The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-10-18
No Politics Played
 In, Tax Department
Commissioner Hackett Replies to InsinuatiOns of Pre-
 decessor- Counter Charges Made in Letter

i, of the 18th amendment, legal izing the sale of alcoholic bev. erages other than wine and beer, | 1t was found necessary that ono additional examiner be employ. ed, as requested in my letter of November 2f, 1888. No excess
 help is employed in this divis- ion"
 So much for the statement that Governor Cross has loaded up the Tax Department with political jobs.
 The other part of the statement | implies that the efficiency of this department has been greatly low cred. In reply to this statement may I say that MT Farwell Knapp, MT Arthur Potter, MT Joseph Egan, heads, respectively, in the Inher- itance, Municipal and Corporation Divisions, have stated that their di- visions have not been less efficient than they were under MT Blodgett. As the Excise Division is, probably, particularly referred to in this statement, MT Goodrich, head of that division, wrote meI stating: .Tn my opinion the efficiency of this division has not been less-
 ened since you have held the
 office of Tax Commissioner.
 As the question of efficiency has been brought up, may I mention the fact that an appointee of mine in the Municipal Division, during the last year has uncovered ir- regularities in the records of tax officials in several towns of the State. These irregularities go back for several years under MT Blod- gett's administration, and the ques- ton may be fairly asked,-why were not these irregularities dis covered by Mir Blodgett while he was Tax Commissioner?
 It comes with poor grace for Mir Blodgett to reflect upon Ahe efficiency of these men, appointecs of his own, who have in one short wear, according to MT Blodgett, be- come inefficient. I feel that an injustice has been done these men, as all reports I have received about their work have been highly com plimentary to them.
 As to the statement that Cover nor Cross is responsible for load ing up the Tax Department with political jobs, and thus interested with the efficiency of this work ] can only say that this is mis- statement of fact. When Governor Cross swore me in as Tax Com missioner, he told me that, in hia opinion, the Tax Department was one of the most if not the most important department in the State Government, and that should make changes very slowly in this department. The records show that l have followed his advice.
 wish to say. with all possible emphasis, that Governor Cross, from the day of my appointment as Tax Commissioner, has never suggested directly or indirectly, the employment of single clerk in this department. Such a state- ment is an absolute misrepresen- tation of facts. It must be a mat ter of keen disappointment to the friends of MT Blodgett to learn that he has felt called upon to do such a gross injustice to Governor Cross.
 What motives prompted MT Blodgett to make this statement, leave to others to determine. Per sonally, I hope that the good people of Colebrook will not, in the slightest degree, lose their confidence in Governor Cross. May I say in conclusion that the State of. Connecticut is, indeed, fortunate, and the people of the State should be happy in having as their chief executive a man so kind in nature, so benevolent in disposition, and so versatile in accomplishments; man who, at all times, has reflected honor and distinction upon the State and its people, and d man whose sole am bition is to faithfully serve the Commonwealth he loves so we'll.
 Very truly yours,
 w. H. HACKETT,
 Tax Commissioner.