Putnam patriot., 1917-05-04
VOTES DOWN
 APPROPRIATION
Special Town Meeting Refuses to Appro.
 priale S5oo for Garden Supervisor
Several Speak For but None Against Motion. Silent Contingent Votes No

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 afternoon Go act on appropriating the sum of S500 for the salary of a super visor of gardens tor the town, voted 1 against the plsn over two to one. Notwithstanding all who spoke on the motion spoke in favor Of it, not
 withstsnding it was put before the meeting as a patriotic duty, notwith standing that il wss pointed out that the food supply condition in this coun- try and abroad Is critical, and not
 withstanding the plan is being adopt ciuding some in Windham county, Putnam went on record as being against the plan advocated by food supply committees Of the nation and state ss far ss personally supervised gardens by . paid supervisor is con- cerned. Not an argument was made against the motion when . citizen stated that he would like 10 hear the | negative side Of the question, but those who sst silent, when this request was put by the chairman, Dr.Omer. La Rue, voted against the motion as they had apparently previously made up their mind to do.
 Within few minutes after the meet ing adjourned $l00 had been pledged by popular subscription for the pur- pose which the meeting rejected. Lawyer Charles l.. Torrey made the first offer 10 contribute $l0 and this
 was quickly followed by other offers. When C. L. Torrey stated that he would like to hear where the plan ori. ginated and what Its purpose was Chester k. Child look the floor. He said that the movement was the out come of meeting of fifteen prominent citizens held the previous Saturday night when A. J. Brundage Of Storrs explained what was being done to stimulate gardening.
 MT. Chilu said that 1t is well known that products are st q very low ebb, 20 to 50 percent below normal. All know that this country's duty in the present crisis is to produce what we can for ourselves and for those with whom we have allied ourselves. What each one raises he will not have 10 buy. The request for an appropriation is an unusual one but the times are un- usual and will probably so continue for smother year. The governor called 2 meeting of high school principles 10 see what the boys would do. There have been i20 applications for gardens in Putnam. The agricultural college has agreed to graduate students if needed for the work. The salary is Sl0o per month. Plain field and Wind ham have already appropriated $500 for similar work. A supervisor has been here week under guarantee of salary for that time. Ten acres of land have already been secured. If properly cared for il would pay the whole expense. He was heartily Tn favor of the motion.
 Mir Brundsge was ssked to address the meeting. He said he had been in ciose touch with the state food com mission. The normal food supply in the country was enough for eighteen months. Now there is but enough for four months. Whether or not the present contest is successful depends a gfent deal on furnishing food to our selves and our .sllies. The people of Europe will be starving if we don't do foot of taSd to alleviate that condition. Our duty is no more matter Of fight than of food If man has land and won't donate il 10 this cause we can question his patriotism.
 The garden supervisor would plan boys and girls clubs. Give them in stfuetion as to how to raise a garden Me have got 10 have maximum pro duction. Supervisor would meet with them, hold demonstrations, make the work pleasant and instructive through h bOH iSukc. TNcCOtus ~Ouiu oc hcpt and the conserving Of the products through canning taught. He would work with the older people if they cared 10 have him and would make individual visits ss far ss possible. The agricultural college is back of the movement and would give such assist ance as possible. The speaker told of similar plans being carried out with success in other cities and towns in the state.
 Charles L. Torrey said he had come prepared to vote against the motion but after hearing the explanation of what the movement meant had chang ed his mind and would vote for it. If 2o percent stick to the gardens It would be paying investment.
 H. W. Files predicted that if the money is voted this year il will be- come a permanent fixture for future years on account of the good Ina, will result.
 Whitman Danielson, C. J. Harri. man, Alexander Gilman, G. Harold Gilpatrie were others who spoke in favor.
 When Mir. Gilpatric said he would like to hear from those opposed there WAS no reply.
 When the vote was taken by aye and "a, q, xaS 3ooNsat a.a tha h all