Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-24
ONE NORWICH COMPANY IN RESERVE
Military Emysncy Board Unable to Equip All Home Gusrd Compsnies-Fhst Report to Governor Hocomb Says Responss Has Been Unsxpectediy Prompt

f Hartford in the state srmory, Tuesday,
 afternoon, April 17th. 1917. to con- s1der this probeIm,
 After discussion and careful dsiib-
 sration. # was decided that certain
 as units of ths active force or first fine. of the Home Guard. with the purpcse of making such changes or
 ssssri ssas,Gns b ana sz nishs s,s seem panfes are named by counties and towns fin statement B hereto annex , cd. The controlling principle of se- lection was the strategic and imme-
 to the state. considering the necessi- ties and the kind of industries in the several cities and towns. and the pro- lection aDf railroads. bridges. navisa- to nand other necessary means of communication.
 Reserves Without Equipment. Tn making these selections, 1t is greatly regretted that many excellent
 companies, already organized, and some mustered. must be put into fine reserve without uniforms. arms and equipment at this time. Comparison
 Of statements A and B shows, for i'm
 stance. that in Hartford county. New
 Britain offered two companies, where
 but one can be equipped: Glaston-
 bury offered four companies, where
 now 1t is not possible to equip any;
 Bristol offered two. where only one can
 be equipped: Coliinsville offered two
 which cannot be equipped: Farming
 ton, East Hartford, Granby. Union
 vile and West Hartford each offered
 company, none of which can be
 equipped now.
 of New Haven offered ten companies
 and only six can be fitted out; Mer- tden offered four and only two can
 be equipped; Orange and Milford each r0f rI be taken into the first line; along the Long Island shore. Madison offered one company. which cannot be uni formed
 wlch offered three conpanies. and only two can be taken for the active force; I Stonington and Mystic offered three and only two can be taken.
 In Lftchfield county, Torrington of fered three companies, and only two can be placed in the first line: Wa tertown offered one, which cannot be so accepted.
 Tn Fairfield county. Bridgeport and other towns offered twenty com panies and only fourteen can be arm ed and equipped In Middiesex coun- ty. fourteen companies were offered | and only six can now be accepted.
 Offer to Equip Companies.
 These statements indicate the gen eral condition throughout the state. ! In some towns generous citizens. rec ognizing the patriotic spirit of their | unteered their services in the Home I Guard. have offered to pay the ex- penses Of arning or uniforming some i of the companies already organized, l service at this time. if this board is | to be restrained from incurring the | necessary expenses.
 This board is aware that there are other towns in which it would be ad- visible to equip companies already | organized and offered.
 While, by the terms of the act by | authority of which this board was ap- pointed, no limit was placed upon the number of men to be armed uniform >d and equipped. the expense which his board may deem necessary to car Y out the purpose of the act, are to ,e paid only with the approval of he governor and the board of control"
 Provisions For 5000 Men.
 As has been stated above. this board ias made provisions and contracts for Irming. uniforuing and eQuipping an Ictive force of only 5000 men. The xpenSe thus incurred. estimated as as 1t can be now, it is be ieved will not exceed $Seo. 900. incIud- ng the cost of recruiting officers, rent ng. offices, supplies. clerical help and necessary incidentals. This board has been fortunate in se- uring the services of a chief quarter Apartment of military organization nd of an ordnance officer of the Unit States army. who, with the assist , nee of experts in arms, clothing and obtained from the Colts Ire Arms Company and the Winches- er Arms company and other sources. ( ave carefully inspected every rife. : nd all ammunition. uniforms and F, .f rSa .ss-1a i re have received, and they report that l ach article is excellent in every re- ( pect and that the prices we have con- -acted to pay are much below the resent prices. Some articles that have cen bought can be easily sold today I ,r twice as much we will pay. [ othing has been or will be accepted c nd paid for without such rigid inspec-
 This board has lately been informed lat any expense to equip and arm I l rger number of the active line sof le Home Guard than the 5000 men | ready planned for may not be ap- l -oved by the 'board of control" and
 has been suggested that this board N init it's work and expenses to the or V and equipment of a. body armed troops not larger than that For that reason this board deemed it fl scessary now to decline to accept for if e first line and to put into the re- rye lH6 COuIpdllcS 1ii01CdCCu dDONc-
 cannot now arm, uniform and equip s ny of them without disregarding the Il ishes of the authorities whose ap oval of the necessary expenses must E obtained. tS Fleet of Suppressina Patriotic Spirit. While this board believes that more ganizations might be equipped, with r asonabIe regard for the military re- iirements of the state, present and x, obable, a most important matter to :,
 thought of now is the effect of sup 1' essinE or discouraging undu1y the Ltriotfc spirit and enthusiasm of the sn who have enlisted in these com