New Britain herald., 1930-11-19
HANGING THE STATE HIGHW POLICY

HlGHN Al POLICY
 One or the changes in state gov yrnment being forecast is that John A. Macdonald, highway commis- s}oner, will be retired after his term expires on July next Governor elect Gross is not expected 10 reap point Mr. Macdonald. The dean IS out for somebody with more Of an inclination 10 improve the rural highways.
 Of course, anyone selected hy Mr, Cross will have to be confirmed hy tho Republican legislature, Trad ing" on appointments is likely 10 cnsuo The legislators unquestion- ably will agree 10 political back scratching with the Governor and the latter will be compelled 10 join in the sport in order 10 ob'ain confirmation Of some Of his ap- pointments. One Of the Governors main appointments 0ill he a new highway commissioner.
 If Dean Cross nominates Charles Bennett as state highway commis- sioner he will be chosing an able and experienced man; but 1t Is doubtful whether confirmation can be obtained very easily, especially considering the expected opposition Of Mir Rorabach, Mr. Bennett, a Democrat, had been appointed un- der Governor Simeon E. Baldwin and for eight years served under two Republican governors. or until he incurred the djspIeasure of Mr. Eo-a back. Governor C. A. Temple tons attempt 10 put through com mission consisting of three persons failed through similar opposition, and the appointment Of Mir, Mac donald followed.
 Mir. Macdonald has obedlentIy followed Inc policies Of the Rora- back king5hip and has made no mis- steps. But he has lost his drag in q countrided Legislature through his insistence upon emphasizing the med for more improved main high ways. The formation of the Rural Roads Association has been 9 refIec- ton Of thg attitude Of dwellars along country roads. They have been dis satisfied with he highway crumbs and Dean Cross, making speeches in the small towns during the cam raign, lent a sympathetic ear 10 their complaints, giving the imprcs- sion he would do something for them if elected governor. The Dean is going to make good
 Robert Stevens. engineer in charge of the Hartford and Holland counties division of the highway dc partment, is even q more likely choice than Mir Bennett. seeing that nobody IS certain whether he is a Republican or Democrat and op- position by Mr. Roraback cannot be volI-foundcd. Mr. Stevens is no great shakes with Mr. Macdonald and the latter's assistant, Elmer Welden, for the simple reason that he has been a staunch supporter Of the rural roads movement. believing there should be more improvements made 10 gravel roads. This, on the other hand, fits in well with the ideas in rural Nutmegia, and it is quite ccr- tain that the nomination of MT Stevens will meet with widespread approval by the country legislators.
 How will New Britain fare with such change it may be well asked. The City Planning Commission has just issued a pamphlet which stipu lates the number Of additional arteries Of travel which this city reasonably needs. The attention of MT Macdonald has been called time and again to some. if not all. Of these road necessities, with no ac- ton taken by MT, Macdonald. Yet Mr. Macdonald's main weakness in ! the view of rural residents has been that he paid too much attention to the highways between cities.
 New Britain gave Dean Cross an outstanding plurality. We think that for this reason. as well as the fact ! We contribute heavily 10 state nigh i way funds, should bring about 1