The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-01-23
BY JACK AMMAN

Un1ted Press Statf correspondent
 Hartford, Conn.,, Jan. 23-UP) Mayor George w. Coyle of New Britain is being strongly backed by public utilities reform advo- cates for appointment by Gov. Hurley as state public utilities commissioner.
 Mayor Coyle, Democrat, is now serving his second term. His ad- ministration has been distingui- shed by a relentless effort to re- duce public utilities rates at New Britain. The administration claims to have reduced these rates by $250,00O since Mayor Coyle took office.
 Gov. Hurley will have two pub- lie utilities commission appoint ments. Former State Sen. George T. Culhane, D., Waterbury, has been mentioned for some time for one of the posts, but it was be- lieved certain that Gov. Hurley has made no commitments what soever.
 Mayor Coyle was the author of the public utilities plank in the Democratic state platform. AL though he seconded the nomina- ton of former Gov. Cross at the state convention last year, Coyle has been close to Gov. Hurley and is in sympathy with the Governors move to liberalize the public utili- tioc cnt-Ilrn in tho cfofo
 In the two weeks since Gov. Hurley took office, he has won the strong respect and friendship of the State Capitol newspapermen for his frank and open discussion of all questions that come up.
 Much of the information, of course, is off the record' But the knowledge of these develop mentS permits newspapermen to judge their stories accordingly, and no cOnfidenceS have been broken or will be.
 For the first time in several years the press feels it knows what is going on, and doesn't have to depend on getting the news sec Ond hand from informants whose reliability is questionable. In fact, it is the other way around. The legislators frequently read about it in the newspapers.
 Another warming thing is the opportunity to hold lengthy press conferences daily. During Coy. BaIdwin's administration, exec utive Secretary James B. Lowell used to interrupt these sessions with the admOnitiOn that the gOv- ern0r was behind in his appoint mentS. Frequently these breaks came in the middle of some im- pOrtant discussion. Gov. HurIey's Executive Secretary, James E. Murphy, does not disturb the press conference.
 There is strong group within the Democratic party which is moving heaven and earth to win a reappointment for Motor Vehicles Commissioner Michael A. Connor. This section feels a failure to give Connor another -four years would be disastrous for the party, be- cause of the commissioners rec ord and the many friends he has made. In fact, one of the men most prominently mentioned for Connor'S job in inside circles is working hard for the commits sioners reappointment.
 State Sen. Joseph ID. COoney, D., Hartford. is said to be seeking appointment as U. s. District At tOrney, a post now held by Robert F. Butler. Butler is serving on an interim appointment, and report has it will not be reappointed. For mer Attorney General Dennis O'COnnOr also is a candidate.
 State Sen. John L. Sullivan, D., New Britain, who has been men, toned frequently for various pub- lie posts. no longer is interested. Sen. Sullivan has just gained a high-paid job in private industry and will continue his political eff forts without seeking appointive office.
 Sen. Sullivan, by the way. is ex pected to make a strong attack on public utilities in the Senate, where he is chairman of the new