through the Legis- iature's abclishment of the former tax comnnissionerhip, and the wrang- 1ings that have arisen over the con duct of this office under the old sys-- penn.
 The return of the Board of Asses sors was met by the administration thy putting forward as candidates, three employees of the old commis=a sioner. while the Democrats counters acted by three enSirely new men.
 The contest to fill the three berthss on the board is shaping itself into. the second most important battle of the day, closely following the contest for the mayoralty.
 The polls in the twelve districs were opened at six o'clock this morning, and will close promptly on the stroke of five tonight.