The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-07-26
BEDDING

AAASOAA' N4A4OIt IouE d SOOu SlISO SdIAA ering assembled on the Ridgewold Inn last Saturday afternoon to hear John Kendrick Bangs, author and lecturer, talk upon his observa- tions and experiences in France. Touches of humor frightened the ad- dress, which was mainly serious and at times movingly pathetic. He said that however pessimistic and deroga- tory might be some of the home com- ment regarding Americas war work in France there was no criticism of it, constructive or otherwise, but on the contrary marvel and admiration com- bined with appreciation and gratitude.
 MT. Bangs was especially emphatic in refuting the aspersions which some had tried to cast upon our soldiers, declaring that as regards both morale and morals our army was probably superior to any large army the world had ever known. This conclusion he had formed from intimate first hand one. explanation of the high character standard shown by our soldiers was the fact that before we entered the conflict they had become aware of the hideous brutalities and vile immorali- ties of the German soldiers and the feeling of revulsion caused thereby was an influence tending to good con- duct Some highly impressive pie lures were drawn by the speaker of the sufferings inflicted by the war up- on the French people and especially upon the orphaned and destitute chill dren. In Paris it was a common thing to see a soldier on leave strolling with his wife and children and leading one of the latter by the hand. He could lead only one because one of his arms was gone. You would come across an officer, a stalwart, athletic figure, his chest covered with honor decorations. A second glance would show that the man had no arms. Generally the women were in black, but the costume was of the simplest and plainest. De- spite these saddening conditions how ever there remained so much anima- ton and there prevailed such an air of cheerful fortitude that the atmos- phere was not one of depression. There was sorrow without despair and a calm resignation indicating an in vincible spirit.
 When MT. Bangs concluded Henry James Forman, who had introduced him, invited contributions from the audience for the destitute children of France. The appeal brought a most gratifying response, the sum realized from the collection amounting to $1OO.40.
 Mrs. D. S. Sanford, chairman of the Bedding Home Economics Committee, has issued an appeal in furtherance of the canning campaign now in prog ress. The response of one family is promise to put up $50 quarts. The appeal says: Our town quota is 5000 quarts. That means that the Food Administration hopes that there will be 5000 quarts of vegetables and fruit preserved in the town, for winter use. 1 The government will have of course no claim of any sort upon this food. What they hope is that in this way the output of the large canneries may be available to 8, great extent for the army and food export abroad. Sugar which must be used very sparingly on the table this summer, may be had in sufficient quantities for preserving. In comparison with our three pounds of sugar a month per person for table use we must compare the British ra- ti Ep of two pounds and the French and Italian---precarious at that---of one pound. The more canned fruit we can set free for use abroad, the more we can relieve Their need of | sweets. Both quart and pint glass l jars and large tin cans may be had at special prices by applying to the Farm Bureau or the Home Economics Com mittee.''
 | The stockholders of the Gilbert & Bennett Co., held their annual meet ing on Tuesday and reelected the old board of directors who subsequently made choice of the former officers. An annual dividend of 12 per cent. was declared. In all probability this will be the only dividend voted this year. Last year special dividends raised the total to 50 per cent and besides there was declared a stock dividend of 100 per cent, thereby in- creasing the total capitalization at | g, ,OO0, 900.
 Above Ogden's Corner in Easton the banks have been cut back and other preliminary work done towards the building of the BTidgeport-Dan- bury trunk highway. Below that point there have been re-surfacing opera tions on the excellent highway built several years ago by the water con- pany and towards Bridgeport tar and
 sand have been put on. A gang of la. borers from the Bridgeport jail are
 working a quarry recently opened near the top of Jump Hill to supply material. Of new construction work | there has been so far none despite the earlier prospects held out of rapid progress.
 The disease affecting potato vines
 which has been reported from variou.
 parts of the state, is quite generally
 apparent in this locality. It appear!
 to be a blight although not exactly O
 any of the types already familiar ant
 spraying with mixtures which former | ly proved preventive are seemingly
 not effective against it. A yellowing
 and dropping of the vines are it's out
 ward marks and it threatens a seri
 0us curtailment of the potato yield | A prominent resident of George ! town declares that the dog warder
 should get busy in correcting condi
 tions in that village occasioned b.
 the roaming at large of a dozen O,
 more apparently ownerless cur
 which are collarless and tagless ani
 therefore evidently unregistered I is this class of dogs which form no
 only a nuisance but also a seriou
 menance in a community. They ar,
 lawless members of dog society be
 cause unlicensed and also because un
 restrained in violation of the specia
 mandate of the state authorities
 Mrs. A. c. Barnett, treasurer of tn, | IaooJ (Nroee- +ool- ,