The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-09-21

Unemployment Fund mcorpor- ated copy of which I hold in my hand. MT. Culhane in his speech said, Those of us who were more fortunate and had an income paid the bill through our dona- tions to the Mutual Aid. In all we contributed over $2,400,000." OUR donations! WE contributed whom did MT. Culhane mean by our and we? The records of the Mutual Aid fail to show that MT. Culhane or MT. Culhane's firm ever contributed dime to the Mutual Aid in support of their work for the unemployed
 MT. Culhane stated that the administration found it necessary to put 1900 to 2,000 prediction workers on the payroll for six weeks before the last city election. That statement is a falsehood. The truth is that men in need were given employment on nec- essary public improvements to carry them through to compile ton. MT. Culhane stated that Mayor Hayes said in his accept ance speech that at one time during the depression one-twelfth of our people were on relief.
 Needy Men
 That statement is falsehood. The truth is that Mayor Hayes said that one-eighth of the city'S population was unable to care for itself. MT. Culhane stated that this year the administration cut the tax rate one-quarter of one mill, or one-fortieth of cent amounting to $41, ,250. That state- ment is falsehood. The truth is that there was no reduction in the tax rate this year. The ad- min1stration does not claim there was a reduction this year. But it does say that it has reduced the tax rate from 41.92 mills to 315O mills. A total reduction of 10.42 mills since 1t went into office. The tax rate of 3150 mills which has been in effect for the years of 1885 and 1936 is the tlowest since 1922. In addition to the lowering of the tax rate the assessed valu- ationS since 1929 have fallen off over $6,000000. I do not know of any other city in the state which has consistently reduced its tax rate on a reduced grand list. It is one of the outstanding achieve mentS of the administration. The downward trend in taxes has be- come such an accepted fact in Waterbury that it might be 8 ter rible shock to most of our citi- zens to realize that inexperienced management could soon send the tax rate and tax assessments sky- ward.
 Pensions!
 MT. Culhane stated that jobs are created by the hundreds and that people are on the payroll who are employees or pensioners rot of the city government but of the City Hall machine. That statement is an unqualified false hood and MT. Culhane should be the last one ever to mention pensions or pensioners.
 MT. Culhane stated that many needless trucks are hired. That statement is a falsehood. The truth is that trucks are hired only when needed and are paid on an hourly basis only when they work.
 MT. Culhane stated that "Pur- chaSeS are made and contracts let at non-competitive prices to buy political support" That state- ment is a falsehood. The truth is that for the best interests of the city of Waterbury contracts and purchases are made through local contractors, dealers, jobbers and wholesalers because local business men employ local people and pay local taxes and are therefore en- titled to whatever business the City of Waterbury may give them, so long as their prices are no higher than those of out-of- town competitors. The purchasing for the City of Waterbury is done as advantageously and as carefully as that of any private organiza- tion. Local merchants and bus iness men can best testify to the truth of this statement.
 The ignorance of our tax situ- ation displayed by MT. Culhane when he stated that the tax rate had been reduced a fortieth of a cent this year is only a sample of his lack of knowledge on city affairs generally. There is on ex- cuse for the ordinary citizen who does not know the details of city finance. He hasn't the time to study them. But there can be no excuse for candidate for mayor who asks the question, "What has Mayor Hayes done with fifty-four million dollars in the eight years