The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-01-06
MERRITT ROAD
 WILLBE PROBED
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No Clue to Investigation

NO CIue 70 XnVeSt1SaIAOn
 The governor said it was un- decided what form the investigation of the highway agency would take. There were several alternatives, in- cluding a grand jury session, com mission, or by court judge under the corrupt practices act. Expendi- lures thus far for land acquisition has totaled nearly $6,O0O,O0O. Three Other Reports
 Three other reports on the park way were in preparation for sub mission to the governor. They were to come, possibly late this week or early next from Attorney General Charles J. Mclaughlin, Comptroller Charles c. Swartz and High Con- missioner John A. Macdonald.
 The Hurley report was in prepar- ation for months, ever since former Attorney General Edward J. Daly ruled 8 reorganization statute pas sed by the 1887 general assembly placed control of the highway de- partment in the public works com- misSioner's hands.
 Supreme Court End The supreme court of errors to- morrow will hear arguments on this phase of the highway department, under the statutes, was not super seded by the public works division. Labor'S non-partisan league, mean time, urged the governor to appoint "non-partisan" body to investigate the Merritt Parkway situation. Governor Cross" said a statement issued by Jerome Davis, state chair man, "has the duty the responsi- bility of seeing to 1t that the people of Connecticut are given 8 full and unbiased report on the scandalous situation which is being brought to light in the Merritt Parkway land purchases. "It is imperative that a non-partisan body examine the facts in this case. Such a groun should include representatives of labor, consumer groups and the general public.
 Some Hurley Charges State Public Works Commissioner Robert A. Hurley charges today there was "ineficiency and waste tulness in the state highway depart ment."
 His accusation was contained in 100-page reporG to Gov. Cross fol- lowing an investigation of several months into the financial operations of the agency.
 The commissioner declared that when he went into the department of highway, Commissioner John A. Macdonald to begin his inquiry he was "met with refusal and rebuffs."
 Records of public nature were denied the attaches of the commits sioner of public works" he asserted, and evidence of indisposition to CO., operate was made manifest in every direction"
 Complete Collapse Further in his report the commis- sioner declared "there has been such complete collapse of the inspec- tion service in the field as to war rant the belief that the state is be- ing deprived unjustly of goods and services for which it has contracted.
 There are evidences at hand
 
 contractors" he accused. Hits Merritt Parkway
 Turning to the Merritt Parkway land purchases over which the gov- ernor said today there would be an investigation of an undetermined type, Hurley observed:
 T fail to see why it was neces- Sary to hire an independent real estate dealer to perform similar functions in connection with the &C., quisition of property for the Mer- ritt Parkway"
 His reference was to the employ ment of G. Leroy Kemp, Darien realtor, as appraiser for the depart ment in the parkway program.
 Construction Projects
 Through reorganization of the highway agency, Hurley said, the sum of $9,300000 might be taken from administration and applied to- ward construction projects.
 Continuation of the present setup, he declared, would create a situa- tion whereby i've shall be faced shortly with the necessity of either issuing bonds or increasing taxes" for the smooth operation of the de- partment.
 If we are to avoid this eventual ity," he said, i've must effect com- plete reorganization of the highway department"
 This would take about three years, with minimum Of legislative &C., tion.
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