The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-08-08

WaterburyS 46 delegation votes predominated at the convention scene held in the Torrington town hall last night and after the local group passed on the first ballot. at which time Higgins led his nearest opponent by only 3 votes, the entire 46 votes were cast for the cI!O. man. thus giving him the nomina- ton.
 The convention likewise witnessed the withdrawal from the race of Attorney Michael M. Blansfield of Waterbury who in a brief address refused to allow his name to be of- fered for vote in view of the fact that the Waterbury delegation "has refused and failed to support my candidacy.
 Agreement Kept
 Consensus among the conyen- ton delegates and witnesses agreed that the C. l. O. leaders were as- founded that victory was suddenly theirs when the announcement was made of the Waterbury vote for Higgins. The local delegation in caucus previous 10 the convention had agreed that any one candidate showing sufficient strength. follow ing the first balloting. to receive the majority. by means of Waterbury's vote. would be supported by the latter group on the second ballot. This proved to be the case with Hig- gins although the casting of the local 46 votes to Edward Clancy Of Ansonia would have meant victory for the latter. over Higgins. with a nomination total sufficient by one- quarter vote.
 w. Harry ByrneS toward whom it was generally felt previous to the convention opening the Waterbury group was more favorably inclined received a total. on the first bal- lot. of 42 l-2 votes.
 The victorious candidate will now likely appose Cong. Joseph E. Tal- bot (RD Of Naugatuck whose nom- inati0n is expected tomorrow night at the Republican convention sched- uled for Waterbury at The Elton. It seemed most probable that vigorous personal campaign will be waged by the C. I. O. Political Ac- tion committee. supporting Hig- gins, against Talbot who has been classified" by them as mot dis posed towards labor's true interests
 Higgins is a past president and organizer of the Torrington Aerie of Eagles. a member of the Knights of Columbus. the Torrington War Price and Rationing Board and the Veterans Service Council. He is a former football player and was an amateur boxer in his youth.
 Conference Held
 The Waterbury vote was cast for Higgins immediately following a summary Of the first ballot totals by J. Francis Smith and Mayor John s. Monagan after which time the former gave the name of the C. I. O. candidate to Patrick r. Shea. president of the local board of aldermen. to record as recipient of the local support.
 Higgins gained his first ballot ma ajority as result of obtaining al- most solid support Of the delegates from the 30th senatorial district and q gOodby share of the 3ist district. Clancy received seven and one-half votes from the 18th district and all votes from the i7th. Byrnes re- eeiyed the entire strength of the 32nd district and scattered votes elsewhere.
 Absent were the following dele gates; from Wolcott; 2 l-2 from Nangatuck, ( from New Hartford: { from colebrook and 2 from Warren.
 City controller Neil P. Maloney proposed the nomination of new committee to call the next conven- ton and the motion was adopted resulting in the renominatiOn of the Incumbent committee plus the addi- tion of one new member to fill an existing vacancy.
 Peter cayanaugh of Torrington was chosen as the new member while those renOminated were Att torney Prank Healey and Bernard q. Reilly of Waterbury and Charles Stanyke of Derby.
 Prank Healey and Mr. Reilly were made permanent convention chaif- men and secretary respectively last night and considerable praise was heard for the dispatch of business at last nights scene as result Of Attor- ney Healey's ehairmanship,
 4 moment of silence was observed in tribute to the late Mayor Vincent A. Seully of Waterbury Complete support Of the Roosevelt administra- ton was pledged by the convention last night while high tribute was paid to the sacrifices being made oD the war fronts by the men of Amer iea,
 SummsTg
 The following is a summary Of the total votes by districts and toyns within the districts
 Fourteenth district Naugatuck gave two and One-half votes tO Hig- gins, five and One-half to Clancy and One-half vote 10 Byrnes. Pros poet gave its two votes 10 Clancy,
 Seventeenth district: Clancy ip making a clean sweep received the following votes, Ansonia, F, Sear con Falls, ?; Derby, 8; Mlddlebuly 2; OSfOrd, ?; seymour, C; soutbS bury 2,
 Thirteenth district; Goshen gave 2 to Higgins and 3 10 Clancy; Hary winlOn east { for Higgins, Itehaeld and PogTingtOD l5 for Higgins,
 Thirtyrtlrst district, Barkhalllr stead and Cornwall east their three votes each for ByIpes; Clancy TeE eeIyed one from Kent and one from Norfolk Higgins received the i0l' lowing votes iD the district ca- naan, 2, Kent, !; North Canaan, 2; Norfolk, 3; Salisbury, s; sharon, (; Winchester, 2,
 sand district Bethlehem gave LgO votes to Clancy and the remainder 0g the delegates from this section favored Byrnes as follows; Bridge