The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-10-15

conception, and untainted in it's ex- ecution, and dedicated to those things of people at large rather than any particular element in our conner cial industrial or other life.
 Since the real issues of the cam paign have been decided against Mayor Wilson and his fellow-candi- dates by the popular vote in the Re- publican Primaries, 1t remains for them to divert attention as much as issues. And so it has come to my at tention during the past few days that Q great deal of propaganda has been initiated, directed toward me per sonally. Most of this has been con- fined to statements that some years ago I made an assertion relative to the eight-hour day which reflected upon workmen in general It is my understanding that these alleged statements are appearing in so many forms that it would now seem that I must have made an entire speech.
 l want to say to you at this time ments at any time which reflected up on either workmen or the eight-hour day. It is true that was very badly misquoted some years ago. l recall that during the agitation for the eight hour day l was interviewed by a young reporter, who asked me to tell him what I thought of the eight-hour day. l told him that as yet I was nOE COnV1nCeu that the e1SnC-nOuT uay had fully demonstrated it's real econo- mic value either to labor or to capi- tai. then went on to say that apart from the question of the eight-hour day and looking at it from my own personal standpoint, I felt that too much leisure in my own case might be a detriment, since I might be in- clined to spend it in the clubs to which I belong, and if I were not careful, might get into dissipation; and that I hoped that, so far as I am concerned, I could always afford to keep busy and thereby keep out of trouble. I said that the same thing might be true of workmen, for when a man is out of work, he like myself, must find amusement, and felt that most of my fellowmen might be in clined to do in their own way the same as I might do in my own way. I further said that was not an enemy of the eight-hour day and that if it's economic value on trial could be dem would be pleased to help to main tain 1t more than I myself.
 When this interview appeared in the newspaper, I could not recognize the child of my chat, for it was ab- breviated, corrupted, changed and otherwise dealt with until I could not recognize it. I am pleased to say that in my judgment, experience has dem onstrated the economic value of the eight-hour day both to employer and to employee. and I hope the day will never return when we shall revert to anything different.
 mention this matter in passing, only because I know that my friends will endeavor to make capital out of the misquotation in question and I wanted you to clearly understand at the outset just what the facts are.
 It is also stated that because I am a manufacturer I must be allied with some terrible powers who are opposed to a clean and unbiased -adnntnistra- tion. I need only say in reference to this that I am very little fellow in the manufacturing world. l have a little plant constructed of wood, where I endeavor to give employment to a comparatively few men. If I am elected mayor of this city, I shall seek advice from everyone who l no one or no class of men. you may be assured, are going to tell me what I shall do.
 It is not my intention this evening do not feel that you will expect me now to go into details. It is owing you, however, that I state frankly and without reservation in a general way the principles for which I shall contend in placing the cause of the Democratic Party before the elector- ate of the city.
 I believe that the time has come when Bridgeport must revise its sys- tenn of expenditures, and that the charter of the city must again become a guiding influence in the conduct of city affairs. I believe that the system of cost-pluS contracts under which hundreds of thousands of dollars have been recklessly (and, I fear, some times dishonestly) expended, must be ended. I believe that the pernicious system of diverting moneys from the purposes to which they are appro- prtated to purposes unauthorized, should be stopped. I believe that the hour has struck when we must devote a major shade of our attention to our school systems to the end that there shall be aL sufficient number of schools 70 adequately care for our increasing population, so that every child shall have an opportunity to receive a full time education in a clean, ,wel1-lig ght ed, sanitary school room, and that we must concentrate our every effort to bring about this condition.
 hold the conviction that our sys- tenn of taxation must be so suited and so regulated that every person. firm and corporation shall have the assur- ance that he, they or it shall receive fair treatment in the assessment of properties, without distinction as be- tween business men. manufacturers or home-owners, and without favor itism for anyone or for any class, and that the conduct of city affairs shall be so ordered that the moneys pass tenn of taxation shall be a guaranty of it's proper, legitimate and hones! expenditure. I maintain that it is not sufficient to afford beantifu1 school buildings. but that pNer attention