davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Jail Farm

Two years ago the General AS
sembly was not ready to take final
action on the recommendation Of
a commission that strongly advo-
Gated the purchase OF land for a
Jail farm somewhat like the o.
born prison farm. So the COM
mission was continued for further
consideration Of the proposal. 1t
was generally conceded that such
farm would be conducive to the
rehabilitation of first offenders.
but considerable opposition to the
project developed among county
officials. This opposition has since
much abated. The time has come
In my opinion for an adjustment
Of the relations between the state
and tho counties so that we may
now take the first step toward a
state jail farm by purchasing the
necessary land and by beginning
the construction Of buildings
thereon after q careful survey OF
similar corrective institutions In
other states.
1t has also occurred to me that
in the meantime we might well
use one or more OF the abandoned
C. G. c. camps. which are now the
property of the state, as an ex-
pertinent In placing on the land
selected groups of young men con-
victed of misdemeanors. Accom-
modations for several hundred are
now available. There would be
work for them in the state forests;
and equipment might be supplied
for instruction in the trades.
The commission authorized by
the General Assembly two years
ago for acquiring site for q new
training school for the feeble
minded has purchased Large and
most suitable tract Of land In
South Britain, in the township OF
Southbury, and Is proceeding with
plans for an institution OF the
farm and village type such as Is
In accord with the most scientific
methods now in practice for the
care and mental development OF
detectives of all degrees. trust
that there may be no undue delay
In providing funds for an institu-
ton for which the state stands IN
immediate need.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06

a., ,r.oLer ~ the ho,,se but was
defeated. as expected, for this Of.
flee by Rep. ]. Mortimer Bel from
the town OF Salisbury, VINO was
the g. o. p. nominee. Rep. Moan
Swayne Of Darien, republican, was
elected majority leader and also
chairman OF the judiciary commit
tee. All these elections were pre-
dicted in the Democrat some weeks
ago. Rep. Thoms was also named
to the Judiciary committee. O posi-
ton he has held for the past two
sessions.
Chaplains Named
One Of Senator Sosep., H. Law.
hr,s f,rst acts as president pro tenn
- A. .4~k~ ,>~~%n ~,,or 10 va ~, N IN n
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Urges General Assembly To Consider
Taxes, Bond Issue, Building Program,
Unemployment

tional buildings and . new distri-
button system for the heating plant
at the Connecticut State College
at a cost Of q ,O00. 900; and new
buildings for the Teachers College
Of Connecticut In New Britain ut
q cost Of $780, 900. II. Is has been
advocated by citizens In different
parts Of the state, you decide TO
make the three normal schools
teachers colleges by adding another
year Of instruction, the additional
annual expense for conducting
these three institutions would be
altogether @60, 900 or more. You
will probably desire to canvass
anew the whole problem Of train
ing our teachers for the best In
terest Of our schools.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06

| are the ones which Roosevelt and
advisers have definitely decided
should be created.
Roosevelt agrees with Secretary
Ickes that the name of the De-
parement OF Interior should DE-
changed to Department Of Con-
Servation.
Possibility OF a third new depart
ment has been discussed. large
ly because there are so many New
Deal agencies to be fitted In un-
der the departmental shelter. One
proposal OF the inner circle Is for a
Department Of Economic Stabiliza-
ton. which would include certain
agencies and perhaps one or two
new ones.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06

bringing together employers and
employees. Not counting COM
plants and minor disputes, the
board has successfully interviewed
In thirty-three strikes or lock-
outs. In only four instances has
It been necessary to resort to ar.
bitration. In q few cases. perhaps
in only two desperate ones, has 1t
been impossible to bring about
settlement. Altogether the board
has made large contribution To
Industrial harmony.
For more than q year the de-
Inand for skilled labor In our In
dustries has far outstripped the
supply. The State Trade Schools
are doing their part In the enner-
gency by enlarging their facilities
for the initial stages Of training
for occupations requiring the
highest skill. There is also devel-
oping shortage OF semi-skilled
labor; and there is a growing de-
mand for urlskilled labor. Since
1888 the State Employment Ser
vice Of the Labor Department has
been working In cooperation with
the U. s. Employment Service on
a basis whereby the State and the
Federal government match dollar
for dollar in the support Of four
teen public employment Offices In
the industrial centers Of the state.
without any charge to employers
or employees. The placements hi
private employment are now run
ming more than fifty percent over
two years ago.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06

