Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-01-16
THE BURLINGTON FREE PRESS AND TIMES: THURSDAY. JANUARY 1e, 1919.

Volunteer Militia, should be kept intact
until Congress determines the military
policy Of the country. The officers and
men have been attentive to the work,
have served without pay, ind, while luck
lily they have not been called into active
service, were fully armed, clothed, equip
ped and thoroughly drilled, and IL needed
would have given a good account of them
selves. From Colonel Johnson down,
many of the officers and men had long
been in the National Guard. some had
seen service in the Spanlsh-American
war and a few in the regular army. For
a time certain factories, plants and public
utilities were under guard at State ex-
ponse. These guards were withdrawn at
600 p. m, Saturday, June 30, 1917. The
State has u valid claim against the ma
tional government for approximately
Sl50,0O for money expended in putting
the First Vermont Infantry upon a war
footing and I am advised by those in
authority that this claim will be hon
ored In due time. The question of whe-
Their State pay shall be granted to all
who entered the service will come before
| you, and the treasurer will advise you
| how this matter is being handled in other
States and what the probable expense
will be. This is a matter Of State policy
for you to determine. About 5000 men
have entered the service from Vermont,
$500 have been paid the State pay in full
and 1890 are now on the roll. The bal
ance of the 1900 who have not yet APP
piled arc mostly selective service men
to whom the present law does not apply.
Volunteer nurses should be recognized
as well as enlisted men. The total amount
expended for State pay to December
81, 1918. was s512. 1O3. 81. The balance of the
war appropriation unexpcnded on that
date was $19i, S46.7s. Sixty-one men from
Vermont ave been cited for their con-
duct or for bravery.
I have anpeanded to this message a
table showing the total enrolment from
Vermont and the casualty list as it stood
on December 81, 1918. ] recommend that
a proper certificate be given to each SOL
der. sailor. nurse and civilian employee
from Vermont, showing fully the war
service performed. 1t is needless for
me to recount the different war endeav-
ors. each of which Vermont has made a
remarkable success.
Vermont was the first State to or
ganize the pupils of her public schools
for home garden work. This ~orEaniza-
ton was known as the Green Noun
tain Guard. The second year it be-
came a branch of the United States
DOyo hIhS IA uloN CIIchl
is now on foot to provide farms for
returning soldiers. In Vermont, this
matter is in charge of a committee con-
sisting of Ebert 8. Brigham, Commits
sioner of Agriculture, and Frederick
H.. Bfckford, State farm labor agent.
Last week ! named as delegates to a
conference called by the secretary OF
the interior at Springfield, Mass, will
5 lis N. Cady of Middlebury. Orlando l.
l Martin of Plainfeld, Ernest w. Dunk
) lee OF Vernon and Edison N. Connal OF
7 Newport town, the last two of whom
l are members of the present House.
' James Hartness of Springfield retir.
e ed from the craftsmanship of the Yer.
5 mont of Public Safety tc
e become federal food administrator fol
Vermont. Later he was sent overseas
as the member of the aircraft com.
t mission and was succeeded as food ad
ministrator by Frank II. Brooks of st
Johnsbury.
e In the early part of the war. Hugh
= j. M. Jones of Montpelier was appoint
e ed federal fuel administrator. He wa.
assisted by Mason S. Stone. who wa,
c succeeded later by Marshall ]. Woo
8 of Montpelier.
Rooms were provided in the Stat,
t House for the district board and for tn,
y ''>A Nv IIoIl ltl oIEdHI
cation until just prior to the conven
Ing of the Legislature. When MI
e Brooks took charge of the food ad
e ministration, he established his ofic
n In the State House and just recent,
e moved 1t to st. Johnsbury.
u The commissioner of industries wa
early selected by the federal govern
At ment to look after labor matters Il
IS Vermont. To this work he has bee
obliged to give considerable time.
e SECRETARY OF CIVIL AND MILL
d TARY AFFAIRS
| recommend that the secretary o
civil and military affairs be given ex
y ira compensation for his services dur
ing the past two years, because of tn
,e enormous increase in his work oc
casioned by the war and the addition
's al duties imposed upon him as secre
id tary of the board of control. The com
l. pansation for this office was fixed b
TO the Legislature of 1915 and has re
ID manned the same up to the presen
n time.
H. IN CONCLUSION
] wish to express to all the Stat
officers my appreciation of the cordia
and unhesitating support they hav
given me during my term of offic,
y. Whenever they have been called upo
g to perform any service in connectio
with war work in addition to theI
~ regular duties they have most willing
" ly given of their time and without ey
penSe to the State.
" ] look forward to the incoming ad
w. ministratlon of Governor Percival W
as one of the most progres
~ stve and beneficial yet given Vernon
'a During these times of reimbursement tn
ai state will have the leadership OF
~ prudent and successful business man
r.