The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-04
Young c. O. P. Favor McLevy For Governor
Party Machine Wrecked By Grand Jury Probes; Grove
 ing Sentiment for Bridgeports Socialist Mayor

lCducIo u UIlc OlllS 1IepuDllCdll organization to endorse Jasper McLevy, Socialist mayor of Bridge port, to head a coalition ticket in the fall comprised of the Republican party and the Socialists. The pro- posal would have been introduced at the Young Republican conven- tion recently, but of the bitter oppo- sit:on registered by the Republi- cans of Bridgeport who are backing High Sheriff Edward Platt of Fair field County. However, the move ment to draft McLevy is stronger to- day than it has been since it was first mentioned about six months ago.
 The Republicans here feel that the Republican party can not hope to win the confidence of the public for the fall elections. They concede that there is no Republican in Con- necticut who would have chance of beating Governor Wilbur L. Cross. But, they figure, if the Re- publican party endorsed McLevy, who despite his socialistic utilization, is still pretty much Republican at heart, the party would to great extent win public support.
 McLevy would be a strong candi- date, because of his liberal ideas, the manner in which he has con- ducted his office in Bridgeport, the type of legislation which he has always fostered and his natural pull ing power with the working class.
 The Wreckage
 The Grand Jury in Bridgeport which investigated the spending of $6,500000 for the right of way for the Merritt Parkway almost ruined the Republican party. It wrecked the Republican stronghold, the Highway Department, where hun dredS and hundreds of names of loyal republicans can be found on it's payrolls. It caused the resigna- tion of Highway Commissioner John A. Macdonald. Three persons have already been indicted and six other secret indictments nave been handed down. At least one of those secretly indicted lives outside the State of Connecticut. Two are women, who sold land to the state. Two others are officials of a well known nur- sery which supplied trees, shrubs and the like to the Identification department of the state highways and one state official in the Beauti- fication department. It further recommended that the job held by Clarence Willard, secretary of the Republican State Central Commit tee as publicity man for the High way and Health departments De eliminated. Willard's resignation as secretary of the Central Committee is expected in a short time followed by the resignation of other Repub- lican leaders.
 Indictments
 However, the Grand Jury investi- gation in Bridgeport is expected to prove to be tea party compared with the investigation underway in Waterbury. The Grand Jury there is expected to continue its investi- gation for at least four more weeks and when it comes to an end it will indict about 25 persons. Whether in- dictments or bench warrants will be handed down is not known. It may be that the Grand Jury in Water bury will follow the same system as that employed by the Fairfield County Grand Jury by handing down secret indictments. This be- cause of the fact that many of those who are about to be indicted live outside the city and one or two live outside the state.
 Observers make the bold predic- ton that when the Grand Jury in Waterbury comes to close the Republican party in Connecticut will be completely ruined.
 Young G. o. F.
 Thus it comes about that the Young Republicans will attempt to take over control of the Republican party. Senator J. Kenneth Brad ley of Westport is close friend and admirer of McLevy's and he would like to see McLevy endorsed by the Republicans. This opinion is also held by Samuel Prior, Jr, National Republican Committeeman, of Greenwich. It is understood that Prior and Bradley have been work ing Benjamin Harwood of Ches- ter Chester, chairman of the Republi- can State Central Committee to VII. him over to their side in their fight to have the Republicans recognize McLeYy.
 The Old Guard of the once power full Republican organization sorelI miss the iron hand of J. Henry Roraback.
 Settlements in fhe l,iph Andes of