The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-02-01
Heard And Overheard
The State Capitol
BY JACK ZAIMAN

Hartford, Conn, Feb. 1.-(UP)
Mayor Jasper McLevy Of Bridge
port, who probably will run for
governor on the Socialist ticket
again this fall, has been placed
in a perilouS political position by
the scandal in the city tax Office,
state Capitol observers believed.
For years, McLevy + has been
hammering away at both major
political parties for their alleged
connections with various scandals.
He hit a peak in the 1888 election,
in which he received 10000 votes
as a gubernatorial candidate, be-
cause Of the Merritt Parkway and
Waterbury municipal scandals.
McLevy,s major charge against
former Gov. Wilbur L. Cross in
the 1888 state election was that
che didn't know" what was going
on in his administration. That
charge, and the failure Of Demo-
Gratis to strike back at McLevy,
caused their defeat.
Now the Democrats, snarting at
their loss, are ready to throw
everything they have at Jasper"
They also will claim McLevy
didn't know what was going on
In his own administration as re-
suit Of disclosures Of an alleged
shortage in the tax department.
Political insiders believed also
the charge will be hurled at "Jas-
per" that he has q fake" hnan-
cia1 set-up, which Is being car
ried by refunding bond issues. II
Democrats control the next legis-
lature, don't be surprised II
Mayor McLevy fails to get what
he wants on q refunding bond is
sue.
If 1t can be unanswered, "Jas-
per" will be forced to raise his tax
rate-but not by too much. That
might prove to be boomerang.
Intimates Of Gov. Raymond e.
Baldwin are worried about his
OverwOrk, and the possible harm
full effect ON his health.
The governor hasn't been feel
ing too well lately, and those close
to him admit he is working too
hard. He is in the executive
chambers every day shortly after
8 a. m, after q 6O-mile ride from
Stratf0rd.
Rarely does he leave before 6
p. m. Then he has piled up q
multitude Of speaking engage
ments, which are said to be sap
ping his vitality.
During one recent Stretch, it is
said the executive didn't get home
one night in seven before 2 p. m,
and arose the next morning be-
fore =. Early this week, the gov
ern0r admitted he was ''tired".
He talked of cancelling some
speeches.
As one Of his friends put it:
"He just can't say no when a
speech or appearance request is
made"
A recession in state employment
Is underway.
The General Electric Co., at
Bridgeport a few days ago re-
leased TOO employees from its ra-
dio division, 1t was reported. Con-
tractors and other outdoor con-
structional units are letting help
go.
During the past month, unem-
ployment compensation applica-
lions have leaped at the state Of
fees. Some compensation Offices
are said to be working until 8
p. M, to clear up the requests.
Administration sources claim
the drop is seasonal. They are
slightly worried, because Gov.
Baldwin's employment speeches
have been interpreted as a claim
for credit is giving $4,000 persons
jobs in the state since his friend
ly government" took Office. A drop
in employment will place the ex-
ecutive on q hot political seat
The federal court docket has be-
come Overcr0wded, but still no
appointment has come from
Washington to replace the resign
ed Judge Edwin s. Thomas.
John FITZGERALD, New Haven,
was supposed to have the inside
track for the job weeks ago.
Former u. S. Attorney General
Homer S. Cummings is boosting
FITZGERALD, too.
Latest information is that an
appointment may come within .
fortnight
The governors continued silence
as to his future political intan-
tions-whether he will stand for
reelection, take the U. s. Senator
ial nomination, or really make q
fight for the vice-presidental
nomination--has the politicians
guessing.
There is reason to believe the
governor hasn't yet made UP his
mind what he win do, and will
continue to keep mum about his
plans.
The announcement by state La