Mr.. President. Mr.. Speaker, and
Members Of the General As
sembly:-
This Is one Of the few formal
occasions where meet the three
distinct departments" Of our
government, which In our early
history were essentially but one
magistracy. The chief justice Is
here to administer the usual
oaths Of office. The general as
sembly Is here to listen to the
chief executive, who Is directed
by the Constitution to give you
information on the state of the
government as a whole and to
recommend to your consideration
such measures as he deems ex-
pedient. 1t is good for us all to
be together In this legislative hall
for the promotion of friendly I'M
Outstanding. May partisanship
b. given q six-months holiday at
least. Through all that we do may
there run the purpose OF doing
the most good to the most people
in a well-ordered commonwealth
such as Connecticut has been for
three centuries.
The six years during which I
have held the office Of governor
noarly correspond with a period
of industrial and agricultural de-
preston unprecedented In the
history Of the republic. The prob
lens which have confronted us
have been the problems Of adj
ve-sity. If Connecticut has suf-
fered less than many other states,
1t has been largely because OF the
variety of our industries and the
skilful management Of our manu-
featuring corporations. With the
generous assistance Of the feder-
al government large work projects
for the relief Of the unemployed
have been we'll administered by
municipalities, by the state ener-
gency relief commission, and by
national agencies. Laws have been
enacted against the employment
OF children under the age Of six
teen in manufacturing industries
and for the protection Of workers
against unsanitary conditions,
hazardous enterprises, and sweat
shops. Maximum hours OF labor
have been reduced for women and
minors; and industrial homework
has been prohibited. Much still
remains to be done.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Planning

The State Planning Board which
was created by the General As.
sembly In 1885 and given q life
Of two years, has proved to be.
with the financial assistance Of
the federal government, Of most
valuable service In variety OF
ways as a fact-finding body for
other state agencies. 1t should
now be given q permanent lease on
life like similar boards In most
other states Of the Union unless
Its founctions are to become part
OF another state agency.
A commission on the revision Of
the financial responsibility laws
as they refer to the operation Of
motor vehicles has made a report
which deserves the most careful
attention because Of Its vital rec
concentrations affecting both In
jured persons and injuring motor
lists. In addition to this commits
sion, felt compelled year ago
to appoint q commission OF
twenty-one citizens IN various
walks of life to study all
means for securing safety on the
roads. Every phase OF the sub
ject Is being canvassed. In the
meantime, I am glad to inform
you that the number Of fatal &C
cidents ON our streets and high
ways Is showing an encouraging
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Special Session

In November I called the Cen
eral Assembly in special session
partly to take action on an I'm
employment Compensation Act In
conformity with the Federal So
cial Security Act before january
/, 1887, a date which Congress
had set as the deadline. The aim
OF the Unemployment Compensa-
ton Act, which was duly passed
by our legislature and approved by
the Federal Social Security Board.
is to assist workers to tide over
short setbacks In business. 1t does
not claim to supply adequate
benefits for long periods OF de-
preston. The session closed with
the passage Of q Housing Act
which will enable municipalities
to clean up and rebuild dilapidat-
ed and unsanitary tenement dis
tricts with the aid Of the Federal
government.
In the opinion Of some lawyers,
the Federal Social Security Act
may be declared unconstitutional
by the Supreme Court OF the
United States. Accordingly. the
Connecticut law provides that II
the Federal act Is declared UNI
constitutional before January LIST,
1888, the Connecticut act then be-
comes imperative, and 1t further
provides that II the Federal act Is
declared unconstitutional after
January /, 1888. the funds then
due employers In Connecticut are
temporarily frozen pending the ac-
ton of the General Assembly In
dealing with them. I therefore
suggest that you authorize the
governor to create q commission
TO study further the question Of
Unemployment Compensation in
Connecticut so that you may be
prepared for proper action In the
event that the Federal Social Be-
curity Act proves to be unconsti-
tutional.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Merit System In Government Proposed By Governor
Wilbur I. Cross In Fourth Inaugural Address 7oda,

the enactment Of q civil service law
declaring that 81 state employees
shall be appointed In accordance
with q merit system, without po-
litical considerations except IN the
case Of department heads and
other pollcy.Tnaking officials. You
will have large support from the
citizens Of this state Tor . measure
that win open PERMANENT careers
to qualified young men and young
women who desire to enter the
public service. A bill for your
consideration viii be submitted BY
the commission on the reorganiza-
ton Of the state government,
whose members like myself regard
the establishment Of . merit Sys-
tenn as q vital part Of q well
ordered state.
In my recommendations thus far
there are few II any increases N
expenditures, with one possible
exception, which would not be
much more than Offset by substan-
tial savings resulting from an
honest merit system, q thorough
revision Of the administrative
structure Of the state government,
and greater efficiency In purchases
made by the state and It's izistitu-
tions.
I now come to the financial site
uation Of the state, which. In view
Of the present urgent capital OUT
lays confronting US, Is not all that
might be desired.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Taxation

