The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-20
Criminal Intent in Official Actions Alleged

lobbyist demands and receives fees far out of proportion to the reason able value of the services rendered, Rare indeed were the instances found by this Grand Jury in which services rendered were reasonably commensurate with compensation. The activities of the paid lobbyist of this kind, as they have been revealed in this Investigation are real hindrance to the enactment of leg islation designed for the general welfare of the State. The system of the secret lobby naturally invites legislation favorable to private in- f1uential or moneyed interests and in operation necessarily interferes with the free exercise of considered judg- ment by the duly elected representa- tives of the people. If proposed leg islation is genuinely worthy of en- actment into law, it should not, in order to become law, need the arti- ficial stimulus that the paid lobbyist is capable of giving it nor should it suffer defeat because of his selfish activity. If it is not worthy of enact ment, no lobby no matter how well organized or how wei financed should bring about its passage.
 As distinguished from the secret lobbyist, it appears to this Grand Jury that the attorney. who openly and frankly appears before legis- lative committee in advocacy of certain viewpoint, may render help full service not only to his client, but to the members of the General As sembly.
 Political Influence On Sale
 That political influence has been for sale by the secret lobbyists dur ing past sessions of the General As sembly and has been frequently pur- chased has been wildly demon- strated to this Grand Jury. It is an unhealthy condition which can- not quickly enough be remedied.
 It was stated in the opening of this report that this investigation had now reached a stage at which it seemed eXpedient to report to the court with certain recommendation before proceeding with the investi- gation. There are still certain phases of the investigation, particularly re- lating to the municipal corruption in the City of Waterbury which have not yet been completed and which it is the desire of this Grand Jury to inquire into further.
 Allege Crimes Committed
 So far as lobbying and Corrupt Practices are concerned, however, the Grand Jury finds reasonable ground to believe that 8 crime or crimes have been committed in vOlving particularly Daniel J. Leary, T. Frank Hayes. John D. Thoms. Daniel F. B. Hickey, Jos eph H. Lawlor, Nathan Spiro. and Matthew A. Daly. 1t is therefore, recommended that the transcript of sworn testimony taken by this Grand Jury be transmitted to the opNSi0h iOI tuC Iui such action as he may sec fit to take in the prosecution of viola tions of the Corrupt Practices Act or of Sections 6169 and 6l7O of the General Statutes and for the pros ecution of such other crimes as he may believe to have been com mitted after examination of the evidence.
 Arrests Recommended
 So far as corruption within the City of Waterbury is concerned, this Grand Jury finds that there is probable ground to believe that the City of Waterbury has been defrauded between the 1st of Jan uary. 1930 and the lst of January, 1888. of r-:Ilions of dollars of the taxpayers money by group of men who have co Joined and con- federated together for their own financial and political advance ment. The Grand Jury, therefore, recommends the immediate arrest and the prosecution forthwith by the Special Attorney for the State on the charge of conspirac.- to de- fraud the City of Waterbury and such other charges as the Special Attorney for the State may deem advisable of the following named persons: T. Frank Hayes, Daniel