Connecticut western news., 1917-02-22
TAKE WAR CENSUS
 IN CONNECTICUT
Preparedness Move Closely Fol- lows Break With Germany.
TO CANVASS EVERY TOWN
Enrolment of Man Power and Military Resources Suggested by Governor HoIcomb-Pan Cordially Received. Volunteers Doing the Work.

The state of Connecticut has begun making complete census of the men and resources within Its borders so as to be ready to respond promptly in time of war.
 This is the greatest practical pre- paredness measure yet adopted by any state ill the Union. The decision to lake this census was made by the Leg islature immediately after the break with Germany, when Governor Mar GUS H. Holcomb, appearing before a joint session, pointed out the need of such an enumeration. After Governor Holcomb had read his special message, both Houses unanimously passed an - act which calls upon the governor to obtain complete information as to the men and resources of the state.
 A complete organization for handling the details of the census was perfect ed within a few hours, and headquar- ters opened in Hartford. Every one of the 15S towns of the state will take its own census. In the cities the may ors will be appointed to handle the details, and census-takers, who are volunteers, doing the work because of their willingness to help in a great measure of this kind, will assist in the canvass.
 It Is confidently expected by those in charge of the census that within four weeks the complete information will be filed and tabulated in the State Hea0Ouarfarc in Ha rtford
 Questions to Be Asked.
 During the canvass census-takers will approach every man In the state and ask him a series of questions which has been carefully prepared by the state headquarters after consulta- tfon with the United States war de- partment. The questions to be asked will include the following:
 l. What Is your present trade, occupa- ton or profession?
 2 Have you experience in any other trade, occupation or profession?
 g. What is your age? Height? Weight? 4. Are you married? Single? or Wid- over?
 5. How many persons are dependent on you for support?
 6. Are you a citizen of the United States? z. If not citizen of the United States, have you taken out your first papers?
 8. If not a citizen of the United States, what is your nationality?
 3. Have you ever done any military or naval service in this or any other coun- try? Where? How long? What branch? Rank?
 1o Have you any serious physical disa- bility? If so, name 1t.
 H. Can you do any of the following: Ride horse? Handle a team? Drive an automobile? Ride a motorcycle? Under stand telegraphy? Operate a wireless? Any experience with steam engine? Any experience with electrical machinery? Handle boat power or sail? Any expe- rience in simple coastwise navigation2 Any experience with high speed marine gasoline engines? Are you a good swim mer?
 Enrolment Not an Enlistment.
 Men ill all walks of life have entered enthusiastically into this preparedness proposition. The clergymen in the churches have urged their congrega- tion to answer the questions asked promptly and freely. Heads of large manufacturing concerns have co-operat- ed with the local committees. In many cases the census has been taken on the unit system, by which the workers In large plants and offices will first be questioned before the house-to-house canvass has been undertaken, and only those omitted in taking the census in large units will be canvaSSed person. ally at their homes.
 It has been pointed out in many cases and by many persons that 1t is a patriotic duty to answer promptly the questions which are being asked Hva questions on the blank in no way con- stitutes an enlistment or promise to enlist. It merely puts at the disposal of the state complete information as to every individual living within its borders so that, in time of need, those best fitted for certain tasks may be given an opportunity to perform the work which they can do best. The census was instituted because modern warfare demands the mobilization not only of the relatively small number of men required for arms, but of the whole nation for munitions, for the medical services, for the food supplies, for the transport and other activities, and the first step for such mobilization is to find out exactly what there is to be mobiliZed
 The feature of the work first at- tempted is that of finding out inst what the man power of the state is The census of the material resources will come later.
 No Politics In Census.
 There is absolutely no politics in the military census. Concerning this fea- ture, Governor HOlcomb has said: ''I am glad that there is this one thing which we can unite upon, rising above the question of whether we are demo- crats, republicans or socialists. or to what church we belong, meeting on common plane of patriotism so that whether we have war or not. and I