Midway In the depression the
pay-as-you-go policy went by the
board owing to reluctance on the
part Of the general assembly 70
increase the burden Of taxation.
The recommendations Of an able
commission on taxation for the
most part failed Of favorable
action. The result has been an
inevitable deficit In spite Of the
gradual suspension Of capital OUT
lays. except for repairs mainly,
and temporary reduction In SAL
aries In 1888, which have recently
been restored. The greatest deficit
occurred In the biennium for 1881
80 when we were completing a
building program. In those two
years expenditures outstripped
receipts by approximately $l0,500,-
600. With the gradual improve
lnent In business, the annual def
cit has been decreasing materially.
For the fiscal year isaS-36 the
deficit was approximately $780,
900. It now appears as II receipts
will nearly II not actually match
expenditures for the fiscal year
1936-37. At the present time the
total deficit amounts TO approx
imately $4,000, 900. Deficits have
been easily carried by the issuance
Of short-time notes bearing, dur
ing the last two years, an
average rate Of interest CT only a
quarter Of one percent. It would
be gamble to continue borrow
ing on short-time notes IN face
Of a probable increase in interest
rates by 1898 and perhaps earlier.
1t would seem TO be the better pol
Icy to fund the states floating
debt by the issuance Of serial bonds
running for twenty years. I so
recommend.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Milk Control

Our great milk-producing in
dtstry has been put under con-
troll and bovine tuberculosis has
been eradicated from all our herds
TO the great benefit Of our farm
ers and the general public. Bangs
disease and mastitis, however, ere
with us yet. I hope that the nee
essary funds for their eradication
may be provided during the pres
ent session.
Nor should 1t be forgotten that
all our large agricultural interests,
still growing, should be main
tanned and developed. Connecti-
cut Is one OF the two New Eng
land states that have no building
at the Eastern States Exposition
In Springfield for the display OF
their products Of the soil. Maine.
New Hampshire, Vermont ana
Massachusetts are all there. Nor
has Connecticut q central region
al market for the distribution OF
our fruits and vegetables beyond
our borders. On these two def
ciencies commend to you the re-
port Of the commissioner Of agri-
culture.
The metal and related indus
tries have been the first to re-
gain their former prosperity. The
textile industries, owing partly to
sharp foreign and domestic COM
petition, have Jagged behind. The
situation last summer was such
that It seemed advisable to APP
point q special commission TO
study, with the assistance Of the
state Planning Board, the causes
OF the decline since 1920 in this
branch OF our industries. par
ticularly In the manufacture OF
silk and cotton goods. 1t Is my
hope that / may later lay before
you q full report Of this commits
sion. Since its appointment,
marked Improvement has been
shown In the output Of textiles In
several lines. Serious handicaps
against keen competition can be
overcome only by the skill OF
workers and the alertness Of mari-
ayers along with the scrapping Of
obSolescent machinery.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Only Outline for Congress

The president. practically on the
eve of his message to congress
hadn't decided whether to take up
the question Of reorganization at
once or 10 wait three or four weeks.
1t was fairly certain. however,
that he would ask for creation Of
the new departments with only a
general description Of their func-
lions and with no specific mention
OF individual transfers Of bureau,
commissions and administrations.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06

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e0.ss a.a., W zig popnc W.
ha. :, % So,'n ~, pEocese M.. VIE.
a" Is ~ e.u aeIo ~ aaw1yS
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s s .Vlss.s'.; OCcas.O'siy 49,, .1ass
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!1eo e1ie @ppoAntnaS u several
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06

The objection TO laying down a
detailed blueprint for congress to
chew on Is based on a record Of ex-
perience showing that such pro-
cedure leads to q chaos Of inter-
governmental lobbying and congress
sional blocs which effectively
thwarts any reorganization program.
Administrator Harry Hopkins
Of WA, Chairman John Winant
Of the Social Security Beard, and
Assistant Secretary Of the Treas.
ury Josephine Roche are being
discussed as possible cabinet Sec
rctaries for the public welfare
post. Hopkins II 10 TO I shot,
although the president holds both
Miss Roche and Winant In high
regard.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06

Security Act. Enabling lsgisla-
ton for this purpose. which win
bring TO the state large financial
assistance, such Is Il Is not now
receiving. win involve to some ex-
tent q readjustment IN the exist"
ing relations between the state
and It's subdivisions. Various
phases Of the problem are pre-
scented IN the report Of the Emef-
gency Relief Commission, In the
report Of the special commission
appointed two years ago to study
our pauper laws, and In the rec
concentrations Of the commission
er Of welfare. These three agen-
cies agree that every effort must
be made to prevent the breakup
Of distressed families. sometimes
occasioned by the uncoordinated
action Of several state, county,
and town agencies. The home.
where possible, should be kept In
tact,
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Library

The reasons for all these cxpen-
ditures which have been enumer-
ated are given In various reports
which will be laid before you. I
will here comment upon only one
request. The Connecticut State
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Mediation,

