The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-09-25

gret the necessity of the imposi- tion at this time of such large tax burden as the new budget makes provisions for. It is, of course, forcing in one year the correction of a financial condition which is the result of an accumu- lation of a good many years. .. The commission has a-deep sense of responsibility for the budget and for the high tax rate which t involves due to the fact that your board has so broadly adopted the recommendations of its experts.
 Very truly yours,
 Waterbury Charter Commission By Francis T. Reeves, it's secretary
 If, in the light of this letter, which is part of the record of the Board of Finance for the year 1929, can be blamed for this tax rate, or for any other act or omiS- sion which occurred before I took office, then I should also be held responsible for the Johnstown flood and the Lindbergh kidnap- ping.
 As a Democrat
 In his speech in Temple Hall on July 18th, my opponent stated: "As a Democrat who has served My party and the city faithfully during two terms in the senate, I am sure will receive the support of all who believe in the true meaning of Democracy" Up to this point my opponent was mak- ing his appeal to Democrats and passing it upon his former record as a Democrat. We will discuss that record later.
 Last night he said: Forget all about party lines when you cast your ballot. Vote for the ticket that will give you honest admins tration of city affairs" In July, he was appealing to political parties off support. In July, 1t was "My Party. In September, he condemns political parties in city affairs and says that there should be no party lines.
 Why this change of front in less than two months? We would like to have him tell us the a11- Swer.
 In a radio address on Septem- Der 18th, my opponent conn., plained bitterly about the falsity of the Democratic Primary Lists, and stated Thousands of them still are names of people who dO not know they are registered Democrats" He also stated that this condition has existed since 1929 and 1881. We'll, my opponent ran as Democrat for the State Senate in 1884 and again in 1886, but do not recall that he made any objections to the primary lists in either of those years. If the voting lists were wrong when he was a candidate, why did he not give his objections then? The answer is that when he was the candidate of what he calls the Political Machine" everything was all right, but now that he is a candidate against his former party, everything is all wrong. It must be grand to have con- science like that.
 My opponent, and his fellow candidates, have fervently plead- ed that they be elected so that Waterbury may, under them, en- joy Good Government" think that the voters of Waterbury would be deeply interested in knowing how they propose to give this good government, and, above all, what their qualifica- tions are for giving the city good business management. Have they any experience in business man. agement which would qualify them to take charge of busi- ness concern as large as the City of Waterbury? If so, let them tell us about that record. No business concern would employ a manager who could not furnish evidence of his ability to do the job. Let's have the references and qualifi- cations of those who are asking that the voters discharge exper- fenced business managers and re- place them with individuals about whose ability and experience the voters know nothing. Let us know what they have to offer the people other than their desire to hold of flee. Now is the time to give us the references.
 Business Record
 I have said that nothing is known about the business record of those who want the destinies of the city entrusted to their care. But there is another kind of record which is known. It is the record of the sinister figure, a lawyer, who created, sponsored, and is openly boasting that he is directing the opposition cam- paign. The candidates on that opposition ticket are full of prom ises. I'm going to make a prom ise too. I promise the citizens of Waterbury that in the event the Democratic ticket is beaten the sinister figure to whom I have referred will no longer be hiding in the background but will be rid- ing high, wide and handsome in the drivers seat. And then heaven help the good name and the sound credit of the City of Wa terbury.
 My opponent has repeatedly referred to his impressive record as state senator, and has on several occasions promised to place this record before the voters. We have been waiting to hear his version of it but so far he has been silent on the subject. I net only request him to give it in de- tail but I challenge him to do so. r ~.f. a.. z.s..l..a saAaAuA