New Britain herald., 1930-10-31

ERNEST H. HUMPHREY
 Mayor Quiglcy and Chairman L. N, Humphrey of the board of puo- lie works were honored at a party at the Oalldale tavern in Walling- ford last night in observance of their respective birthday anniversaries which occurred this month, and the manner in which they were kept Fl the dark until the right time to spring the surprise convinced them that despite their long connection with politics, there are some tricks which can be worked on them.
 William H. Hall, former city en- gineer, took MT. Humphrey to New Haven yesterday to play golf, and was careful not to give him the slightest inkling of what was to fol- low. Mayor Quigley had been in formed that the party was to be ''on" MT. Humphrey and he kept the secret, agreeing to be at the tavern as soon as possible after delivering an address at the republican rally in l. 0. o. F. halk
 In the meantime, members of the board of public works and officials and employees of the department, went to the tavern and waited for . Mir. Hall and Mir. Humphrey. MT. Hall knew the party would be late getting under way, so he contrivel to keep MT. Humphrey occupied aft CT the golf game, but MT. Humph- rey was hungry and suggested that they stop off at the tavern for din- ner. That was Lucky break" for MT. Hall, for it was to the tavern he knew he must guide his com- panion without arousing his sus- .picions, and away they went togeth- CT.
 Seated in a private dining room, they were about to order dinner when the door opened and in marched the celebrators, taking MT. Humphrey completely by surprise. He had been completely taken in, not a solitary hint of what was con- ing having reached him.
 After dinner Mayor Quigley. who arrived about 10 o'clock, was intro duced as toastmaster and presented MT. Humphrey with smoking set. The mayor thought then that the surprise had been we'll carried out but the next moment he realized that he, too, had been duped, for Building Inspector A. N. Rutherford stepped up with a smoking set for His Honor
 The affair was most enjoyable in every respect. Old times were talk ed over and some of those in attend ance learned things they had never before heard of about the political history of the city. The republican caucus fight in 1910 between MT. Humphrey and Orson r. Curtis for the mayoral nomination was recall ed. Mayor Quigley at that time hay ing been aligned with the Curtis forces. MT. Curtis defeated Mir. Humphrey but the bitterness that was engendered resulted in a bolt by the Humphrey supporters on election day and the democratic
 
 victorious.
 Mayor Quigley and Mir. Curtis had political falling out little later, however, and locked horns in menu orable contests several times. Mr. Halloran served two terms as mayor before Mayor Quigley defeated him ill 1914 and it was Mr. Curtis who 0-ro nJ- -pI l~
 ming by wrestling the republican nomination from him in the primary of 1920. As fate would have it. MT. Curtis followed up his victory by q win over MT. Halloran at the polls only to have Mayor Quigley defeat him for the nomination two years later. Again the fight in the repub l,can party was so fierce that Curtis supporters went over to the demo- cratic nominee, Angelo M Paonessd, and he won at the polls over Mayor Quigley.
 Among those at the party were Public Works Commissioners Mat thew l.. Kennedy, Thomas D. Don- Ian, Harry J. Battistoni, Howard A. 'rimbrell, Samuel w. Menus. Secro- 1ary Thomas r. McGrath, City E,n gineer r. A. Merriam, Inspector Fred A. Murphy, Paymaster Frank Hing worth, Foreman George Eveline. Ike r. Hills of the employment bureau Building Inspector A. N. Rutherford, Chairman Martin H. Horwitz of the municipal garage commission, Su- pcrlntendent Joseph M. O'Brien Of the street department, John F. Leahy, mechanic, Superintendent Michael F. OBrien of the sewer de partment. Assistant City Engneec George J. Molleur, Superintendent John Burns of the subway depart