The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-08-28
Political Gossip


 publican caucuses or primaries tonight, the purpose being to elect delegates to the various party conventions. As in Wa terbury, many of the com munities of tine state will be the scenes of bitter intra- party strife and, as result, party leaders thrOughuOt Connecticut are watching the outcome of the various battles with interest. While the var ious factional fights arc being deplored by some, most of the leaders of the g. o. ?. are said to be pleased that they are taking place, taking the stand that such contests mean new life in the organization. It is needless to point out that there has been much life in the Waterbury g. o. p. ranks during the past. two weeks, with the organization and re- organization groups practic- ally at each others throats.
 Interest in the local pri- maries of the g. o. D. centers on tho outcome of the ques- tion of who will control the town committee. This seems to be the main local question throughout the state. How ever, the leaders are also watching to see what the makeup of state delegates will be in view of the fact that there are now six candidates in the race for the guberna- torial nomination. They are States Attorney Hugh M. AL corn of Hartford and Arthur M. Brown of New London. ex- Senator Albert Lavery of Fair field, Louis c. Tolles of South- ington, former master of the State Grange, Lieutcnant-GOv. ernor Roy Wilcox of Meridcn and former Lieutenant Cover nor Clifford B. Wilson of Bridgeport.
 Representative William F. Templeton of Kent, one of the leaders of the house on the 2. 0. D. side in the last two sessions of the legislature, has come out behind the candf- dacy of Attorney Alcorn. The unusual part of this endorse ment is the fact that Mir. Tenn pleton is member of the State Milk Control board whose equalization plan was defeated in a court case earlier this year in which Att tOrncy AlcOrn was counsel for the opposing side.
 States Attorney Alcorn and Brown do not intend to at tend the party caucuses in their respective home towns, Suffield and Griswold, tonight. In Meriden, Lieutenant-G Cover nor Wilcox heads a slate of delegates to the state cOnven- ton. In Meriden this after noon a primary will take place to settle control of the town committee and the town chair- manship. In Fairfield, ex-Sen- ator Lavcry heads the state convention slate of the town committed. Yesterday an in- surgent movement threatened to unSeat him but it failed to materialiZe. In New Britain, Louis w. Keith, one of the seven candidates in the pri- mary to name six delegates to the state convention, has an- nounccd that he will support Attorney Alcorn. The six other delegates are understood to be behind Wilcox. The outcome of the fight, therefore, will be interesting.
 In Middletown, State Gen. tral Committeeman Henry Hansen is being forced to fight for reelection to the state body. His opponent is Leo B. Santangelo. In Stratford the biennial fight between the Wheeler and Lewis factions will be waged tonight at the caucuses. In New Haven the Fully forces will go up against the Willard group. The latter group is in control. Fully seeks to Oust Willard from the central committee and gain control of the town committee.
 Last night, John M. Heffer- nan, veteran member of the democratic state central com mittee from TOrringtOn and a member of the labor depart. ment's staff, ran into sur- prise opposition at a meeting of the 3Oth district delegates to the state convention. He was opposed for reelection to the central committee by Pat rick Phelan, backed by Repre- sentative Anthony Telesca town clerk of TOrringtOn and an "old-guard Smith" man. Hef- fernan won out IS to il. How ever, Phclan got the bulk of the TOrrington delegates, in- dicating that the Heffernan strength has slipped in the factory inspectors home town. There was no opposition to the reelection of Mrs Susan Hoben to the central cOmmit- tee.
 Alderman Charles F. SciullO of this city will preside at a meeting of the Federation of Italian American Democratic clubs in New Haven on Satur- day at which time an indOrse- ment of ono of the Organiza- tiOn'S members for a place on the state ticket will be an- nOunced. The indOrsement is- expected to go to Dr. c. John Satti of New London. The New London physician, a leader of the Young Democratic clubs of Connecticut, is being mem tiOned for the post of secre- tary of state.
 Five of the six present con- gressmen in Connecticut are