New Britain herald., 1928-10-22
RORABACK PLAYED
 AT LEGION RALLY Pickett Attacks (. 0. P. Boss-
 0Sulhvm,Do Speak FALSE ALARM OF FIRE
Bremen Make Long Run in Vain Man Threw Knife At Wife-Hi2h School and Blues Win Games 166 New Voters Made-Bricfs,

1s8 New Voters Sfade-Bricfs.
 Charges that J. Henry Roraback. chairman of the republican state central committee, iobbied out of existence a proposed bond issue Of $lo,o00,Oo0 for state institutions were made yesterday afternoon at the bipartisan rally in the Strand theater by John F. Pickett of Mid dletown. democratic nominee for state comptroller. MT. Pickett said that Senator Frederic c. Walcott had proposed such a bond issue. but that Roraback and other prominent re- publicans gathered at the Hartford club on March 8, 1927, and, after the party had drunk much ice water, it was decided that there would be no bond issue. Now. what right did he have to do this? I am unable to find where he has ever been chosen for office by electors in this state"
 MT. Pickett assailed the Trumbuil administration for alleged failure to Keep up the state institutions. He criticised it's action in turning down the offer of land at Crescent beach made some years ago by Anson T. McCook for such purposes. He also read reports to show that almost 500 applicants were awaiting admission 10 the Mansfield home and declared that inadequate facilities at the state insane institutions are prevent ing many from receiving needed care. The speaker confined himself entirely state issues.
 l Former Congressman P. R. O'SuI- nvan Of Orange was another demo- cratic speaker at the rally and went into the national issues. He praised Governor Smith and spoke highly of his record. He also called atten- t'on to the fact that one of the leading Smith supporters is Owen ID. Young, executive of the General Electric Co.,. with which the local Trumbull Electric Mfg. Co. is con- nected.
 George Le Witt of New Britain. democratic candidate for secretary or state and lessee of the theater in which the rally was held. made a brief speech while actually stand ing on his own platform"
 Judge Joseph M. Donovan of Bris- tol was the lone republican speaker at the rally. He pleaded for a con- tlnuance in power of the party which has brought such prosperity to the country. He said he disagreed with Herbert Hoover on the question of prohibition. He attacked those on both sides who were using religion as an issue. saying that he was born an Irish Catholic in a democratic family but was firm republican by conviction.
 Commander Theodore Fanion of Brock Barnes post. American Le- zion. the organization sponsoring the rally. presided and was assisted by Ralph L. Seymour. chairman of the republican town committee. and by William J. Foran. the democratic chairman.
 c. T. LaBonne sang several solos. and few musical numbers were rendered by the Hoover girls from New Britain. James J. Graham and Miss l.. Ethel Prior took turns at the organ.
 There were about 150 persons present at the rally.
 Much Smoke, No Fire
 The fire department made it's longest possible run this morning but made it in vain. for an alarm sent in about 9:15 o'clock for a sup posed fire in the icehouse at White Oak proved to be false. An em- ploye at the icehouse was burning leaves behind the large building, and a great column of smoke rising over i and curling along the roof made it look as if the structure were on fire. An alarm was sent in and all three pieces of fire apparatus sped over the two-mile course. When the firemen first arrived it still looked as if a bad fire had to be fought. but it