The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1917-05-03
governor CALLS
SPECIAL SESSION
SUMMONS SENT BY coRNWELL
TO WEST VIRGINIA soLoNS
FOR EXTRA SESSION.
FLAW FOUND IN ANCIENT LAW
|'Forbids Government Owning More
Than 25 Acres-Acceptanee of 2o5
Acres From Charleston for Armor
Plant Site Is Involved.
tspecial charleston Correspondenee.l

Especial Charleston Correspondence)
harleston.-Because a section of
. the code of West Virginia prohibits the
National Government from owning
more than % acres of land in single
tract in the state, Gov. John j. Corn
we'll was compelled to summon the
State Legislature in extraordinary ses-
sion May IA, month earlier than he
had intended. With the selection of
the site at Charleston for the con-
'struction of the Federal armor plate
and projectile factories some one dis
|,covered the ancient statute, which had
been placed in the code in the early
days of the state, limiting Government
ownership of property within the bor-
ders of the state to % acres.
In order 10 cure the defect imme-
I.diately and to enable the Government
to proceed with the construction of it's
hugo plants on the site of 205 acres
presented by the Charleston Chamber
I. .of Commerce, Gov. Cornwell summon
ed the solons to Charleston for the pur-
pose of amending the law so that title
to the property may be conveyed to
the National Government
Gov. Cornwell, in a letter to the
members of the Legislature, explained
that he was including no general legis-
lation in his call for the extra session,
largely because more than 100 subjects
had been urged on him by members of
the Legislature. To include q few and
omit others would have been discrim-
inatory. Nine items appear in the call
of the Governor.
1. To make appropriations for the
payment of the per diem and compen-
'sation of the members, officers and
attaches.
2 To pass general appropriation
bill to pay general charges on the
Treasury
3. TO pass such legislation as may
be deemed necessary to empower the
Federal Government to acquire by gift,
purchase or condemnation, the total to
sufficient real estate on which to con
struct an armor plate plant, projectile
plant or other works, and to exercise
jurisdiction over such land when ac-
quired
4. To enact any proper measure, or
measures, which, in the Judgment of
the Legislature. may be necessary to
enable the state TO render proper or
necessary aid to the Federal Govern.
ment in prosecuting the war in which
1t is engaged.
3. TO make necessary special ap.
preparations of public moneys to de.
fray any extraordinary expenses that
may be incurred in rendering assist
ance to the Federal Government i'm the
prosecution of the war or in the pro.
lection of the citizens of the state or
their property
6. To legalize the appointment of
the State Council for Defense and to
clothe it with power and authority to
carry out the work for which ii is
created, under the direction of and in
cooperation with the Council of Ma.
tional Defense.
Z. To enlarge the powers of any
state officers TO meet any emergency
arising out OF the war or the conditions
resulting from II.
8. TO take any action regarding the
Virginia debt suit that may. in the
Judgment OF the Legislature, seem
necessary or that developments in the
meantime shall seem to warrant
.. TO consider and submit to the
people, at the next general election. a
constitutional amendment providing
Tor a state budget.