The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-04-14

entS of the bill was that there is no necessity to suppress the press any further. that the papers of the state are not libeling anybody and that they do not intend to do so The high caliber of the Connecticut press was pointed to. The danger in adding to the present libel law was explained in various ways and 1t was pointed out that newspaper could be an innocent defendant ill a libel suit merely through a typo graphical error. At this point, when MT. Waldo was bringing out this point, Senator E. Gaynor Brennan of Stamford, a member of the com mittee, said: T suppose that if you wrote Senator Hagearty's obituary and said May he rest in peace and 1t came out May he roast in peace, you could be sued. >
 Difficulty in providing the truth of stories due to the lapse of their appearance and the time of the actual suit through the changing around of reporters and editors was pointed to by Roger Connolley, managing editor of the New Haven Register.
 'sThe Connecticut law as 1t now stands is a protection against whole sale suits," Attorney Creedon de- clared. He termed the Lawlor meas ure 8 serious challenge to the free- dom of the press.
 Guild Bill
 Before the same committee the bill sponsored by the Waterbury Newspaper Guild granting immunity to newspapermen as far as disclos- ing the source of their information is concerned was heard. Howard Comstock, managing editor of the Bridgeport Herald, spoke for the bill, declaring that reporters should be, protected just as doctors and lawyers are in handling confidential matters. There were two such bills before the committee, one introduc- ed by Senator George T. Culhane 6i Waterbury and the other by Repre-. sentative William c. Hungertord oi WatertoWn.
 Committee Split
 Senator Culhane's bank commit tee, it has been learned, is split on the small loan bill heard week ago It Is said that the members oi the senate committee on banks favors a two per cent. rate, as pro- posed in Senator Anthony Telescs of Torrington, while the house metn- bers of the committee want a. two and one-half per cent. rate. Efforts are being made to reach a com promise.
 Fitzpatrick Attends
 Edward Fitzpatrick of theL Loew-P Pol theater was among those attending the hearing before the finance com Inittee yesterday afternoon on the Thoms bill imposing a special tax on a1nuSementS, club dues and in- itiation fees. The theater men stat. ed that they are paying enough taxes to the state now and added that the public will be the sufferers If au additional tax is levied. Represen- tative Daniel J. Mahaney stated that the Elks Club of Waterbury is op- posed to the measure.
 Culhane Victory
 Senator Culhane scored 8 victory yesterday afternoon in the senate when, over strong g. 0. p opposition he succeeded in having passed a bill giving the state bank commis- sioner authority to remove a bank official whom he finds conducting his institutions business in a man. ner injurious to the depositors Senator Brennan of Stamford, re- publican, contended that the present banking advisory council, of which Lewis S. Reed of Waterbury is a member, is sufficient authority. This bill keeps crooked bank off, cials out of office. Practically all the bank officials of the state are for the bill" asserted Senator Culhane. The bill passed.
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 Australia is abolishing the sales