The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-04-04
Heard And ODerheard
 around = The State Capitol
around
By JACK AMMAN

By JACK AMMAN United Press Staff Correspondent
 Hartford, Conn, April 4.-(UP) Next Wednesday former Gov. Wilbur L. Cross will celebrate his 78th birthday anniversary, and leading Democratic politicians are taking the opportunity to discuss just how important factor he is in the Connecticut political pie ture.
 At least two or three machine Democrats have discussed the former governors status in the party with the writer in the past few days, and their analyzations proved Startlingly similar. A sum- mary of their views follows:
 1. Dr. Cross probably will be the Democratic candidate for gov- ernor again-if President Roose- welt does not run for third term.
 2. If MT. Roosevelt is 8 candi- date, the Democrats may turn to another as gubernatorial candi- date, because they feel they can win without Dr. Cross. Receiv- ing considerable mention as a candidate in this eventuality is State Public Works Commissioner Robert A. Hurley.
 3. Machine leaders, troubled by the results of the steam-rollered 1888 convention, are wondering what to do about former State Labor Commissioner Joseph M. Tone. If Dr. Cross is 8 candi- date, it was believed Tone would not seek the nomination. If it appears, however, that Uncle Toby" Is out of the picture, Tone may make a fight for it against Hurley.
 One of those with whom the situation was discussed suggested that Tone might be induced to acc cept the lieutenant-governor nom- ination, or be given assurances of a major appointment if a Demo- crat were elected this fall.
 Here is the way one source an- alyzed the present set-up:
 "U. S. Sen. Francis T. MaIoney is 8 political realist. Although there has been some trouble, his differences with National Com mitteeman David E. FitzGerald will be settled. Can you imagine MalOney splitting his party on the eve of an important election?
 Then, he realizes former Gov. Cross can draw the disgruntled Republican vote, those who will not go for Gov. Baldwin. That is, only in the event President ROose- welt does not run for third term. The Democrats need Cross if MT. Roosevelt declines.
 But if the president runs again, the leaders may feel secure enough to pass over Cross and nominate another, possibly Hur- ley. MalOney knows we'll enough the danger of having two Cath OlicS at the head of 8 state ticket, But Hurley is strong candidate and MalOney may be persuaded to overlook the danger.
 "The question troubling us at the moment is this: What are we going to do with Joe Tone in any event? In the long run, 1t seems inevitable that he and Hurley will clash for the gubernatorial nom- inatiOn."
 Within the party itself, there is a difference of opinion whether former Gov. Cross will be capable of conducting a heavy campaign at his age. Some Hurley packers say he can't do it; others feel differently. In any event, it ap- pears the Connecticut picture will not be clarified until the White. House speaks.
 Gov. Baldwin's public appeal to State Chairman Benjamin E. Har- wood and National committeeman Samuel F. Pryor, Jr., not to re- tire when their present terms ex- pire, appears to have done the trick.
 Inside betting is that both Har- wood and Pryor will stay. Even before the Governor spoke, 1t was felt Harwood would reconsider: Pryor was uncertain. But, before leaving for Florida, Pryor did not say ''No" when asked whether he would resist a draft.
 The Mckinley association dinner did not produce much news. There was a great show of unanimity, but that doesn't mean anything at public affairs. Some felt there was significance to the election of Rep. Walter Howe, Litchfield, as association president. They believed 1t might be a buildup for the U. s. Senatorial nomination.
 Former U. s. Sen. and Gov. Hiram Bingham said he had no personal ambitions for the fall, but added: T will serve the party in any way" He saids he would like to go to Philadelphia as a convention delegate.
 Rep. Joseph w. Martin, Jr., of Massachusetts and Gov Baldwin both made excellent impressions.