Norwich bulletin., 1917-06-21
DiscouRAeEs SALE AND
 USE OF FIREWORKS.
Defense Council Strongly Urges Public
 Patriotic Demonstrations.


 Every community in Connecticut
 will celebrate July 4th this year as a day or conservation to national ideals ana a day of dedication to national service, if the Connecticut state coun- ell of defense succeeds in plans which 1t has undertaken through its commit tee on publicity. The defense council
 has decided that Independence day means more to the American this year than 1t usually does, and has voted to request officials in every town to con- slider this special significance and ar range for the observance of the day in such manner that all the impressive ness Of American tradition will be brought home to Connecticut citizens on this occasion
 It is not the purpose of the state de- fense council to interfere in any way with plans for the observance of Ihde- pendence day which many communities already have developed. Its purpose IS to induce communities in which no plans have been made for Fourth of July celebration to begin preparations day. Some form of Celebration is ex- pected in every community by Gov Gil.
 The council of defense publicity com rnlttee is now engaged in preparing a -lst or persons in the various com munltles to whom it may appeal for assistance in putting through it's In dependence day celebration plans. Fea- lures which 1t will recommend for the programs include flag raisings, music, both vocal and instrumental, and speaklng. The committee recommends 8 that each town secure outside speakers as far as possible, and offers the CO operation of itn speakers bureau in arranging for these patriotic address es It will ask the various communi- ties to consider the advisab biIity of special recognition on Independence uay tnis year for those men between the ages of 21 and 31 who registered on June 5th under the selective service law, both at the church service on sunday, July 1st. and at the patriotic gatherings on Wednesday, July 4th.
 Recognizing the position in which America. finds herself on this Fourth of July, the defense councils commit tee is pointing out the special religious significance of the occasion. The vari- ous communities will be asked. in planning their programs for the day, to consider that the independence cele- brated on July Fourth was fought for by past generations of Americans and that the nation has now come to an nour when Its citizens must fight to maintain that independence so dearly bought. Every communitV is to be urged to make the celebration of Inde- pendence day, 1917, a day of consecra- ton to national ideals, a day of recog- milton of leadership from above and day of preparation for service.
 The council of defense has taken the position that the sale and use of ire works this year should be discouraged Tn all communities in the state In place of the fireworks, which in the past have been costly in life. limb and money, public patriotic demonstrations are strongly urged.
 It is also probable that plans will be perfected within a day or two for vigorous recruiting campaign for Con necticut National guard, and that re- cruitlng on Independence day may form one of the principal features of this occa sion.