The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-01-08

The 1917 General Assembly prior ing q party to the war passed three preparatory Acts,
 The War Census.
 The first one passed February goth, 1917 directed a census to be forth with taken of the resources of the state in men and materials available for use in the event of war, the in formation thereby secured to be placed at the service of both the State and Federal governments A census of all male residents eighteen years of age and upwards was taken and completed within two months thereafter without cost 10 the State other than for the necessary clerical assistance to tabulate, and the me chanical devices required to make available, the information contained in the questionnaires used in taking the census and for the rental of rooms required for the work. Il has been in frequent use by State and Federal officials, also by our aI- lies in connection with the enlist
 
 ] is conceded to be the most com plete census for war purposes taken in any state. Public spirited citizens in every town assisted in its taking without compensation. The total cost to the State of taking this census and of q census of our transportation facilities and other re- sources was less than $50,0O0.
 Tine Home Guard.
 The second Act, known as the Milf tary Emergency Act, was passed March 9th, 1917, pursuant to which the governor appointed Judge Lucien r. Burpee, Benedict N. Holden, and J. Moss Ives, board to perfect and maintain a Home Guard for duty within the State This force was enlisted, uniformed and equipped within three months thereafter. Its personnel has never been eXcelled, and for the past eighteen months It has been invaluable to the State Not dollars worth of property has been destroyed nor has a single disturb ance of the public peace occurred which was due to conditions caused by the war. On November 1st, 1918. there were 9,923 members in the ac- tive and 3,342 in the reserve force. II created a feeling of security throughout the State, stimulated loy- ally and patriotism, and from its members has furnished 2,645 men to the Federal forces, quite a percentage of whom received commissions there in because of their training in the Home Guard. The entire net cost Of our Home Guard up to November 1st 1918, was $508, 8,617.54. An itemiZed voucher and receipt for every item of expenditure Is on file in the office of the State Comptroller. The value of the State property pertaining to the Home Guard now in control of the Military Emergency Board, either in the State Arsenal or issued to Home Guard officers who areu nder suff- cient bonds, estimated upon existing Iharket prices and values made by united States ordnance officers. and making ample deductions for damage and depreciation by wear and use i, $466,832.32. Deductiug this from the net cost above given reduces the net cost to the State to less than S4Z'0OO, very insignificant premium to pay for the insurance against los. of property and disturbance of the public peace which this force of citf. Zen soldiers has given. The forego. ing figures do not include the cost ot uniforms being delivered since tn, first of last November.
 In considering the cost to the Stat, of military protection during the two years last past it should be noted tha the amounts appropriated by the las General Assembly for the support O. the National Guard and Military De partment aggregated $516,194, O which only $1O1, ,247.77 has been ex pended, leaving an unexpected bal ance of $414,94623.
 The period of enlistment in tht Home Guards is two years, but tn, necessity for such a force will no cease when peace Is declared. It vii be needed until an equally efficien force for State protection is created to succeed them. I recommend tha liberal and sufficient provision b. made for the maintenance of ou Home Guard.
 The third of said preparatory Act was passed March Eth, 1917, beins Chapter A of the Public Acts O. l9l7, giving extra powers to the gov ernor to meet emergencies.
 Committee On Food Supply.
 Pursuant thereto the governor or April 10 appointed a Connection Committee of Food Supply, with z view of increasing and conserving the agricultural resources of the State Subsequently,, Robert Scoville, one O.