The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-05-29
COAL PROBLEM IS
SERIOUS, BABCOCK
TELLS COUNCIL
Requires 10000 Cars to Han
die States Winter Sup
ply of Fuel
NOT AVAILABLE
FOR COMING YEAR
Organization of County
Home Guard Units Sug-
gestcd Today

Bismarck, N. D., May 29-Prepared-
ness for defense, for comfort, for food
production, and for the marketing of
crops, were the principal features
given consideration by the North Da-
kota council of defense, in session here
today.
That North Dakota will require 40,-
600 cars to carry it's coal supply for
next winter, and that neither the coal
nor the cars will then be available, was
the startling declaration Of e. J. Bab-
cock, dean of the school of mines, Uni
Versity of North Dakota, and mem
ber of the federal defense council.
Dorr Carroll, Minot, suggested that
the sher1n or each county be authoriz-
ed to organize and arms units of the
home guard.
At the opening meeting yesterday
afternoon plans were made for North
Dakota's part in the program of ma
tional defense and last night commit
tees worked late on their branch of the
work
About twenty-five men were present
at the meeting and v. H. Stickney
of Dickinson, chairman of the defense
council presided. Prepare for the
worst" advised Governor Frazier in
outlining the work of the committee in
a short address.
This situation is very serious" ," said
the governor and we must be prepared
for anything that may come. l am
ready to do all can"
Frazier Urges Corporation.
He urged that the state organization
cooperate with the organizations and
the other state organizations as much
as possible so that there may be no
conflict in the work. He stated that
from all parts of the state reports are
being received telling of the willing
- ss<1fo nI.,I.1 a
viduals to aid in any way possible. He
stated the commercial club of Fargo
had advised him that 1t would aid
In every way possible in connection
with farm labor.
That the securing of farm labor and
large crop production are the princi- |
pal matters to be taken up in this state |
was evident from the call to order at
the first meeting yesterday. North Da-.l
kota has been called upon to furnish
the biggest crop possible, but it was
stated at the meeting that q labor
shortage loomed high. Several mem |
bers of the commission brought to the |
attention of the commission that the |
government may draft men from North |
Dakota, thus taking experienced farm
hands from the state, also that North |
Dakota youths experienced in farm
work are being recruited for the army
and navy.
Labor 10 Big Problem.
It was suggested that a delegation /
be appointed to go to Washington and
take the matter up with federal au-
thorities, so that sufficient experienced
farm help can be secured, but no ac-
ton was taken.
Robert j. Leith, federal officer who
is to assist the state in securing farm
labor, attended the meeting.
The financing of the commission also
appears to be a difficult problem. Ex-
penses for secretary, for stationery,
mailing, ETC., will be necessary, but as
the legislature is not in session there
are no funds available. 1t is planned
to open a permanent Office at the state
capitol and the governor may be called
upon to use his emergency fund. f.
o. HeIIstron of Bismarck was named
of the defense council
The committees appointed by the
council follow:
chairman, Fargo; T. J. Nelson, Hoople;
R. j. J. Montgomery, Tappen; o. III. OPP
and Mott. .,
Coal and Mining-E. 7. Babcock, A
chairman, Grand Forks; w. j. Mozley,
VIM. b. Owens, Wiliiston;
DR.. A. J. MCDANIEL, Minot; p. A. Bow
nan, Kuhn.
nan, Minot; ]. H. Wishek, Ashley;
Louis Noltimier, Valley City; NJ. r.
Murphy. Grand Forks; VIM. @. Owens,
Pubiicity-w. r. Kellogg, chairman,
DR.. John M. Gillette, Grand
Forks; Bishop J. Poyntz Tyler, Fargo
Rev. J. 9. Moore, Bismarck; w. M.
smart, Minot
Financial-Dr. ". H. stickney, Dick {
nson; r. o. Hellstrom, Bismarck: "A. j. Ii
sylvester, Mandan; DIR. r. Archer, VAL
ey City; j. G. Leum, Mayville.
Labor-A. w. Bowman, chairman, +
Fargo; Or. John M. Gillette, Grand
Forks; Carl Rakow, Wheatland; Paul
WaIhalla; c. H. Roney,
0akes.
Health and Sanitation Red Cross /
III. NJ Wheeler, chairman, .
Grand Forks: Mrs Mary ID. Weible, +
Fargo; DR.. E p. Quain, Bismarck: DIR.
A. j. MCDANIEL. Minot: DR. J. 2. Aylen,
Fargo.
Patriotic organizations-F. o. He'll Iy
strom. chairman, Bismarck; Dorr Car :
Ccontinued on Page Two) !