The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-03-05
REMOVAL OF COX
 IS NOW DEMANDED
Continued from Page D

connection with highway depart- ment dealings with two contracting firms, the Gammino and Savin companies.
 AmpIified Charges
 Now, following an intensive two- weeks investigation of various com plaintS made in connection with highway department activities, Pallotti has amplified his charges to include 9 counts.
 The first case mentioned in Pal lotti's 17-page bill of particulars served on Commissioner Cox last night concerned construction of a surface over the Stratford avenue bridge at Bridgeport, a contract awarded to Contractor Joseph Ma riani, New Haven, a major on Gov Hurley's staff.
 Pallotti alleged Cox entered into verbal agreement with the Mari ami firm to construct the decking, even though former Gov. Raymond E. Baldwin had urged him to hold up award of the contract for "in- vestigation." Further, the attorney general said, actual construction did not begin until a year after award of the contract, and that the bridge decking, appurtenances and other contract items were not con- Structed in accordance with the plans and specifications of said project
 Another Project
 On another project for recon struction of the floor of the Old Saybrook- Lyme bridge, Pal lotti said two bids-those of the Marfani company and the Silliman & Godfrey firm-were made out "in the same handwriting, and you have taken no steps whatsoever III reference to this matter
 Pallotti alleged Cox failed ito exercise reasonable supervision" over town aid funds administered by the highway division. In at least 20 towns receiving these funds Pallotti said no inspections were made covering material purchased and delivered"
 "In various towns" Pallotti said, material purchased and paid for by the state for town aid roads has been diverted to other purposes"
 Further, the attorney general wrote, Cox violated merit system by giving certain highway employees Especial educational advantages at the expense of the state"
 Accused Employees
 These employesa Pallotti said, were Ernest T. Perkins, M. Alfred Kaehrle, and Stephen E. Butter field, who were given leaves of ab- sence to attend Yale University, and were paid part salary. Pallotti said this was discrimination against other employees and that state funds were expended under your direction for which there was no authorization in law
 Pallotti charged Cox failed to ex- ercise adequate supervision over the Portland and Eao Haddam plants of the highway division. He failed also, the attorl y general charged, ito cooperate" with the state labor department in enforce ment of wage complaints on the New London -Groton bridge.
 On this bridge construction, Pal lotti said, the Savin contracting firm was permitted ito depart ma terially from the specifications governing the contract"
 Cox, Pallotti said, interfered with investigations into highway department affairs, and failed to cooperate with Gov. Hurley and himself in certain cases.
 Cox attempted "to hamper and state highway department" Pallotti impede the investigation of the said,' by "his conduct and action" with employees Arthur N. Johnson, Arthur M. Walters, John E. Toohey, Charles F. Daley, Thomas N. Red- ding, w. D. E. Colgan, and Fred erick E. Halton.
 Cox Ready To Fight
 Hartford, Conn, March 5-(UP) Denying that he had "any inten- tion or thought of resigning," sus- pended Highway Commissioner William J. Cox declared today he was prepared to fight charges of "r sconduct, material neglect of dl / and incompetence" brought az Inst him by Attorney General Francis A. Pallotti to oust him from office.
 My administration said Cox, "has been marked neither by in- competence nor by material neglect of duty-and I might add, nor by misconduct"
 Attending a conference with his attorney to prepare defense against 9 accusations filed by the attorney general, Cox declared T will be there at the hearing" and that he wanted only an opportu- nity to present his side of the case fairly and fully to the public"