The Waterbury Democrat., 1940-12-07
Politics
 -in- Passing
BY RAYMOND ,. FITZPATRICK

 BY RAYMOND 2. FITZPATRICK The I9ll session of the General Assembly, which will start 8 month from now, may well go down in state history as historic. The pro gram announced by Governor Elect Robert A. Hurley promises to make ] it a little guys" session, one in which the emphasis will be on social reform, with existing social legisla- ton being broadened and new social legislation introduced.
 Mir. Hurley win seek the estab- nshment of . State Labor ReIa- ta0nS Board, the step being ac- cOmpltshed by passage of ''baby Wagner Act". This proposal has the approval both of the Ameri- can Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organiza- tionS. Two years ago it was de- feated, and there will undoubtedly be strong opposition to 1t in the Republican lower house next ses- sion, but the new governor will use all his influence to have it enacted. The governor -elect plans also to carry out his campaign pledges to seek broadening of the old age pen sion act, improvement in the milk control program to bring about lower prices for consumers, and to increase the personnel of the state police de- partment. These are only a few of the steps which MT. Hurley favors, and many more will be proposed by him in his inaugural address and from time to time during the legis- latfve session.
 In addition to the governor elects program, a labor bloc led by Senator Joseph R0urke, of New Haven, is drafting series of bills that will probably cause cOnServa- tive Republicans in the house to jump out of their not -tOO-c0m- fOrtable seats in the musty old chamber. The ROurke group, which is lining up considerable support, plans such radical measures as savings bank insurance, broader wOrkmen'S compensation benefits, and liberalization of old age pen SiOnS and unemployment c0mpen- SatiOn.
 One of the most hectic battles may develop over the proposal to remove states attorneys from politics. Eff forts to secure passage of such a bill in the past have failed, but at the f94l session its packers will have the endorsement of judiciary and bar organizations. The dual job bill, which plagued the 1889 assembly and kept much other important leg islation from being considered, will pop up again also.
 Governor Elect Hurley plans, if he sees reform legislation being blocked by Republican maneuver- ing, to take his case to the peO- pie by radio. His intention is to name those responsible for delay ing what he believes to be neces- saFy legislation.
 With the Democrats controlling the senate but with the Republicans having a big margin in the house, the new governor will probably have to do some horse trading to get some of the legislation he wants. He is shrewd enough to get fair value for any concession he makes and it would not be too surprising if he succeeds in having much of his program adopted.
 HGr. Hurley will need all his Democratic votes in the senate, and this will make important the roles of Senator Edward P. Egan and Senator Elect Michael V. Blansfield of this city. If the local organization should have these two men attempt to buck the governor because of political differences it would be a very ShOrt-Sighted move. Not only would it leave the organization here open to charge of petty politics and being opposed to liberal advances, but 1t would also probably sound the death knell for any legislation benefiting Wa terbury. 1t is no secret that the city administration will attempt to have revised city charter passed next year, but passage would be out of the question if the governor were opposed to it. The same holds true of any effort to secure permission for a bond issue to refund city bonds and make important capital improve ments.
 During the session the Democrats vii lhave an advantage in the fact that J. Kenneth Bradley will be Re- publican state chairman. Many upstate Republicans have little re- gard for MT. Bradley and will follow his instructions only when necessary There may be more than one big intra-party flareup among the Re- publicans before the assembly has gone very far along. The Demo- crats may also be helped by the expected battle within Republican ranks over the posts of speaker of the house, majority leader and as- Sistant majority leader.
 It should be both the most inter- eSting as well as most important legislative session in recent years. You can get an advance chuckle just out of thinking how some die hards in the house will react when MT. Hurley announces his plan to reOrganize the State Highway De- pertinent, the backbone of Repub- lican power in the small towns.
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