The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-09-01

Administrator could not take ofiico until July 1, the only provision of the Merit System Law which became immediately operative was the one limiting political activity. AS Q mat ter of fact, it was not until August i2th that operating rules, submit- ted by Harry W. Marsh, were ap- proved by the Personnel Advisory Committee, and signed by His Excel- lency, the Governor.
 You appeared to know that the unfortunate fellow who lost his State Job on June 30th, was discharged because of the Merit System, but if you do, I must confess to some sur- prise that you will publicly pillory him in that respect. For you must know that dismissals enforced by the Merit System Law arc for incompe- tenoe, or for violation of the polit- ioal activity clause. Personally, l think you are mistaken In this case, and that his dismissal was purely on action by tho department in which he was employed, because of re duced appropriation which in no way was discreditabie to him. Don't you think you should Do sure in . matter affecting tho reputation Of Q brother citizen before you issue damaging statements like that In your column, entitled FEY WAY OF NO HARM"p
 As you must have perceived by now, the Merit System Law and itS operation D . subject which requires very thorough study, and while I ap. preciate your deep interest in tho Merit system, 1t grieveS mo consid. erably to have you pass Judgment without Q thorough knowledge Of the facts. I am referring in paftics ular to your comments on the Bridgeport Civii Service System. You say "As c matter of fact, Bridgeport had nothing to say about the adop- ton (os the Civii Service SysteEt) at oil. The System was imposed on the unhappy city by . special act of the General Assembly and the Byidgeportese were not consulted" Again Let's look at the record"
 Drldgeport was as close to bank ruptoy aS any city can be. A fellow by the name of MeLevy stated to the "Dridgeportese" that If they would permit him to put Into prac- tee his ideas with regard to the administratio of the city, and elect him Mayor, he might pull Bridge port out of c hole. He stated this could Dc done by instltuting c Mer. !t System. 50 thoroughly convinced tho "Dridgeportese" that . city could be well administered on biisi- ness basis through the Merit system that they voted him ia by . large majority. Following his pledge to the "Bridgeportese," Mayor McLevy himself introduced in the i03D as- sembiy c bill providing for the Merit System in the city of Bridgeport. It was only due to the fact that Mayor McLevy and his associates held the balance Of power in the State seHi- ate, that this leglslatlon was put through for the benefit of BridEe- port citizens. If the "Bridgeportese' under these clrcumStances, "had nothing to say about tho adoption Of the Civil Service system" 1t 8 very difiicuit to understand how Mayor McLevy not only became elected isl tho first place, but was also TO. elected. It Is not necessary for mo to state how well the System iS working in Bridgeport, for in . pub- lie address on June 30th Mayor Mo. Levy himself challenged anyone who believes otherwise, to meet him n open public debate and let the audi. orlce decide on the basis of facts, whether the Merit system b an ad- vantage to Bridgeport, and whether it can be an advantage to any other Connecticut city.
 Before closing, may ! pay tribute to your courage. You and the Hor- crable James A. Farley, Postmaster General of the United States, aro the only two people, who to my knowledge have the intestinal torti- tude, commonly called "guts," 10 publicly oppose the Merit system, which according to . Feliable poll, has 6 support Of 60 per cent of the people of the United states, and tho support Of el per cent of the people of Connecticut.
 Very truly yours.
 LAURENCH c. SMITH,
 Executive esnretary.