The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-03-08

CkNt3 III bklG GCuOAuA FAooSAAbAy otAAA goes on as the session hears the haif-way mark. A definite show down between the major parties seems destined to come soon, though many of the expected bat ties will be avoided through the de- cision of some Republican leaders to give at least their individual sup- port to liberal and progressive mea- sures.
 The savings bank life insurance plan Ia the latest subject of man euver and counter -maneuver Af- ter . stormy hearing on the bill Wednesday, Senator Michael V. BIansfield immediately called the senate unit of the banks conn mittee into executive session, and a fayOrbale report on a cOm- promise text of the biIl was voted. The report was returned to the Senate Thursday, and that body quickly sent the blll to the ap- pr0prlations committee, which must give its approval because of . provision in the bill for an an- nual appropriation of $25,0OO . year by the state for several years.
 The Democrats will now seek an early report by the appropriations committee and attempt to pass the bill speedily. Their strategy Is to toss the matter into the lap of the Republican, controlled House, and let that body take the responsibility for any failure to pass the bill. The House unit of the banks committee, of which Rep. Walter Howe Of Litchfield is chairman, has not yet taken any action on the bill, and the whole affair is proving head ache to the c. O. P.
 Under the savings bank life in- surance plan, savings banks could, If they wished, sell life insurance In amounts of not more than $l,- GOO. No persons could have total COverage of more than 5000. Pay ments would be made by policy holders at the bank weekly.
 New York and Massachusetts bankers told the committee at the hearing that the plan has worked out splendidly in their states and that its adoption here would bring great benefits, particularly to those in the low-income group. Propon- ents claimed that the plan was far better than the industrial insurance Issued by insurance companies, in which weekly payments are made. They held that 1t Is cheaper and more efficient.
 One of the most strongly par tisah crowds ever assembled at a Capitol hearing was on hand to oppose the bill. The crowd, which had many insurance agents among its members, cheered and applaud cd speeches by opponents of the plan and b0oed and hissed those who spoke in favor. Rulings by ScnptOr Blansfield, who presided, were hOOted at. But all these go- inss-On did not help the bill'S 0p- pOnents; In fact, the dem0tStra- tious they staged initiated against them.
 Gov. Hurley favors the savings bank life insurance plan and chanc- es arc that legislation setting in an operation will come out of the as- sefnbly, though compromises may be necessary on some features.
 Senator Blansfield and Senator Edward P. Egan won technical victory on their Sunday sales bill the other day but they have . long fight ahead if they hope to win eventual passage of their Jointly sponsored measure. The bill which would allow groceries and meat to be sold until 1 D. m. on Sunday, was reported on un- favorably by the judiciary com mlttee. The local senators objec- ted to the report, spoke strongly In favor of the bill and succeed ed in having it returned to the judiciary committee for further consideration. They chose to move for recOmmlttal of the bill rather than attempt its passage over the committees report in the belief that an attempt to force immed- late passage would anger the House unit of the committee. Re- committal, they believed, would give them a chance to ask com mittee members to change their stand.
 One principal danger of the re- committal procedure, however, is that It makes 1t easy for a commit tee to pigepn-hole bill and either forget 1t entirely or send 1t out again with another urfavorable re- port in the hectic closing days of the session. What the outcome of the Sunday sales bill .recommittal depends on how the two local sem ators are able to influence mem. bers of the judiciary committee.
 Debate on the judiciary com mittee's report gave Senator Blansfield an opportunity to point out that the blue law banning Sunday sales of most commodities is enforced only in Waterbury and Winsted and to criticize the pros- ecuting officials in the two com- munities. Prosecutors in other towns. he said, have "the good sense" not to enforce the old law. This statement will hardly help the relations between Senator Blansfield and Prosecutor Michael J. GalulIo of the city court, and it may bring some fireworks at the hearing Wednesday on the city bills for s2,100,0OO in bonds. Senator Blansfiled, who favors the bond issues, will preside at the hearing, while Mir. GalullO is ex- pected to be 8 witness for the op- position.