The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-22
ASSEMBLY, HOPES
 TO ELIMINATE
 EXTRA SESSION
Members Plunge Into the Tasks Facing Them;
 Merit System Split
BY GEORGE R. MORRIS, JR. fFJnffeil PFeaa Sfaff COrFespOndent)

BY GEORGE R. MORRIS, JR. Limited Press Stan COrrespOndent)
 Hartford, Conn, Feb 22-(U.P) Hoping to avoid further threats of a special session, the general as- snmbly has plunged feverishly into the task of preparing the gover- nOr's governmental reorganization bills to facilitate early action on the demands for economical oper- alton and re-establishment Of merit system.
 Before going into four-day lay ofI over the holiday and weekend. the judiciary committee drafted bills abolislIing the department or domestic animals and transferring its authority to the department of agriculture, and whipped into shape a civil service proposal even more stringent than the system abandoned under Governor Ever cit J. Lake in 1921.
 Merit System Divided
 The committee, however, did not commit itself to support of the bills which have ben turned over to the executive for approval.
 Under the proposed merit sys- tenn, state employees have been dl- vided into three classes, classified. unciassified and exempted.
 Classified employees include clerks. stenographers ana general clerical help: unclassified covers unskiIled labor and exempted would consti- tute elective and appointive offi- cials, commissioners and general assembly assistants.
 The number of exempted has been greatly reduced in compari- son with the old system.
 Because the proposal will slash deeply into patronage jobs, 1t IS slated for prolonged wrangling in both houses, with the possibility of severe revision or absolute rejec- ton.
 Civil service is a strong point with the three socialist senators and 1t is likely they will line up with the democrats to insist upon it's ap- plication to state jobs.
 Coroner Battle Is On
 Another fight loomed over the proposal to abolish the office of coroner, except at Hartford for state police investigation purposes.
 Several attempts have been made fin previous sessions toward this goal without success. The office is highly remunerative and carries al- most unlimited authority.
 Fearing that an attempt was be- ing made to defeat approval of the federal child labor amendment, the senate tabled a child labor meas ure prohibiting employment of minors under 16 in manufacturing and mercantile establishments. and under IS in hazardous occupations.
 "We want to find out what it's all about" said democratic floor leader Senator Raymond J. Devlin.
 Nocialist Senator John NJ. Taft turned his objection into an accu- sation.
 "Tm not going to allow anyone to use this bill as a club against the child labor amendment to the constitution" he said. "If we pass this bill now, understand an at- terupt vii lbe made to use 1t as an argument against approving the amendment"
 The Connecticut Federation of Labor strenuously opposed, through Secretary John J. Egan, a bill permitting women 21 years or olderf to work in restaurants be- twen 10 p. m. and a. m.
 Pay Envelope Fight
 Manufacturers objected before the labor committe to a bill stipu- lating all pay envelopes show the number of hours an employe work ed each week and the amount of pay received. They declared it too expenslve~while labor supporters contented it would tighten the laws against sweatshops underpaying or withholding wages.
 Proposals to reduce motor ve- hicle registration fees were aired late yesterday before the motor vehicles committee.
 Highway Commissioner Michael A. Connor, sponsoring the bill, said the reduction would cut income about $2,300,000 next year. Mac Donald said this would leave his department only $25,0O0 to com plete 275,00O,000 worth of con struction and deprive the state of $400,000 annually from the federal gOVernment