The Board OF Mediation and
Arbitration, since the Art Great
lng this body Vas revised In 1885.
has been very active, mainly
through mediation. In preventing
or adjusting Labor disputes. BY
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Courts

Relative to a revision Of our
court system recommendations will
come to you from the judicial
Council. The distinguished jurists
composing this body will submit.
In the form Of bill, plan for a
district court system such as Will
not disturb over-much our ex-
isting courts. The main objective
Is an indignation of our courts
which are now more or less indie
pendent units. It Is unnecessary
to repeat here what has been said
during the last few years for or
against our so-called minor courts,
except to remark that there Is no
good reason for calling some Of our
courts minor" or inferior" as
the aim of all our courts should
be even-handed justice, SO far as
that ideal can be reached In an
imperfect world. The citizens OF
this state, irrespective Of politi-
cal faiths, are In my opinion
strongly In favor of district
CUuIt oyoOtAi OABuAiiDSd VA =" cANfAS
and easily workable design. There
has never been any question as TO
where I stand. An opportune time
has arrived, I trust, for your fay
orable action.
/ urge again, as I have done III
former years, two amendments to
the constitution: one, that the
judges of all our courts, perhaps
with the exception of the judges
of the courts of probate, be APP
pointed by the general assembly on
the nomination of the governor;
and the other, that two-thirds
majority In each house OF the
general assembly be required to
override veto by the governor. as
Is the provision In the constitu-
lions OF most states OF the Union.
An act making women eligible for
Jury service, which needs no
amendment to the constitution.
seems assured since 1t has been
recently advocated by nominees
of both political parties repre-
scented here.
Mnrif SvcfnHSN
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Merit System

The two leading political parties
have also spoken out clearly for
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06

General Assembly is one on a COM
plete reorganization Of the state
government. For full year and o
half every part Of the present ad-
ministrative structure has been
subjected to close scrutiny by this
commission. with q view of recon-
mending to your consideration a
revised structure OF the state gov
eminent in the interest Of economy
and efficiency by the elimination
Of duplicated services and the
merging Of related departments.
A report presenting a coherent
whole should be in your hands not
later than the first OF February.
The report will be accompanied,
! understand, by series of bills
necessary for carrying into effect
the recommendations of the COM
mission. The questions involved in
these proposals are Of so far-reach-
ing import that you will probably
find 1t advisable to create special
committee for their consideration.
I SO recommend.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Ickes Sure Of Berth

Ickes, according TO the present
dope, would be secretary Of con.
servation rather than OF public
works. That's not entirely certain.
but he will stay In the cabinet
unless he Is drafted To be comptrol-
her general. just who would be Sec
rotary Of public works Is still any
body's guess.
The Department of Public Wei.
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Buildings

The practical suspension Of capt.
tai OUTLAWS In the course Of the
depression now brings the state
face to face with an imperative con-
struction program for our educa-
tional. humanitarian. and correc-
tive institutions requiring ct least
the expenditure Of 81. 000. 900 dur
the next biennium. First IN
urgency are new buildings for the
accommodation OF fifteen hun
dred more patients at the Fairfield
State Hospital for the mentally
i'll at cost Of $4,000 a new
training school In South Britain
for the feeble minded at cost OF
$4,000, 900; a veterans home at
Rocky Hill at q cost Of $4,000. 900:
new buildings for tuberculosis san-
atoria at a cost Of 81 SOC. 900; new
buildings for the State Farm for
Women at Mantle, 1904, 900; add
The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1937-01-06
Budget

The budget which will be SUBJ
mitted to you by the Board Of FL
nance and Control for the bierl-
MUM l9S7-39 will show a balance
Of receipts over expenditures Of
approximately $l00,000 This bud
get, however. covers only ordinary
recurring expenses on services
which the state Is now perform
ing. No provision whatever has
been made In the budget for addi-
tional services, for increase in SAL
aries or increase in personnel, for
the restoration Of the teachers
retirement fund to reserve basis.
and for plan giving to the chill
dren Of the state practically equal
opportunities for minimum edu-
cation. Nor is there any provision
for capital OUTLAWS which have be-
come necessary II the state Is to
perform properly the functions
which 1t has assumed. The budget
which Is to be placed In your
hands by the Board Of Finance
and Control is only maintenance
budget based upon existing ex-
pendityires and an estimate OF In
come under our existing tax laws.
Nogales international., 1937-12-31
BACK FROM PASADENA

BACK FROM PASADENA
AA*A%*#
Thomas F. Griffin and family re-
turned Wednesday from Pasadena
where they spent Christmas.
1AMHAH@AM&aS
Mr.. aS1G Mrs. E. M. Mather had
a few neighbors and friends in for
cocktails at their home on Marsh
Heights Christmas afternoon.