The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-05-09
BY JACK AMMAN limited Press Staff Correspondent

Hartford, Conn.,, May 9.--tUP) State Public Works Commis- sioner Robert A. Hurley has moved into the leading position for the Democratic nomination for governor, and he probably will have the support of National Committeeman David F. FitzGer- aid, New Haven, and Mayor Thomas J. Spellacy of Hartford.
 Hurley and U. s. Sen. Francis T. Maloney have been drifting apart for the past five or six months, 1t was reportedly reliably, and Q definite break occurred after Maloney's move to secure a re-nomination for himself at the spring convention.
 Hurley's supporters are bitter against Maloney for his so-call- cd "coup," and they now are nov ing Into another orbit to end the "domination of the party by the three Smiths" This was said facetiously, because these sources said the "three Smiths" were State Chairman J. Francis Smith; Richard Joyce Smith, Fairfield County and New York lawyer, and Sen. Maloney.
 Richard Joyce Smith. a member of the state pardons board, was said to be the "braintrusC for the Maloney croup.
 The spring convention is less than Q month away, and the anti- Maloney forces are now shifting into a position where they hope to command control of the dele- gates. They insisted their move was not an effort to deny Sen. Maloney re-nomination, but added anything could happen If the spring convention delegates broke loose.
 Lieutenants of both FltzGerald and Spellacy were known to be m contact with Hurley, some reports said John Mccarthy, NeWtoWn, and Paul R. Connery, Norwalk, who control Fairfield County, were favorable to Hurley. It further was reported that Hurley would accept the gubernatorial nomina- ton If 1t were shown he had Q great majority of delegates.
 Meantime, Q story was spread ing that former Gov. Wilbur l.. Cross also was peeved at the Maloney "coup." Dr. Cross was said to be favored by the Maloney faction for the governorship.
 Republicans watched develop ments with great interest,
 1.-TWO weeks ago." a leading Re- publican party man said, "the pressure was on us. The Demo- crats lokoed united, and they were calling us diSunited, But what happens? Sen. Maloney makes the biggest political blum der I've ever seen-he had the nomination and election in the bag. Now I'm not too sure or either.
 "The pressure Is completely away from us now, and on the Democrats. We may pick ,ip some Democratic votes before this thing is finished" .,
 A reunion Of FitzGerald and Spellacy forces, which was fore told in these columns several weeks ago, would bring together two leaders who, with former U. s. A torney General Homer B. Cummings, dominated Democratic politics before 1880.
 Tn addition of Hurley to this group would add considerable strength, because the public works commissioner commands much of the Maloney power.
 While tho Democratic storm brewed, Republicans made final plans for their spring cOnven- ton next Tuesday night and We'd nesday.
 State Chairman Benjamin r. Harw0od will lead the Connceti- cut delegation tO Philadelphia, and also expected to go were Ma tional Committeeman Samuel r. Pryor, IT,. Gov. Baldwin, Attor- ney General Francis A. PallOtti and others prominent in party circles.
 The defeat of the Sheriff Platt forces in Fairfield county ended whatever chance of U. $. Sen. H. Styles Bridges of New Hampshire had of capturing any of the Con. nectIcut's votes for president. Platt was Bridges campaign manager in this state.
 Someone undoubtedly will rise at the convention and move that the states 10 votes be pledged to Gov. Baldwin as a "favorite son. candidate. The chances of pas sage of such an action gre excel lent. with Republican harmony moves acceIerating since the de- cislon of state Chairman HarwO0d to remain.
 Insiders are predicting that Ma tional Committeeman Pryor also will reconsider and take another term.
 Political observers are watching the Paul Cornell boom for U. S, senator with increased interest. Cornell, hcadmaGtcr of Romford school at Washington, Conn. Is being credited with smart politics