Putnam patriot., 1917-07-27
PUTNAM HOME
 GUARD FUND
Citizens Are NOt RallyiDg 10 Financial
 Aid of Company
With National Guard Away Home Guards Are Protectors of Our Business
 Institutions and Homes
People Should Be Alive to the Real Need
 of Such Protection

or Sucn Protection
 l Last week the PATRIOT voluntarily started fund to financially aid the l Putnam Home Guard. There was and is no intention to personally solicit anyone for contributions. We believed and still do believe that if the people in this corner of Windham county can be made to realize what the Home Guard stands for and what it's purpose is they will volunteer individually to help swell this fund.
 What the Home Guard Is
 The Home Guard is military orga- nizatlon for service in the state. It is composed of citizen soldiers equipped and drilled to be ready in case of need to take the place of the NationalGuare if trouble arises within state borders. II is com posed of men for one reason or another unG qualified for active ser vice outside the state. Membership in the guard does not release one from military duty in other branches of the service unless they are found to be ex- empt for other reasons than member ship in the guard.
 To Protect 0nr Industries and Homes
 The guard was organized at the call Of the governor It was early known that the National Guard would be cal led into service outside of the state. This leAyes the state without pfotee- tion. It was therefore decided that trained men should be at the call of the governor in case of trouble al home. With this state the center of the coun- try's muEitions' manufactories the possible if not probable necessity for q call to protection duty Is at once ap- parent.
 Factories Should Be Interested
 Somewhere in Eastern Nindham county" goods for the government are being manufactured. If trouble is en- gendered through any organization in our mills there will be sn immediate call for protecting guards. Such company as the Home Guard will be immediately called for this duty. hat would the manufacturers think if they requested protection and the answer came back that there is no preparation for such protection: We understand that in some parts of the state there are already rumors of trouble. The manu- lecturers of this section should be only too glad to contribute from S25 to Sl00 for such protection. If the occasion should arise thousands of dollars might easily be saved to them by the protect ing arm of the Hcme Guard.
 arrangements Made to Call Out the Guard
 Already arrangements have been made as a precautionary measure for assem- bling the guard. This has been done all over the state at the request of headquarters. Captain McGarry, Wednesday, arranged to have the whistle on the Hammond, Knowlton mill blow and the fire alarm rung. The signal for the guard to assemble will be four blasts of the whistle and four strokes of the bell, rung and blown three consecutive times.
 Why Fund is Needed
 | The guard was uniformed and arm l ed by the state. As we understand 1t that is as liar as the state goes finan- cially. It is left to patriotic cities, towns or individuals of cities and towns to see that the financial end is taken care ot There are many needs l for money. Not great amounts how ever. One instance of this need IS shoes. Shoes were not furnished the men. Some now wear black shoes, some high shoes, some tan shoes, some "speaks" and some low shoes. Many are not provided with proper footwear for outdoor work. A pair of regulation ] army shoes, if bought singly, cost so. l There are many members of the guard who can net well afford to spend s6 for shoes. There are men with families. There are men working in the mills. There are men with dependents. With  the present prevailing high prices so for pair of shoes is out of the ques- tion. If the company is outfitted col actively the shoes can be bought cheaper. There is no place to keep the company flag. It has to stand In corner of the hall unprotected. There are no lockers or places for guns. There is no money to furnish these things and from time 10 time other small ne cessary expenses will arise.
 Why They Are Worthy of Assistance
 The Home Guard numbers between 50 and 70 men. In all probability they do not enjoy giving their time submitting to discipline, and going through tedious drills any more than we who have not joined. They realized when they joined that they put them selves in a position where they migh' be called upon to do various and none l ,.. ,,4aaranf duties in the state sl0ui0