New Britain herald., 1917-03-10
kLEIT fAVoRS Law J
TO ENFORCE CENSUS
Director Might Be Sent to Jail
Under Terms

While there has been very little
difficulty m New Britain to get men
to fill out the military census blanks.
such has not been true all over thu.
state and at the Hartford headquar-
tiers it is stated that almost 200 re-
fusalS were on record. These are d.
vided into four groups, one composed
of pro-Germans and Irish who dislike
England; one composed Of those with
extreme socialistic tendencies; one
composed OF extreme pacifists and
fourth group OF men who fear that
by signing this paper they will pc
more liable to be called upon for mill
itary duty.
Penalty For Census, Law.
+. At present there. Is no penalty at
tached to this law which provides for
the military. enrolment, so 1t Is inn
possible to enforce it when refusals
are met. However, at yesterdays
session of the senate, Senator George
w. Klett of this city, chairman of the
judiciary committee which drafted the
original law, introduced the follow
ing bill under a suspension of rules:
Section 4. Any person who shall
refuse to give Information to mill
itary census enumerator acting under
the provisions Of Chapter I of the
Public Acts of 1917, or who shall
hinder or obstruct such enumerator
while In the performance Of his du-
ties. shall be fined not less than SO
nor more than $50, or Imprisoned not
more than six months or both.
Section 2. Any person who shall
refuse to testify before any court
regarding any matter under the pro-
visions Of this act or Chapter Of
Public Acts OF 1917, shall be impris-
oned until he shall testify.
Section 5. This act shall take eff
feet from, Its passage.
Upon motion Of Senator Klett, the
bill was referred to the judiciary
committee.
III Meeting 1t Z O'clock Tonight.
Yesterday there was unusual ac-
tivity among the census workers, not
only In the Office at city hall, but also
with those doing outside duty. Sew
seral agents were busily engaged In
various parts Of the city taking the
census OF ~ many persons as they
could approach. Tomorrow, how
ever, the real work of canvassing the
houses will begin, and 1t is expected
that q very large force Of agents will
be at work in every quarter OF the
city. Interpreters Of all languages
have been secured to aid in the work,
and II any person approached cannot
fully understand what Is Wanted he
wifr~be properly enlightened.
This evening at o'clock sharp
"A a = =
quarters to give Instructions to the
canvassers and to those who are to
take any part in the work. Chairman
a +. corbin invites all persons who.
would Ike to assist in the work to
present themselves at the, Office this
evening at the appointed hour.
me desire ON the part of the
young people to assist In the census
taxing ~ again brought to the fore
cS, the following. lettcr which was
! :saaressed TO Chairman Corbin yes
terday: That we may show our de-
sire 70 Cooperate with and our ap-
provai OF the work being done by the
census bureau, we the members of
the Civic league Of the Preyocational
! Grammar school offer our services in
any way the bureau may suggest.
rusting there may be some way IN
which we may serve, we remain
Respectfully yours,
GERTRUDE KLAs,
Secretary.
( II Prevocational Grammars School
Civic League.
Many Willing Workers.
1t is such expressions of willing
ness to do something which causes
the character of young America to