The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-05-13
Politics
In
Passing

I
Nothing accustomed more com
ment during the past week on tn
political front than the announce
Ynent from Hartford that ex-Maycl
Thomas J. Spellacy was willing Il
accept the Democratic nomination
for u. s. Senator. For some month
past now It has been rumored tina
the Hartford political leader was II
the mood to return to the politica
wars and it was generally assumed
that he either would like to heat
the ticket as gubernatorial candi'
date or joust with Senator John A
Danalner for the right to 60 dow
to washington. Mr.. Spellacy's an
nouncement in the Hartford pres
contained the following: =
shall accept this nomination If i
can be obtained without solicitation
upon my part and without entering
into any Of the usual maneuverinc
to obtain a nomination and cleo.
ton :"
Many have been the terms APP
plied TO REORGANIZATION activities
on the part Of politicians and pO-
liticaI commentators, but II has
remained for the former Hartford
mayor TO impart a new one -
lnaneuvering. How, though, any.
one can hope to obtain q place on
the Democratic ticket in COnnec-
ticut, particularly this year, with
out this ''usual maneuvering'' Is
difficult to understand. It would
seem as II only the most adrOlt
mAneuvers would be required to
secure such q nomination, what
with the party presently beset
with factions and striving to eS-
tablish one definite leadership.
Elimination Of the aldermanic
claims committee has been hotly
debated in Hartford. Efforts are on
the increase there to give the Corp
grafton Counsel's office complete
control Of this phase Of municipal
business. In Waterbury whenever
the aldermanic law committee meets
it has the benefit of the presence
of representatives of the Corpora
ton Counsels office. In Hartford
the case Is advanced that with the
legal department adequately set up
to handle all claims for personal
and property damages there is nc
need for an aldermanic committee
sitting In judgement on such cases
However. charter requirements OF
city ordinances must be satisfied ir
this respect.
Federal largess Is definitely ap-
preciated and solicited in COnnec-
ticut. Once upon time there were
those public officials who did not
want to have their communities
regassled as In need Of Uncle
Sans aid in promoting public
works. The Omnibues flood control
bill, that just passed the House
Of Representatives and faces an
increase In funds to be expended
In New England at the hands of
the Senate, will give the Manga
tuck Valley q $4,000, 900 dam and
reservoir a mile or so north Of
ThemaSton. No one ever thought
that 1t would require such an ex-
penditure to protect the cities and
towns Of the valley from the
rampaging Naugatuck River. The
worst floods never produced an
aggregate damage total equal to
this proposed expenditure. To date
NO opposition to the War Depart
nnent plans has cropped up In
Naugatuck Valley towns save in
the press, which consistently op-
posed such a costly undertaking,
even when first preached years
ago.
The Fifth Congressional District
jefferson Day Dinner. scheduled for
the Elton tonight, could be the
sounding board for a host of polite
al candidates., but q talk with pro-
motors convinces that efforts to
make any such announcements will
be squelched. Mayor John S. Mon
agan is to be the POSTMASTER for
the occasion and his program of
aggenda includes one Speech-that
by U. s. Senator Francis T. Maloney
of Meriden. There1l be a few other
Democratic mayors present beside
the local one, but they will only be
asked to say few words to the an
ticipated large gathering. However
that isn't going to prevent potential
candidates and their supporters do
ing yoemen work in the Hobbies and
around the tables in the interests of
desired nominations.
Three people mentioned for the
Fifth District congressional NOM
ination ON the Democratic side are
expected TO attend the Waterbury
dinner. Peter Higgins, the CLIO
candidate from TOrrington, w.
Harry Byrnes Of WATERFOWL, and
Atty. Michael v. Blansfield Of this
city, all, are expected to be among
those present In addition County
Commissioner Charles p. Harring-
ton Of Kent, who Is now conduct
ing . One-man campaign against
conditions at the Newt0wn State
Hospital, will attend with q group
Of northwestern Connecticut Dem.
Ocrats.
Senator Francis T. Maloney has
q busy month still ahead Of him
along the speaking front. After his
local engagement tonight he Is
scheduled 70 deliver the commence
ment address at Catholic University
May II and will also speak at the
Fourth Degree Assembly banquet Of
the Knights Of Columbus at Hart
ford May %. A. long last the State
Manual and Register rs off the
presses. Mrs. Frances Reddiek, Sec
Rotary Of State, started distributing
copies this week Hartford nov
has an ordinance prohibiting the
placing OF tin cans In rubbish, Tts