The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-07-18
STATE PUBLICITY COMMISSION DOING WONDERS FOR
 CONNECTICUT
July 1s, 1886.
Editor. Waterbury Democrat:

Editor, waterbury Democrat:
 As you will recall, the 1885 Legis- lature provided for the appointment of the State of Connecticut Puhli- city Commission. Under authority of the Act, I named the following non-partisan Commission which serves without remuneration: Will lard B. Rogers of Hartford, chair man; Allerton P. Brooks and Charles D. Smith of New Haven; Albert E. Lavery of Fairfield; and Y. Vincent Maloney of Waterbury. Thomas 0. Perkins of Hartford is executive secretary.
 The ohjectives of the commission are to publicize our long-neglected surplus commodities, such as resi- dential facilities, accommodations for new industries and year-around recreational advantages. There is readily discernible merit in these broad plans which must inevitably result in increased employment, in- creased demand for Connecticut's agricultural and industrial products, and Q decrease of the burden on our taxpayers.
 This commission was authorized at Q time when the financial dc. mands of numerous important un- dertakings-such as the necessity of providing for our needy citizens made 1t seem inadVisable to appro. priate funds for its support. How ever, the legislature realized the i'm. portance of the objectives of the commission and gave 1t authority to devise plans whereby 1t would be financially self-sustaining ct the outset.
 With characteristic Connecticut Yankee ingenuity and energy, the commission devised and carried out 0 plan by which 1t has financed its activities to date. The commission CTS not only devoted much thought and time to their problems, but also obligated themselves financially to carry out their plan of action.
 They produced 0 series of beauti- ful pictorial stamps, Illustrating the states varied resources, which are being sold to our citizens for use on oil mall. "Come to Connecticut" is the invitation carried by the stamps to our relatives, friends and bus mess acquaintances in other states. These stamps are so outstanding that the United States Post Offlce Department granted special per- mission for their use on the face of mail matter in the upper left corner. An equally attractive map-folder, serving as 0 guide to Connecticut's numerous and varied resources and points of interest, is being distribut- cd to prospective visitors outside the state and to those of our own resi- dents who are sufficiently interested.
 The retail prices of stamps is 25 cents per sheet of 25 stamps; the maps are sold at retail for ten cents. The cost of maps which are distrib- uted outside the state free has been underwritten by leading Connecti- cut business organizations. Such profit as accrues from the sale of stamps is used to meet the office mailing and printing expenses of the commission.
 That the merit of the commits sion's undertaking is widely recog- nized is shown by the cooperation of the press and radio in publicizing its work and by the extensive sup- port of the public in the purchase of stamps and maps. Already nearly 100000 maps and 600,000 stamps have been sold.
 Nevertheless, we must not lose sight of the fact that we are in competition with many other sec- tions of the United States for the patronage of home-seekers and va- cationists. The promotional activ- ities of most of these groups are well financed by state or local ap- propriations. Unlike our own com- mission they have funds for paid advertising the value of which is unquestioned. Fortunately, the New England Council is conducting 6 widespread advertising campaign in behalf of all the New England states and we are receiving some benefits from that. Last year New England entertained 2,T00,O00 visitors who spent @425. .000. 900; an increase of 30 per cent in these figures IS ex- pected this year.
 If Connecticut is to enjoy ita fair share of this income we must give tangible support to the State Pulp licity Commission. Because or the