Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-24

That only two of the three com
 panies by Norwich can be accepted for
 active service at the present time is
 the statement made by the Military Emergency Board in their first report
 to Governor Marcus IT. Hoicomb. The
 thfro company must be placed in the is unable at present to equip the men.
 The report made to the governor fol-
 On March eth, 1917, under authority ing the Home Guard enacted on that
 day by the general assembly and ap-
 proved by the governor. the Military
 Emergency Board of this state was appointed by the governor to take
 proper action to perfect and maintain
 a body of armed troops for constabu-
 lary duty within the state of Connec- | ncut, to be known as the Home Guard
 The next day this board entered up- | on the performance of it's duties, and sent one of it's members to New York ! to communicate with manufacturers and dealers in military arms and supp plies. On March 1eth call was is- sued to all male citizens and male res- fdents of this state, between the ages Of 16 and 50, who were physically ca- paole Of performing constabulary duty within this state and who could not De held for service in the Connecti- cut National Guard in time of peace,
 to enlist in the Home Guard of this OlQceTS
 pointed and supplied with enlistment
 blanks and instructions
 At that time. 1t was the intention of thlS board to accept the enlistment of all male citizens and all such male residents of this state. and from them to organize, uniform, arm and eQuip an active military force, or first line, of about 5000 men. to which should De assigned the younger men or those most fit physically for guard. patrol and riot duty, and to form into re- serves the men less fit for such duty, but Who might. if 1t should, be neces- sary. to transferred to the first line and who could meantime give valua- ble service in many ways It seemed 10 the board deSirable not only to ere ate an efficient constabulary force but also to recognize the patriotic spirit and accept the offer of service be useful to the state and nation in this emergency in any way. More over, 1t was desired and expected that many of the younger men who were not then inclined to enlist in the Ma l 1onal Guard or the army or navy of l the United States. would soon do so or ce drafted: and 1t was distinctly stat ed that the Home Guard would not | De used by any man to escape the performances Of his full military duty up to the measure of his eapabfIity It l was anticipated that many of the re- serves would soon be transferred to |
 
 those who had gone into the national | service where they belonged.
 About 4,ooo Infsntrymen.
 Of the active force. or first line. about 1000 should be infantry, about | SSo machine gun men, and the others | In the river patrol. medical and sup IAS snd other units Such an organ and uniforms and equipments about 4,OO0 rifles. 20 machine guns and 800 to 1000 revolvers. A reasonable sun ply Of blankets must also be provid-
 Within three days nearly all of these supplies had been contracted for at prices which were from Is to 50 per cent. less than the prices asked for rounds of cartridges were bought at &oout SSe.o0 per thousand less than than they would cost today. Most of he rifles were bought for less than asn or the prico that has since been asked for the same kind of guns
 Response Unexpectedly Prompt.
 The response to the czll for enlist. md large from all parts of the state. on April 1sth the reports received at leaoQuarters of this board indicated , hat approximately 10000 men had apre than 100 companies of infantry, i've machine gun companies. two river ( ,atrol divisions, four motor transport , companies, and other proper auxiliary , lnits, A detailed statement of these $ hereto attached as statement A. Is
 In addition to the enfstments so re- { 'orted, informal reports of enlist C nents, signed but not forwarded, mounting to about 5000. were receiv- t
 It will be noted that there are now a nough men enlisted to form more c nan 1VO Infantry companies. who, if ' rmed at all. must be armed with e files. It was originally intended to ,s rgantze companies with a maximum | f T5 men and 5 officers. To carry [ ut that plan. if we should take all ! he companies offered, would require ( lore than 1000 rifles. It was there ! ore decided to reduce the strength of a n infantry company to 65 men and { ficers. That plan, if we accept all he companies offered, would require | bout 5000 rifles. and would, with the l; lachine gun and other units. make a t 0rce of about 1500 men. It was plain. . therefore, that the board would not e able. with the arms and uniforms Il mich 1t had purchased. to arm and Il quip a forme so large
 Necessary to Select Companies. n Hence it became necessary for the oard acting with the advice and as- n stance of the governor. to decide Il hich of the companies offered would s be, most and sooner useful, Ii l the present emergency, to protect a. le lives. property and public and w industries Of the state. D Colonels had already been appoint b to organize regiments in Hartford 2 'unty. New Haven county, Fairfield ,unty, New London county, Middle K county and in the Nausatuck Va1- ol y, and & chief of railroad transpor- ~ tion- They were directed to meet q ith the governor and this board in z pl