Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1919-01-09

posed of Senator Klett and Repre-
seEtatives HuXford and Cfeary to no.
tify the governor that the joint
convention was in session. Soon
thereafter Governor Holcomb accom-
panied by his staff and the justices of
the supreme court came into the
house. The oath of Office was admin
istered by Chief Justice Prentice, aft
er which the governor read his mes
sage 20 the Seneral assembly.
GOVERNOR HoLcoMB's
INAUGURAL MESSAGE
Mr. President and Gentlemen of the |
General Assembly,
The 1917 General Assembly prior |
to and. in anticipation of our becom- |
Ing party to the war passed three
preparatory Acts
The War Census
The first one passed February 20th, |
1917, directed a census to be forthwith |
taken of the resources of the state i'm |
men and materials available for use in |
the event of war, the information !
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
within two months thereafter without
cost to the State other than for he
necessary clerical assistance to tab |
ulate, and the mechanical devices re- |
quired to make available, the informa-
tions contained in the questiornaires
used in taking the census and for The
rental of rooms required for the work.
1t has been in frequent use by State
and Federal officials, also by our al
lies in connection with the enlistment
Of their subjects residing here Ii is
conceded to be the most complete
census for war purposes taken in any
state. Public spirited citizens in every
| town assisted in it's taking without
compensation. The total cost to the
state of taking this census and of a
census of our transportation facilities
and other resources was less than
$4,000
The Home Guard.
I The second act. known as the Mill
tary Emergency Act, was passed
March 9Th. 1917, pursuant to which the
governor appointed Judge Lucien F.
/ Burpee, Benedict NJ Holden. and J.
! Moses Ives, a board to perfect and
maintain Home Guard for duty
| within the State. This force was en-
! listed, uniformed and equipped within
! three months thereafter It's personnel
/ has never been exceIled. and for the
| past eighteen months it has been invaI-
| able to the State. Not dollars worth
! of property has been destroyed nor has
/ a single disturbance of the public
| peace occurred which was due t6 CON
dit;ons caused by the war. On No
Vember 1st, 1918. there were 1929
members in the active and 2,342 in the
reserve force. 1t created a feeling of
! security throughout the State. stip
| lated loyalty and patriotism, and from
its members has furnished 2.45 men
| to the Fo5n"r7 ro-.o- -r1f-c q nor
| centage of whom received commissions
/ LLcfe'h hecauot .--..I uaIning q the
| Home Guard. The entire net cost of
our Home Guard up to November 1st,
| 1918, was $50S,617.54. An itemizad
/ voucher and receipt for every item of
expenditure is on file in the office Of
the State Comptroller. The value of
| 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 Of
hcerS who are under sufficient bonds
estimated upon existing market prices
and values made by United States ord
nance officers, and making ample de-
auctions for damage and depreciation
by wear and use is S466. .S223o De-
Quoting this from the net cost above
given reduces the net cost to the
state TO less than $4,000, a very in
SlSnlncant premium TO pay for the in
surance against loss of property and
disturbance of tho public 7eaca -pJ7icI,
this force Of citizen soldiers has given.
Inc foregoing figures do not incIude
the cost of uniforms being delivered
since the first of last November.
In considering the cost to the State
| rot
years last past it should be noted that
the amounts appropriated by the last
General Assembly for the support of
the National Guard and Military De
partment aggregated $516,194 of which
only $l01,247.77 had been expended
leaving an unexpended balance OF
$414,49423
,, The period of enlistment in the
, home Guard 1s two years, but the ne
cesslty Tor such a force will not cease
when peace is declared. II will he
needed until an equally efficient force
for State protection is created to s1c-
=, ceed them. L recommend that a 1ih-
eral and sufficient provision be made
for the maintenance of our Home
, Guard.
= The third Of said preparatory Acts
was passed March 18th 1917 haino
Chapter a of the Public Acts of 1911
, giving extra powers to the governor tc
' meet emergencies.
/ Committee on Food Supply
. Pursuant thereto the governor Apri
10 appointed a Connecticut Commit
= tee of Food Supply, with a view to in
. Creasing and conserving the agricuIt
0 ural resources of the State. Subse.
+ : quently. Robert ScovilIe. one of its
= members, was appointed Federal Food
2 Administrator for Connecticut and up-
: on the creation Of the Council of De
fense this committee became part o.
: its organization. By reason of the ac.
= tivities TO this committee and with The
n loyal co operation OF the agricuItur
e alists of the State there has been ar
= encouraging increase in the food pro.
Y ducts of the State.
' The State Council of Defense.
When the United States became E
20 party to the war it became evident tha
e if confusion, friction, duplication, de