The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-06-20
RECRUITING TO
 BE PUSHED ON
 FOURTH OF JULY
Every Community In State to Dedicate Day to National
 3 Service.

Every community in Connecticut will celebrate July this year as a day of consecration to national ideals and a day of dedication to national service. if the Connecticut state coun- cil defense succeeds in plans which it has undertaken through it's committee on publicity. The defense council has decided that Ind. pendence Day means more to the American this year than it usually does, and has voted to re- quest officials in every town to con- sider tffs special significance and ar- range for the observance of the day in such a manner that all the im- pressiveness of American tradition will be brought home to Connecticut citi- zens on this occasion.
 It is not the purpose of the state defense council to interfere in any way dependence Day which many com munities already have developed. Its purpose is to induce communities in which no plans have been made for Fourth of July celebration to begin preparations at once for a proper ob- servance of the day. Some form of SAk'SS$Oo munity by Governor Marcus H. Hol- comb and his war council.
 The council of defense publicity committee is now engaged in preparing a list of persons in the various conn amunities to whom it may appeal for assistance in putting through it's In dependence Day celebration plans. Features which it will recommend for the programs include flag raisings,
 music, both vocal and Instrumental, and speaking. The committee recom- mends that each town secure outside speakers as far as possible. and of fers the CO., operation of it's speakers, bureau in arranging for these patriotic addresses It wil1 ask the various communities to consider the advtsa- bility of special recognition on Inde- pendence Day this year for those men between the ages of 21 and 31 who registered on June under the selec- tive service law, both at the church service on Sunday, July 1, and at the patriotic gatherings on Wednesday, July 4.
 Recognizing the position in which America finds itself 'on this Fourth of July, the defense councils commit tee is pointing out the special religious significance Of the occaAon. The various communities will be asked, in planning their programs for the day, ito consider that the independence eel ebrated on July was fought for by geaerations of Americans, and that the nation has now come to an hour when its citizens must fight to maintain that independence so dearly bought Every community is to be urged fe make the celebration of Independence Day, 1917, a day of consecration to national Ideals, a day of recognition of leadership from above. and day of preparation for service.
 The council of defense has taken the position that the sale and use of fireworks this year should be discour- aged in all communities in the state. Tn place of the fireworks. which in the past have been costly. in life, limb and money, public patriotic demonstra- tions are strongly urged.
 It is also probable that plans Will De nerfected with a day or two for g vigorous recruiting campaign for Con nectic,1t National Guard, and that re cruiting son Independence Day may form one of the principal features of this occasion.