Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-24
l3 GOVERNORS
CONFER; FAVOR
"PREPAREDNESS''
Fourteen Former State Ex-
ecutives Join Them in
Annual Gathering
DESIRE UNIFORM LAWS
Declare in Interviews They Will
Support President in Aim
). for Larger Forces

y BOSTON, Aug. a. Governor Walsh
standing in the senate rostrum Of the
historic state House. today extended the
glad hand OF welcome from Massachus-
.etts to the Governors Conference. From
sthe same rostrum Mayor Curicy delivered
the officiai welcome OF Boston.
with these formalities. Boston and
Massachusetts became the scene OF the
greatest asscmblage Of Governors and
former Governors in the history OF the
United States.
Thirteen Governors were seated In
the Senate Chamber An additional II
ex-Govcrnors increased the total Of dis
tinguishcd visitors to "a. -Four of them
represent States from which the Chief
Executives were unable to come.
The purpose Of the conference is to pro-
wide free discussion OF subjects which
should be made uniform through state
LEGISLATION.
Governor Walsh in his address Of well
come said:
"Is Il not a notable testimony 10 the
inestimable value Of the free institutions
OF ours and an especial cause of grati-
tude TO Almighty God. that while half
the world is in the. throes OF mad and
horrible convulsion which bids fair to
set back the march Of European civiliza-
ttion 100 years. we, the chosen representa-
tives OF peaceful and happy millions.
1should be gathered here to study the
sgreat questions Of peace. 10 plan for the
stll further Improvement of the Indus
trial and social conditions OF our day and
10 Increase the prosperity and happiness
OF the most prosperous and happy people
under the sum-
PEDANTS GATHER, ALSO.
Professor Albert Bushnell Hart of
Harvard University, replied on behalf of
the conference Of universities and public
service. which met in Joint session today
with the Governors.
Many Governors seen before the open
ing session OF the Conference agreed that
Irrational preparedness" was the subject
OF utmost Importance to the Conference.
Here are what the executives had to say
on the subject;
Governor Richard I. Manning OF South
Carolina:
II must admit that Secretary OF War
Garrlson's figures Of 100000 for the army
struck me as a little high; but ] am ready
TO support President Wilson as far as he
wishes to go. and have no doubt what
ever that the country will stand behind
him soldly. As for the navy. undoubted-
sly much larger appropriations are needed.
F. The sentiment In the United States for
peace has not changed. however"
Governor Samuel v. Stewart. of Mon
tana;
"As an inland state, Montana natural
ly has not taken as much interest in for
tihcations and a navy as the coast States;
but public sentiment has been aroused by
the events OF the last year. ] am not
sure we need an extra session of Con-
gress but II President Wilson issues a
call for an extra session, he will have
the support OF the people. Personally
! am not so strong for an army Of 100000
strong. as | am for increasing the mill
tia"
DISREGARD PARTY.
"The nation ought to have trained re-
serve force OF 100000 men, said Gov
ernor Spry OF Utah Regardless of
party generous appropriations should be
voted to put the nation In a state OF de-
fense. The last year has taught us much
and we should be ready to take home
the lesson
Ex-Governor Elias NJ. Ammons. of Col
orado. said:
while we do not want a large stand
ing army, We ought to have a larger
trained force to call out in time of dan
ger More money should be spent on the
militia and the citizen soldiery should be
Increased. As for the navy, / have a
hunch that the great lesson OF the war
is the need for more submarines. What
ever President Wilson asks for, no mat
ter how many men for the army and no
. matter how many ships, should be pro-
vided. He is the man on the job, and
the people trust him."
+ Governor Arthur Capper, Of Kansas,
declared that his State is opposed to
any war policy leading 10 militarism, but
5 is favorable TO preparedness. when car
ried to a reasonable extent.