The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-03-09
Especial to the Dcmocrap

AIiddletown, March 9.-Declaring that Senator Hiram Bingham and State Senator John F. Lynch must have been making rather feeble eff fort to appear humorous at the re- cent Mckinley dinner in Hartford, when they criticized the democrats of Connecticut, for lack of construc- tive legislation, Minority House Leader William NJ. Citron to-day re- viewed the legislation backed by the democratic party during the present session of the general assembly. :.
 Tn view of the comprehensive program backed by the legislative members of the democratic party of Connecticut said MT Citron. q am forced to believe that Senator Bing- ham and Lynch were endeavoring to be humorous. But, so that there may be no mistake in the minds of the people of the state, I would like to review few of the bills lacked by our party. This review has the approval of Governor Cross and Sem ate Minority Leader Frank s. Ber- gin of New Haven.
 'Jn respect to the courts of the state the democrats backed the dis trict court bill,a proposed by the ju- dicial council and sponsored by Gov crnor Cross. The bill was defeated after fights in both branches of the legislature but we still approve of it's principle.
 I've believe that the governor of Connecticut, regardless of party dis tinction, should have stronger veto powers, and we are backing house bill 25, which I had the honor of presenting. giving the governor 30 days in which to consider bills and requiring two-thirds vote to over ride his veto.
 We are backing senate bill 291, presented by Senator Bergin call- ing for commission to consider consolidation of the departments handling the business of the state This is in line with the suggestion of Governor Cross in his inaugural address and in the interest of good business.
 ''The democratic party is backing the rural roads bill (house bill ID presented by Representative Temple ton (r) which calls for an alloca- ton of $5.000,000 for the improve ment of rural roads. We are solid- ly behind the efforts of those living in the rural districts to secure an adequate appropriation for this most necessary work.
 i've are backing old age pension and will support house bill 291 which has hearing on March IS. . We will do our utmost to aid the aged indigent secure financial se- curlty. We are working for re- adjustment of tax burdens and are supporting senate bill 261, presented by Senator Bergin calling for the creation of commission to study the tax system.
 "In respect to prohibition we are backing two bills, one calling for a national convention to discuss this vital subject and the other asking gress. In addition I have pre- sented a petition for a referendum that the people of the state may say for themselves what action they would like to take.
 "The democratic legislators" con- tinued MT Citron, "are supporting Governor Cross proposal to strengthen the powers of the publlc utility commission. Bills for the regulation of securities, filing of rates, power to initiate proceedings and for accounting have been sub mitted to the senate. Senator Hack ett has introduced senate bill .259 which would cut the penalty tax from 12 per cent to 9 per cent while Senator Goldstein has presented sen ate bill 25S for identification of the statutes for those unable to meet tax obligations and favoring the elimin- ation. of body warrants. We are backing house bill 7S1 exemptine married women and widows from the personal tax.
 "A plank in the democratic plat form last fall called for liberalizing the teachers pension fund. We are backing that plank by supporting three bills House bill 761 calls for a commission of five to study the situation and senate bill 390 pro- poses board to act on the matter while senate bill 1O1 is blank bill which may eventually be drawn to meet the results of the investigations of any commission or board which may be created.
 We are backing all bills for the encouragement of the fish and she'll fish industries of Long Island Sound
 We have already appeared Tn support of senate bill 120 presented