The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-05-15
Hauptnaar1n Case M
 Ne1v Jersey Politics
sContinued from Page D

"confession" from Paul H. Wendell Arch w. Loney, the Hoffman wood expert, who contradicted trial tess timony that the kidnap ladder was Hauptmanns handiwork, has just been fired from his federal job in Washington. If Gov. Hoffman inc tervened to delay Hauptmann's execution for the political purpose of confusing his democratic ene- mics and, Incidentally, improving his own position in the republican party, the governor is frank enough in his denial. I asked him about that.
 Don't Decide That Way
 q don't make important decisions that way" he replied.
 "In my time have kissed Q lot of babies. I have waved the flag. I have talked aS much hokurn as any politician. But when I make an important decision, I let the votes 90 to hell"
 He said that self.confessed inde- pendence of spirit was one of his major troubles. Hoffman and Fort arc two of five candidates to be elected by New Jersey to the four delegate -at-large seats to which the state is entitled at the republican national convention. Both men are pledged to Landon. The Kansas governor can rest easy regardless of Jerseys decision whether Haupt. mann's electrocution was premature or much delayed.
 Survived WhlrIwInd
 I sat in Hoffman'S office asking questions because he is Q republi- can who survived the democratic whirlwind which has been blowing since 1882. wanted to know what q great many Washington politi- clans would like to know: Why Q man with 6 first class chance at Q position on the 1886 national re- publican ticket would kick 1t away in defense of Hauptmann or any other criminal.
 During his first months in office any one-to-three list of likely re- publican vice presidential nominees would have included the name of Harold c. Hoffman. He had dem- onstrated his ability to get votes. His state was big and politically irn- portant. He was an easterner and the republican presidential nomin- ation was sure to 90 west.
 Blocks Political Trail
 A combination of an unpopular tax program and the Hauptmann reprieve blocked the political trail for Gov. Hoffman. Politicians in Washington have marvelled at the speed with which the governor moved himself out of the select so- ciety of so-called available candi- dates. Hoffman had been elected to public ofIice 14 times when New Jersey put him in the executive of- flee. He was on his way.
 The New Jersey newspapers and public bolted Hoffman on the is- sue of taxation. The governor wanted an income tax and a sales tax. He says the proceeds would have put the state and its political sub divisions on Q business basis in dealing with relief and other costly problems. Hoffman's enemies be- lieve he was acting for out-state owners of New Jersey bonds who feared their investments were jeo- pardized and demanded new taxes to guarantee debt service charges.
 Tax Plan Jarred Hoffman
 Whatever the cause, the tax plan jared Hoffman in New Jersey. The income tax was defeated but the legislature voted a sales tax which lasted just four months before 1t was repealed.
 That tax was raising S2.000, 900 a month when we lost it," Hoffman told me. "Our relief bur- den has gone back to the nunici- palities now. The municipalities get no aid from the state. The state gets no aid from the federal government. The local authorities have enough money for . few weeks and then we arc through.
 '.The state bonds arc ill good shape" he continued. "But the lo- cal governments are in hook to the banks. They have to borrow money. Sixty per cent og the expense of all government in this state is for debt servicc--paylng interest and prin- nfr.aa nra s,nnov already Rnnnt. I