Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-09


boys of the Pine Tree State. He knows
that the lads who can't bear arms, can
do their bit" in the great struggle in
which the United States is now engaged
even If they can't carry arms. All dur
ing his life Governor Millikn has been
interested in boys and their work. He
is particularly anxious that Young Am
erica be given chance to show what
they can do this year.
Il wish that I might have a chance
to talk personally with all of the boys
and girls in Maine about my recent trip
to Washington said the Governor.
They would be especially interest
ed to know about the men who are
gathered there in Washington to make
plans for the mana cement of the war.
We are all anxious that our country
should do its utmost on the side Of the
Allies and 1 know that the boys and
girls in Maine are looking for some way
in which they can be of service. Many
Of them have written to me to that ef-
feet 1 was told in Washington by the
secretary of war and also by Mr.. Bal
four. who is at the head of a delega-
ton of British statesmen in this coun-
try. that one of our most important
tasks in connection with this war is to
see to it that the largest crop of food
stuffs possible is raised on the farms
of this country during this season.
1T is in connection with this great
task of ours that the boys and girls
in Maine can render their best service
to their country. Many suggestions
have been made that the schools be
closed in order that the children might
II. Co., JyN
gardens For the present, at least. we
do not think it is wise to close the
schools entirely but we do want to
make it possible for every boy or girl
who can do useful work on the farm to
be excused from school for that pur-
pose and have the work on the farm
take the place of attendance in school.
We mean to go even further than this
and use the resources of the State or
Maine to help find a chance for boys
to work on the farms Of the State in
cases where the boys themselves as in
dividuals would not be likely to find OPP
portunity.
I'VE have provided for an organiza-
ton to be known as the Junior Nolun-
teers composed of boys between the
ges of Is years and 20 years and 3
months. This organization will be di-
rected by jefferson G. Smith the State
secretary Of the Y. NJ. G. A., who will
have associated with him an advis-
ory committee. consisting Of the
State superintendent of public schools:
Mr.. Mitchell Of the University OF
| Maine: Mr.. Roberts, the commission
err Of agriculture; Mr.. Thompson. mas
ter Of the State Grange. and John e.
Bunker executive secretary Of the
State committee on public Safety
Boys between the ages of is years and
| 20 years and six months will be given
an opportunity to enlist in the Jun
Tor Reserves under conditions that
will he made plain othem in enroll
ment blanks which will be sent to the
schools throughout the state. Those
who enlist for this service will be per-
mitted to leave school for this purpose
and certificate of honorable dis
charge from the Junior Volunteers
next fall will be accepted as an equiv
alent for school attendance during
that period
Boys below the age Of IS years
will be urged where possible to find
opportunities to do work on the farm
near home where they can be under
the supervision of their parents.
while it is not possible to mobil-
ize girls for actual service on the
farm in the same way that the Junior
Volunteers will be organized it is be-
lieved that many girls can find oppor-
tunities for useful service, either do
ing homework on farms or later in
aud preserving vegetables and food
stuffs of various kinds. Local school
superintendents and school boards
will be urged to allow girls to sub
stitute service Of this kind under prop
err restrictions for attendance In
! school.
1.-THE old methods Of making war
are now known to be entirely old
| fashioned and out Of date. No longer
| is It the question Of merely an army
! at the front. Nowadays a nation that
/ makes war must go to war unitedlv as
nation in order to succeed. Those
who are able to produce tremendous
| crop of foodstuffs that the Allies ex-
| pect from this country during this
~ cAxS-