The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-09-17

and 18th senatorial contests are campaigning strenuously and any one of them or his supporters will tell you how confident they are of success.
 The Conley forces in the 16th are relying on a three-way con- test and split to put their man out in front. They are serious about this and working hard.
 The Egan campaign has gained a lot of momentum in the past week and seems to have the strongest support among the silent voters. MT. Egan's magnanlmouS statement of party loyalty and of the right of any opponent to run against him, regardless of his present holding of the office, was well received by all sides.
 Lawlor cohorts are reciting his long experiences m many terms in the State Senate, his thorough ex- perience and contacts as mem- Der of the Board of Public Works in both the Guilfoile and Hayes administrations, his wide acquain- tance as State Boxing C0mmis- sioner, and the fact that he has plenty of time to devote to the
 office as factors which argue for his selection as the candidate.
 The Egan supporters will tell you he has proved himself hard-work- ing, constructive senator during his term of office, that he is entitled to reelection, that he has proved his loyalty to his party and his district, that his local experience on the Board of Health and Board of Finance is a valuable asset and that he is the kind of citizen who ought to represent his district in the sem ate and will do honor to it.
 The Culhane followers are equally ardent about their candi- date. They point to his long ex. perience in the senate, his finan- cial experience as a former officer and director of the Merchants Trust Company and now as a dealer in stocks and bonds, his chairmanship of the 1887 Senate Finance and Insurance commit tees, and his present incumbency as reasons for his reappointment.
 The Blansfield forces point to the fact that their man is an able, suc- cessful lawyer, president of the Wa terbury Bar Association, 8 native son, whereas MT. Culhane is not, an amateur in politics, but this is 8 good season for beginners, regular Democrat always, loyal to his party, and the type of citizen who would represent Waterbury in a dignif1ed and capable manner.
 The COnley packers are also enc thusiastic for their man, as a young fellow launching a political career, with . wide acquaintance among the sporting athletic group and as one entitled to run for office in an open contest.
 
 The supporters of each candidate point to his backing by this or that citizen as indicative of success. You can find good people back of each and every one of them. The Lawlor forces have placed much emphasis on his backing from Commissioner James A. Phelan, one of the most honest, hard-working city officials Waterbury ever had, whose excellent reputation for business integrity and whose wide acquaintance are un- doubtedly assets to any man he sup- ports. MT. Phelan is an ardent Den1- ocrat and a strong supporter of Mayor Sculyy as ne was of the mayors father years ago.
 Someone got the absurd notion that because Senator LawlOr was elderly and Senator Egan not SO old that their primary contest was one between the older and younger groups In the party. 1t is natural that Senator Lawl0r should have the majority of his friends among those of his own age and generation, just as Sem ator Egan has, but you will find young men on the Lawlor list and old men on the Egan list and there ls no general dlvislen among supporters on the basis ef age. A mans age Is certainly no basis for voting for or against him, there being se many other Inn. p0Flant factors t0 eonsider.
 The Town Committee b doing . sincere Job iFl seeing that the pFlnl. aFy contests are run of fairly and efficiently.