The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-05-17
 & g -in-
 Passing

I l BY RAYMOND ,. FITZPATRICK
 one of the things that constantly nf&asea associates and observers Is Che fun knowledge that Governor Robert A. Hurley has of local con. liltlons and problems in cities and towns ell over the state. It is the usual thing, at one of the governors press conferences, when question concerning some new development an some community is brought up, tn have the chief executive not only knlk with fluent knowledge of 1t but Ne able to describe the background an considerable detail.
 This explains in part why Bob" Hurley is very seldom at loss when something new comes up and why nio, sometimes seems ready to meet klifaculties almost before they arise, It Is Co bc expected that gov-
 ernor will Dc In constant touch
 with affairs affecting the state as
 n'wholc, but it is most unusual for
 him Co have such . broad know
 ledge of affairs in affecting cities
 and towns as has been displayed
 by Governor Hurley.
 lts
 Governor Hurley showed how closely he is keeping in touch with state affairs this week when, in ad- dition to all his other work in con- nectlon with his own office and the legislature, called on the defense council for an investigation Of the rise of gasoline prices only few hours after the increase had gone into effect. His action was so swift that legislators who later introduced resolutions demanding such an in- vestigation were dumbfounded to find that the governor not only knew about the situation but had already acted on 1t.
 MA
 Az for local problems, the gov.
 ernoF iS apparently better versed with Waterbury's housing needs,
 for instance, than are many who
 are much closer to the situation
 here. It Is not at all probable that
 tho governor would feel 1t his duty to enter the local situation unless
 he felt 1t absolutely necessary, yet the fact that hc does keep In
 touch with local needs, with his
 pulse on municipal doings all
 over the state, makes lt far easier for him to act with speed and
 Judgment when he deems that
 action from the executive office Is required.
 Talking with Governor Hurley, one is time after time surprised with his familiarity with what is going on and what may soon be go- ing on in communities large and small. The extent of his knowledge ORers Q safeguard against any ma. j0r ~"fAst ones" being pulled on tho taxpayers in towns about Connec- tlcut. Not that one man can police the entire state or that Governor Hurley feels that 1t is his business to do 50, yet certainly people of a state can feel safer In knowing they have Q chief executive who knows what's going on.
 ReactiOn Co the governors nom. sinatlOns this week was not as vlo- eacsit as might have been expected
 fin view of soimc of the dire pre- dictlons. Smooth sailing ls not as. sslred for all the nominations, by any means, yet most of the critl. clsm was on tho quiet side.
 Ff IA -------
 Dropping of Commissioner Mike Connor from the motor vehicle de. partment and his replacement by Democratic State Chairman John T, Mccarthy had been predicted In this column and elsewhere as early as January. Mike is highly popular and has done good job but the governor took the stand that he has the right to make his own choices and Dc willing to stand or fall on their performance. John Mccarthy takes on heavy task but this ob- server believes that he will more than justify all tho confidence that Governor Hurley has placed in hlm Johns willingness to remain in the background has deceived many as to his real ability, but his executive ability Is shown not only by tho success of his own business in New. i, town but also by the way in which tho Democratic state campaign was carried on last fall. It was John Mo. Carthy who had much to do with having the whole state ticket elect. Al to office, in the face of dire pre- &actions that the electorate of Con. Aecticut would never approve 6 slate neaded by an Irish Catholic for Governor.
 = Nomination of Corporation sl0unsel Vincent DO0iey of New szEaven for . place on the public 1utilltles commission came as Q
 surprise to ell the prognosticators, .ssncluding thls one, and even to
 New Haven's senators, who oh.
 vlOusly weren't too highly pleased.
 Nevertheless, the governor feels
 that Mr. Dooley is able and quail. flied, and expects to see his judg. ,sments upheld.
 N .---
 is The biggest surprise came In the 4lomination of Highway Commis- Aoner William J. Cox for the two gears remaining in the term for Which the Senate refused to confirm hln two years ago. Up to almost the moment that Commissioner Cox's names went to the Senate, the gov- ernor had planned to send in an. ether nomination. The post was to co to Public Works Commissioner