The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1940-09-11

With the Democratic primaries
only a week away there Is plenty of
evidence but not much news Of act
ivity in all camps. Unlike an election
campaign a primary contest for
offices other than mayor does not
bring forth any radio speeches or
similar activity as 1t is hard to get
people to listen or interest them
selves, so most of the campaigning
is of the quiet, buttonho1e variety.
The 18th senatorial contest Is by
far the most interesting of the
current contests. Neutral Obser-
vers claim 1t Is q $3.50 situation.
The LawlOr forces seem to be do
ing the most publicity work and
think they are out I'm front. The
Egan forces are saying little but
are predicting confidently that
theirs is the silent non-p0litical
vote. And when the 0es are coun-
ted they will be q comfortable
winner by surprising majority.
VIM. Upper" Conley sage they
have to count him in also.
It is a unique contest and a clean
one, both Lawlor and Egan being
friendly for years. Senator Egan is
not a politician type, being a hard
working factory executive who likes
to spend his spare, time with his
family and who has never sought
political advancement. He probobly
would not be seeking the nomina-
ton now if he were not the present
senator and he certainly would not
have run two years ago except for
Senator LaWlar'S withdrawal from
the race because of the conspiracy
indictment which was later dropped
in the Superior Court. It Is a case
of a former office holder Withdraw
ing voluntarily and now wanting his
old post back and of his successor,
as a matter of pride, feeling that he
is entitled to try again. Both can
didates can point to constructive
accomplishments during their terms
Of Office.
Senator LawlOf's hackers claim
1t means more to their candidate
because he formerly had . lot Of
state polistical prestige and held
the well-paid job Of Boxing Com
missioner. whereas Senator Egan,
having a responsible position, does
not seek any such political job.
The dual jOb-h0lding bill passed
In 1889 would not prevent Sem
atOr Lawlor from hiding both Jobs
during his term of office, however.
In some respects the contest takes
on the aspect Of the Old Guard
against the New Guard. The reor-
ganization Of the town committee
after the Scully victory in the last
city election brought forth the
younger generation in local politics
to supplant many old-timers who
had held political Office or posts for
years In spite Of the surge of the
younger Democrats. The younger
group Is IN the great majority and
once In the saddle as II Is, 1t Is not
likely that 1t viii revert to the old
set-up and relinquish Its control.
But the old-timers find 1t hard TO
give In 10 the rising generation
which Is typical Of everything al.
though some feel that the younger
group should have its turn and car
Fy responsibilities. The Lawlor ticket
win be composed OF many old-tlmers
while the Egan ticket has the accent
on youth.
The presence Of such 4 NE.
long Democrat ~ Commissioner
james A, Pheian ~ treasurer Of
the LaWlor group beaFa out this
theory. Beth kehnlDF LAWYER and
hiE. phelnn served leF years on HE
Beard " Fpblle Works w beth The
0nllfeiIe and Hayes ndnlinlnfFa
items. u N said thnt Mayer beuIly
WenIa have liked v aDpolnl either