The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-10-16
Hurley Charged With Operating Gravy Train
Comptroller Zeer in Radio Address Attack Democrats
 Standard Bearers Record in Public Works Dept.

New London, Oct, l6--Comptrol- Ter Fred R. Teller of Stonington. speaking here tonight In the Inter- est of reelection of the entire Re. publican team," charged that under the administration of Robert A. Hurley as Governor, the Public Works Department twas Q very convenient gravy-train," and de. clNred that Hurley 'rose to favor in Is party councils" when he was commissioner of public works "be. cause of his strategleally important position" In providing Jobs for par- ty members,
 The comptoller, under whose di- rection the construction, mAlnten- anee and repair of state buildings were placed when the loAS General Assembly carried out Governor Baldwin's recommendation and abolished the Public Works depart- ment, declared that tour experience for Q fiscal year, and over, bears out in every particular the gover- norS hope and expectation,
 ob.II0lder's Paradise
 Citing examples of how the Pub lie Works department operated aS a job.holder'S Paradise under the Democrats" Comptroller Zeller said the department had three executive positions, Q commissioner At 5000, a deputy commissioner Nt $e000, nd a supervisor of maintenance at SS400, for Q total of S20, 400 for exc. eutiVes' salaries alone, and declared, under the state comptroller the same work Is done by one executive, the assistant deputy comptroller, who receives 6 yealy salary os T'' S00."
 under the Public Works depart ment in tho Hurley administration, zeller said, "rhere were 64 people on the payroll, whereas under the state comptroller there are eight employees" and asserted, under Governor Baldwin's administration the comptroller has planned and directed q comparable volume Of construction ct c cost greatly bee low that of the Public Works de- pertinent"
 Comptroller Teller, citing conl- parative costs of operation for man. aging public works under the abol- ished department, and under the present comptroller'S department, declared, The Public Works De- partment aS 1t functions under the Democratic administration was Q perfect example of bureaucracy run rampant - the type of bureaucracy that the New Deal party sponsors and fosters in our local, state and national governments when 1t has the opportunity. Jobs on the public payroll Is 6 policy to which they apply themselves vigorously and consistently
 He asserted, We offer to the people of Connecticut the adminis- tration of the states public works under the state comptroller as an example of the nigh standard which Governor Baldwin and his state of- Acers maintain, for sound value In public expenditure, for wise ea. couragement of private enterprise, as the best means of providing employment for all who desire 1t"
 Baldwin Quoted
 Teller quoted from Governor Baldwin's i943 inaugural address, in which the governor said, "Politi. cal jobholding is bad politics at any time. It is particularly bad poli- tics now because of the great cost of the war and the great need of man and woman power" and that ws.IIs "acedeG repairs must con- tinue. they do Eot require any costly, elaborate set-up," and the comp troller then said the comparison of costs "are conclusive proof that Governor Baldwin was wise and fore- sighted in recommending to the 194S general assembly that the pub lie works department be abolished: and the general assembly likewise served the people of Connecticut well in voting to abolish the depart ment and to transfer its duties and responsibilities to the state comp roller"
 MT. Zeller, whose address was broadcast over statewide network,