The Waterbury Democrat., 1946-02-16
Politics
in
Passing

4 Mayor Cornelius Moylan Of
Hartford has more than had his
an Of public life since taking ove1
khe reins Of office in the Capitol
city. While he Isn't too much con-
cerned with the current conspiracy
trial involving e former COP Regis
krar Of Hartford, he IL certainly
tOncerned with the dispute over the
tax rate which ended Thursday
night with adoption Of . 32-mill
rate, two more than the 1915 rate
but two less than had been plan
ned by fiscal authorities. It took
khrcngs Of protesting taxpayers tc
bring about the reduction in the
proposed tax rate. But in the midst
bf all this there was the prospect
bf q 1900, 900 deficiency bond Issue
before the public. That, however
didn't even meet the o. x. Of the
eity's finance officers who vehe-
tmently protested such o means Of
making both ends meet. Years ago
Waterbury used this method Of
balancing the budget. With q de-
tlcit anticipated refunding bonds
would be Issued, the proceeds to be
used to pay Of bond redemption In
the current year. It's not an ideal
method Of financing although
Bridgeport seems to like it and
claims that it has worked to its
advantage during the McLevy re-
gime.
Oddly enough the Hartford SIT
kMtlOn b about the opposite Of
Ahe Waterbury one. In Hartford
there has been . gradual increase
Of recent years In the grand list
with q more or less constant tax
rate. But apparently now the
trend h towards Q higher rate Of
taxation 70 take care Of inCreaS-
ed costs Of governmental services.
In Waterbury the grand list b
increasing, while the tax rate Is
dropping. Governmental services
In this city aren't going to be any
cheaper than they are In Hart
ford, 80 the chances are that Wa
tcFbury will have 10 keep up its
tax levy, although IL may drop
the tax rate In 50 doing. The only
way 70 accomplish this II by an
increased grand list.
Considerable comment has been
made in the public press on the
presence Of former Postmaster
General James A. Farley in the
party Of American clergy going to
Rome for the Papal conSiStory ct
which several new American cardi.
mails will be created. A number Of
scathing articles have already APP
peared In which Mr.. Farley has
been taken to tack for making the
trip and also for taking his wife
along with him. Nothing has been
said, % yet, about the presence In
the party Of ex-Mayor Joseph Nc
Zee Of New York.
walter Brooks win probably be
Interested In the current sQuabble
IA the Bridgeport city govern
menE II revOlves around the
contested right Of the Board Of
EducatiOn TO AZ salary schedules
for teachers and to compel the
Board Of AppOrtlOnment and
Taxation 70 provide the necessary
funds to meet the payments. The
PARK City School Board plans TO
carry this matter into the courts
n Il can't get satisfaction. Wal
ter has maintained for many
years that WatebuEy's Board Of
EducatiOn has virtual supreme
control ever all its expenditures
and That no confirmation Of them
b required by the Board Of FL
nance. Everyone doesn't agree
with this Theory, though, which Is
based ON an old statute. Local
officials feel that the city, charter
established through special action
Of the Legislature, takes proceed
ence over Q general law.
Ordinarily Connecticut Republic
cans would be chortling at this time
over the prospects of running away
with the So-called off-year cleo
tions. But 1915 may not prove too
successful o year for them, unless
there Is q sharp upheaval among
voters this fall. In the first place
the Republicans have to make over
practically their entire ticket. Their
representatives In Congress already
have given notice Of intentions not
to run-See statements by Reps.
Joseph Talbot and Glare Boothe
Luce Of recent weeks. Gov. Ray
mond Z. Baldwin handed in his
quitting notice in 1046. Attorney
General William L. Haddon has not
run for his present office before and
xunor occasionally links his name
with that Of the gubernatorial nom
nation, so 1t may be that all up
and down the line the Republicans
viii be seeking material with which
to WOO the voter.
CongresswOman Luc e's secre-
4sFy, Albert p. MoranO Of Green
wich, b said to aspire to succeed
mis- giamOr0us boss in Washing
ton. No one has been trOtted out
70 take "JOe" TalbOt's place on
Ahe Republican side, but once the
warm weather arrives In the Maui
attack Valley thereIl be a horde
Of candidates anxious 70 make the
rum, despite the rigOrs and dis
eomferts Of q twO-tOwn existence
which election demands. Col.
Henry Mucci Of Bridgeport,
WEIRD War III hero, Is said 10 be
the man the Fairfield County