New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-17


strength as no other state in the
Union ever has. The emergency war
census" it undertook after the sever
ance of diplomatic relations with Ger
many will be finished, it is believed
before the end Of next month.
Every man will be listed, and OPP
posite his name will be his age, trade
military experience and family respon-
sibility. Every factory will be listed
and opposite each will be not only the
nature and amount Of goods it turns
out but the nature and amount of war
supplies il could turn out under press
ure.
Under the active direction Of Gov
ernor Holcomb, 5000 volunteer work
ers are engaged in the preparation OF
a card catalogue of the entire male
population sixteen years of age and
over. There are more than 100000.
This will bear complete details, show
ing the age, nationality and physical
condition.
1t will show whether the man listed
has any one dependent on him and
thus whether 1t would he fair to allow
him to enlist in the army at the first
call 1t will show whether he has had
any mechanical, professional or mil
itary experience and thus whether it
would be wise Tor the government TO
allow him to bear a rifle when, per-
haps, he might render far more valua-
bic service as a surgeon or munitions
worker or member Of the signal corps
Every Factory To BE Listed
SIMILARLY, every factory, large and
small, is being listed separately. Con-
fidential and closely guarded informa-
ton given by the owners to the Gov
ernor will afford him an exact idea OF
the resources of every industry. He
will know, too, how many workers,
trained and unframed, are needed to
equip each factory and how easily new
workers can be trained to take the
places of the more highly skilled who
may be needed elsewhere.
Men long familiar with the affairs
of the state declare that never before
have the people of Connecticut given
to anything such united support and
such enthusiastic Endorsement as this
undertaking.
The proposal to make the inventory
was placed before Governor Holcomb
by one of the leading attorneys Of
Hartford on the night following Presi-
dent Wilson's announcement of the
break in relations with Germany.
The Governor was quick to seize the
idea. He arranged to address a joint
session of the Assembly the following
Tuesday morning February g.. In just
eight hundred words he outlined what
he wanted.
Citing the costly experience of Great
Britain, he said that "a prerequisite of
a mobil. Zation of men and industries Is
the collection and classification of in
formation as to the available resources
of the country. If we are to serve
bravely and efficiently, we must begin
early and act promptly"
Within an hour after the Governor
had finished speaking the bill provid-
ing for the census, approved by both
houses, was presented for mis- sigma
ture. The law itself contains just 1913
words IL directs the Governor to pro-
coed forthwith" with the inventory,
makes it mandatory on every public
official to give such information es re-
quired, and makes a blank appropria-
ton to cover "all necessary expenses"
Work Quickly Under Way
Governor IIolcomb had already
chosen the men who were to aid him in
the work. They consisted Of nine men,
selected each for peculiar ability that
was needed in the work and represent
ing all the important industries and
professions of the state.
Within twenty-four hours letters
bearing the signature Of the Governor
had been mailed to every First Select
man Of the 146 towns in the state.
These directed the officials 20 appoint
census takers from among their con-
stituents TO the number Of ono for
each fifty male residents, and to for
ward these names at once TO the state
Headquarters i'm Hartford. At the end
of week all but one town had sent
in the names of its quota of cnumera-
tors and to each Of the latter, number
ing more than 1000, has been sent a
commission, bearing the seal of the
state and the signature of the Gov
ernor, and a supply of census blanks.
The Mayors of the twenty-five cities
in the state responded unanimously TO
a call for meeting in Hartford. Feb
ruary 9. They were told what was ex-
pected Of them and how the City of
Hartford was proceeding with its ef-
forts.
The plan used at Hartford is the
model for the entire state. The city
is the headquarters Of many large in
surance companies and in the Offices
statistical work is carried to the high
est degree Of efficiency. From these
Offices were taken the chairman and
many of the experts and clerical work
ers used in he city headquarters.
List of Voters Added To
The chairman of the Mayors COM
mlttee obtained list of voters. Every
male adult resident in the state is re-
auired TO pay a tax of 81 a year, with
certain exceptions. To the list of vot-
ers were added the names found on the
personal tax and exemption lists. Still
other names were furnished by the
postmaster, by the city directory and
the high school principals. To make
!, still more complete, an appeal was
made for all males over sixteen years
of age to report their names and ad-
dresses TO the headquarters unless
they had good reason to believe they
/ had been obtained elsewhere.
TO check this list, canvass will be