The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-02-19

10 the Edltor o1 The Democrat:
 There is a distinct variation in the methods employed by the pres ent administration in its efforts to obtain a bond issue and those employed by its predecessor, the Hayes-Leary administration. Hayes and Leary in starting their bally- hoo to float bonds started with a small amount and built 1t up" as they went along to the amount that they really wanted by the time the bills came up for con- sideration in the General Assem- ply. In 1887, when their last batch of bond bills was presented, they originally gave the impression that they only wanted $l,l00,0 900. But when the bills reached the legis- lature, the amount sought jumped up to $3,100 ,000. The present ad- ministration has adopted methods that are directly the opposite. It started Its ballyhoo by floating trial balloon with the amount of $5,000, 900 stamped on it. When we started to throw dornicks at it, that was pulled in and Comptroller Conlon's long range and far fetched balloon of $3,050, 900 was sent out. And when that balloon began to be tossed around by ad- verse winds 1t also was pulled in and the administration came down to $2,100,o00. Well, that is quite a comedown. But, by and large, it is fully as unworthy propose tion as was the Hayes-Leary pro- posal in 1887. For, while the present administration has up to the present time been free from palpable waste and corruption that marked the latter years of the preceding administration, the un- deriving principle that prompts the present administration to seek these bond issues is all wrong as its main objective is to deceive the taxpayers of the city.
 Flow of Propaganda
 This 1t has done by continuous flow of propaganda during the past few months in which all kinds of extravagant claims were made, such as that the total collection of taxes for the year exceeded the total tax levy by about $150,00o. And that the total expenditures were less than $6,000,0o0. Anyone who has only a very limited knowledge of our city's affairs, knows that such an accomplish ment is practically impossible. And in claiming a surplus of $417,- 900 the administration shows very little regard for our memories. For three or four short months ago the papers devoted some space to the fact that two or three bridges in the south end were badly in need of minor repairs and the money could not be found to make them. And a development of forty to fifty houses on East Mountain is being held up because the city cannot furnish water and the proposed development is situ- ated directly across the road from the reservoir. These facts do not check with the claims of the ad- ministration. And If the admin istration's claims cannot be relied upon on these matters, how can We rely on their claims in regards to the pipe line? And why should we give them a blank check of $1, 100000 to go and do as they please with the money? It does not make sense. Let them lay a special tax of one mill. That will provide $165,0o0 in additional rev. enue and will be sufficient for one years operations. It is a good gamble that if the administration obtains the bond issue that 1t will not spend as much as that amount on the pipe line. The administra- ton is not as keen for the pipe line as 1t is for the bond issue. For it needs the bond issues to cover up the surplus" that 1t has &C., uuired last year and bigger one that will be acquired this year.
 No Need for Dam
 There is absolutely no need for another dam in Morris. The late father of our present mayor told me on number of occasions that we have enough water to supply a city of 100000 people. He should have been a fairly good authority on such matters. And we are a long way from that population figure. That proposal should be opposed absolutely and unequivo- cally.
 There still remains the matter Of the trade school. That can properly be termed as a pork bar- rel proposition. Our two senators would like to show us, their con- stituents, that they arc onto their jobs in Hartford. And the ap- proved method of making such q demonstration is to obtain q piece ol pork" for said constituents. That Is, to obtain some public inc provement, presumably at the ex' penSc Of tho state. The only piece ~ pork within reach b a trade school. Our big hearted governor smiled benlgnly and told our cen. tutors Lo dip Into the barrel and