New Britain herald., 1930-03-29
Democratic Candidate for Mayor Expresses Belief New Britain Should Ap- proach Subject With Caution . Crowd Esti- mated at 5000 at T. A. B. Hall.

Naming the water project as the most important question before the taxpayers Of New Britain today, At torney P. F. McDonough, demo- cratic mayoralty nominee, opened his campaign last night at the Y. M. T. A. & B. society hall by point ing out the possibility of error in negotiation with Hartford and warning that a mistake made now will be paid for by succeeding gen. erations.
 Crowd Estimated at 5000
 Every seat in tire big auditorium was filled and no standing room was available when Mr. McDonough ar rived at the hall and began to march to the stage amid cheers and applause. Facing the gathering of nearly 5000, Attorney McDonoush declared he could not find words to express his appreciation for tho huge turnout. After few prclm- mary remarks, he advanced to the front of the stage to say:
 Word has just come to the hall, from authentic sources, that my op- ponent will be no less a parsonage than MT. Quigley."
 The candidate paused for a min ute while q broad smile spread across his face. and then he added: But. let me assure you, I'm ready for the fray" This announcement was greeted with applause.
 I'm at home and happy in this campaign, as l have had occasion to remark bcfore." spoke MT. McDon- ough. "I am going to conduct a clean, fair, but hard hitting cam- paign. And during this campaign I want it understood that no friend of mine, speaking in my behalf, is to say word to injurc the fair name of our city,
 Will Unmask "Real Question"
 T intend to bring home to the voters the real question of this cam palgn. l intend to unmask it. We nave been listening for two weeks to primary campaign and I have been cheerod and I have been in formed. The real vital, burning
 
 health, happiness and prosperity of our city and its citizens for gener- ations if not for centuries. You cannot afford to make a mistake. If you do, you'll pay dearly for it.
 "A great many people have asked mo why l consented to becomt a candidate after 25 years in public life during which time I stcadfastly refused to enter the arena. As my announcement to the public stated l did so only after due considera . tlon.' l did so only after l had tounsclled with my family and my friends. No selfish purpose prompt ed me; 1 decided to become a ,can- didato because of my desire to do something constructive, to the limit of my capacity, for the best inter- ests of our city.
 The issue in this campaign is tied up closely with the question of taxation. We must be careful for the next two years. The red light is set-don't go by the danger sig nal. The issue concerns the rich and the poor alike, the manufactur- CT and the great body of men and women who make up the workers in our factory, it knows no con- fines of street or ward no limita- tions of class or people, and nc political faction. Tho question has to do with the supply of water fo! the inhabitants and the industrias Of our city"
 Reviews Water Situation
 Extracting from his brief case q letter sent to him by former Mayor Quiglcy, Mr. McDonough spoke oi his appointment by the mayor to I commission to investigate the eN- pcnditure Of more than a million dollars on a filtration plant. on4 installmcnt in the water service troduction, by the City of Hartford ot a legislative bill to give Hart ford exclusive rights on the east branch of the Pennington river; 3i the rejection of this bill by the gen. cral assembly; of the appointment; Of an advisory committee to the water board, on which MT McDonough was named; and oi conferences with Hartford officials which led to the drafting of a bill under which Hartford and New Britain were authorized to negotiate for the sale and merger of water and water rights. He read the teN' of the bill, strcssing the fact thai the mayor holds the key to the slt- uation, no agreement becoming e!' fcctive until approved by him Continuing along this line o1 thought, he said:-
 There's where New Britain mus look out. and that is where the mayor comes in. The mayor o New Britain will be a very import ant parsonage in the negotiations o ( the next two years. He must bl about himself; he must act with eN treme caution. Hc must be ablo < call in the best minds and the bes , thought in the community for coun. sel, but he must be in such a posi- ton that by so doing he does no impose upon himself an obligation to any man or group.
 Studies situation for Two Years
 T have been after this water sit nation for the past two years. have been like a hound on the !. hunt. l have had my nose to thf ground, now and then leaves blew acros the trail and destroyed tho scent, but I have picked it IF again. In all of these negotiations I have not allowed myself to be