New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-01-03
GOV. TEMPLETON'S
INAUGURAL Speech
sconunuea From Third Passl

TEN pays thF thst VI wv HAs1Nas =
uses. especially when the benefits Of
such a free use would inuFe IN large
measure 20 the inhabitants ef other
states. am Informed that modern
railroad gasoline trucks can he USED
aayantagesusiy and probably on rail-
road tracks, II II is possible for the
steam roads 20 maintain prompt ana
sneedy express service, they ought 10
be given every opportunity AMI en-
eouragsment "a render such service
l would recommend that the public
utilities commission he instructed 10
Investigate this subject and 10 confer
with the railroad management as 70
the praetieahiliiy Of such service, II
n reasonable diversion ef this traffle
Ia the railroad companies Is possible,
n would tend Ia simplify some n the
prahems Of the highway department
and possibly give more efficient serV'
lee 70 the public,
I believe further legislation Fegulat-
ing not only tonnage OF motor trucks
hut also the dimensions OF their tom
neaux or bodies Is required In the IN
terest OF public safety as we'll as the
proper maintenance Of our trunk line
highways.
Agriculture,
While Connecticut il largely a
manufacturing state, yet its agrieul-
tural interests. actual and potential,
are OF the highest importance and are
essential TO the well.being and COM
fort OF the whole community. Prob
ably eight per cent Of the money
spent by our people for farm prodults
goes outside OF the state. | believe
that this condition ought not 10 exist,
IL is also true that the farmer in gen
eral, In proportion 10 capital invest
ed and labor performed, receives
smaller return than any other class
in the community.
The farmer labors under many
handicaps which are not common TO
the business man OF the city: First.
his comparative isolation and the
difficulty OF maintaining suitable re-
llg!ous, scholastic and social organi-
zation with comparatively few 10 sup
port il by taxes or voluntary gifts:
second, the difficulty OF securing farm
labor in competition with the factory
employer; third, lack OF proper mar
keting facilities fourth, the lack of
essential credit accommodations. The
federal government is now attempt
ing to aid the farmers OF the coun-
try in the solution of the two last
named problems, and can perhaps
render more effective aid than the
state. However. the constant decrease
~ a.
ton of our rural communities. the
abandoned farms, the shrinkage In
property values. and. above all, the
destruction of these finest schools OF
good citizenship, although incidental
to our great industrial development,
seems to me unspeakably sad. l be-
lieve that the splendid traditions of
the town life of Connecticut are from
every standpoint worth preserving.
And in the event of war or other
general calamity, this problem OF
agriculture would be vital to every
man, woman and child in the state.
While Connecticut does not enjoy
the natural resources of mines. for
ests and rich alluvial lands possessed
by some of the states, still our state
presents many attractions not only TO
the temporary visitor but to the per-
manent residents. We have the va
riety of natural scenery afforded by
sea-shore, mountain, lake and stream.
There are abundant reasonably priced
farm lands worthy of more intensive
cultivation. Our schools, primary and
secondary, are excellent. Our insti-
tutions of higher learning are second
to none. In many places opportuni-
ties for establishing industrial enter
prises are unsurpassed. Our govern
ment, state and local, is safe and eff
cient and our public affairs honestly
managed. Connecticut is comfort
ably accessible to all of the great
cities of the East. Some sections of
the state have already profited enor-
mousy by the accession Of city busl-
ness men who have acquired resi-
dences in the country districts and
millions of dollars have thereby been
added to the grand list of the towns
SO favored.
Other states. including Maine, New
Hampshire and Vermont, less favored
In many ways than Connecticut, have
for some years made liberal appro-
priations for the purpose of attract
ing outside people and have met with
marked success. Connecticut could
field, accomplish much for the inter-
est of all sections of the state.
/ recommend the enactment of leg
islation providing for the appoint
ment by the governor of commits
sion to make a thorough and COM
prehensive study of this matter with
an especial view to the needs of the
smaller communities. Such an or
ganization would serve great public
need and material gathered from
time to time would be of service to
the state and to the General Assem-
bly,. 1t might properly include in
its activities the accumulation and
dispensing of information regarding
all the natural resources and ad-
vantages of the state. I warmly
commend this subject to your
thoughtful attention.
Child Welfare Work (Tnsane).
The initial legislation designed to
promote child welfare enacted in
1921 has already proved its value, but
It was only a beginning. Possibly
there is no legislative subject which
is more heavily freighted with the
good wishes of the thoughtful, disin-
terested men and women Of Con-
necticut.
The helping hand of the state has
been extended with reference to va
-.z,,z forp,r Of dependency neglect.
delinquency and handicap among