The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-07-24
Politics
-M-
Passing

4 uSStHS
City officials may not be saying
much about it, but they are giving
Bone thought to one section of the
fecently-approved bill which creates
= special commission to study the
municipal pension system in Water
bury and make recommendations
This particular section allows the
commission to charge expenses to
the city government. There is no
item in the 1913 budget to which
such an expense might be charged.
Furthermore, city officials wonder
Il the expenses of such commits
sion might not amount to sizeable
figure II any extensive survey of the
local pension situation were made
and actuarial assistance secured.
Members of this special commission
include Rep. Arthur Tanner Of
Woodbury., c. Arthur Dubois, Sena-
tors John F. Tobin and Frank Sum-
ma, Kenneth Robinson, City Con-
troller Cornelius F. Maloney. and
Police Board Chairman william
Nerriker.
These days of fuel scarcity re-
ers to plan coal purchases differ
emily. At one time the city did
plan its budget so that various de-
partments could be sure of their
seasons supply of coal. But the
last couple of years the budget
simply provided for such purchas-
Is from January 1 through De-
cember 81. Now the Fire Depart
ment has led off with request
that it be given sufficient funds
with which to buy enough coal for
firehouses this summer to last not
Just through December 31st, but
until the winter of 1914 has ended,
which would seem to be the eff
Client way of buying for all depart
ments.
Bill Walsh in the Bridgeport Post
Of some days ego predicts dire
things ahead for the large Demo-
cratic cities of Connecticut. For eX-
ample he says; TN none Of these
cities are Democratic prospects rosy.
In Waterbury raging fight is going
on between the Monagan admins
tration and other supporters of j.
Francis Smith on one side and Sem
ntor John F. Tobin on the other in
Hartford the popular Republican,
Senator Bill Mortenson Is expected
to be the G. o. P. nominee against
Mayor Dennis O'Connor who re-
Gently was named to that office
after Tom Spellacy resigned. Inter
nal dissension is a real threat to
Democrats in the Capital City. In
New Haven Mayor John w. Muir
ply Is expected to make another bid
Tor reelection against growing Re-
publican strength and without the
campaign aid of the late David E.
Fitzgerald. In Bridgeport Democrats
20 far appear to be without a can
Siidate against Mayor McLevy, with
1Republicans in a similar fix .. :"
= CITY commissioners and officials
! looking over some of the appur-
! tenances at the waterwOrks up at
( Morris recently were lavish in
their praise Of what had been
! done to improve Waterbury's sup
My of potable water. The chlor-
mating and pumping plants, which
were closely inspected, came in for
considerable praise, because they
! are up-to-date, immediately
! maintained, and highly efficient.
ns one member Of the party put
It 1T certainly pays to get the
best"
Senator Hatch of New Mexico is
continuing his crusade for purity in
politics. He has more ideas on how
elections should be conducted. In
fact now he wants the government
70 pay the expenses for politica!
campaigns Of persons aspiring to
federal Office. Under the existing
Hatch Act candidate for the U. S.
Senate may spend up to $3.50 to
get himself elected, while candi-
date for the House of Representa-
lives can only spend $1,000, but Sen
etor Hatch and others claim that
sven such limits as these aren't eff
kective and that election expendi-
lures are too high.
Former State Senator Michael
v. Blansfield Of this city and John
/ Royston have been reelected chair
, man and secretary, respectively, OF
! the Savings Bank Life Insurance
Fund, which was brought into ex-
istence during the 1941 legislative
session largely through the efforts
Of the local lawyer. incidentally,
they will tell you in political cir
eles that Mr.. Blansfield's activities
IN behalf Of this type of low-cost
insurance contributed to his de-
feat ut the polls in 1912 by Sen
ator Frank Summa-
IT'S safe to say Waterbury officials
will keep wary eye on priority Ger
tificates for many months to come
after their experience in trying to
secure some so that the citys Child
Care Center on Prospect Street
might be opened. Forms galore
clutter the pathway to approval by
the WPB. And seldom does an ap-
plicant get by with the first set of
forms submitted. Some technically
can always be found that demands
= second set and often a third or
fourth, before officialdom is salts
ned. And all the time the appli-
cant stews and the project hangs
fire, even though it may be aided
with federal funds, as is the case
here in Waterbury with the Child
Care Center.
Republican activity is noticeable
IN the past week or ten days.
Strenuous efforts are being made
- est pablic reaction towards po-
a~r,kfal cop may0ralty candidates