The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-08-22
A Crucial Moment

A Crucial Moment
 Affairs in the Democratic Party of Waterbury are at a crucial stage. Calm reason must replace mob hys- teria at this point in the game. There is too much at stake for party leaders and voters to be swept blindly along a path from which there is no return. Some weeks ago we hailed the advent of new force within the party-the creation of the Democratic Voters Committee, whose primary purpose was to restore harmony within the ranks, effect virtual reorganization of the party so that representation might be more widely scattered throughout the great mass of Demo- cratic voters.
 THIS EFFORT HAS FAILED.
 It failed when the Democratic Town Committee threw back the list of delegates that the Democratic Voters Committee sponsored for the several conventions that are in the offing. This rejection was, to say the least, curt and hardly fair to the work and thought that went into the com pilation of list that was intended to be generally representative of all groups within the party, but uncon- trolled by any one faction. Had there been more open-minded study of the proposed list of delegates with suggestions offered and queries as to why such-and- d-such a name was omit ted, progress could have been made.
 THE DEMOCRATIC VOTERS COMMITTEE LIST WAS SUM- MARILY REJECTED.
 And why was it rejected? Simply because it had eliminated the names of delegates, many of them admins tration stalwarts, whose loyalty down through the years has been unques- toned and still is for that matter. At this point the sincerity of the Town Committee was put to a severe test. We're rather afraid it's brusque treat ment of the Democratic Voters Com- mittee was premeditated. If it wasn't, the public gets the impression it was, which is still worse.
 There may be still few hours in which differences can be patched up between the Democratic factions through the medium of the Demo- cratic Voters Committee, which is not a faction, does not represent clique within the party, but is in- tensely interested in seeing party har- mony restored and representation granted to the many good Democrats who have been denied it in the past. We see no joy ahead for the To hr Committee if it is defeated or is vic- torious in primary fight on Thurs day. Defeat further centers unfavor- able attention upon the city adminis- tration and it's leaders who shortly are to face serious accusations in the courts; victory would simply widen the rift in party ranks and create more powerful anti administration faction.
 Town Chairman John H. Crary has for many years displayed the greatest of political sagacity. He has directed we'll the activities of party organiza- tion. We cannot quite conceive him now willing to wreck the party's fu- ture on the question of few dele gates. State Chairman J. Francis Smith whose efforts have been all- inclusive must admit defeat for his cherished hope of reuniting divergent party elements. The announcement of an administration ticket last Sat- urday meant defeat for his aim; win or lose at the primary his cause is lost - - unless -
 THE DEMOCRATIC TOWN COMMITTEE AND THE DEMO- CRATIC VOTERS COMMITTEE FORESTALL A PRIMARY BAT TILE BY MUTUAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE LATTER'S TICKET BE-