Omaha daily bee., 1917-05-10
SAFETY COUNCIL
WILL ORGANIZE
STATE FOR WAR
R L. Metcalfe, General Harries
and T. P. Reynolds Outline
Plans for the De-
tense Work.
TO MOBILIZE RESOURCES
Will Conserve Labor, Speed Up
Industries and Release
Men for Army. O..
ASSIST IN DRAFT WORK

On the State Council for Defense
name by Governor Neville are three
Omahans, r. L. Metcalfe, General
George Harris and T. P. Reynolds,
These three gave an outline Of their
plans as follows:
To bring about the draft registra-
ton in Nebraska without expense to
the federal government.
To organize each county in the
state for an educational campaign de-
failing war needs.
To conserve labor so that all activ-
tiles may be stimulated to the utmost
with fewer workers.
General Harries was made chair
man of committee on recruiting
and the selectige draft. R. L. Met
calfe was chosen chairman OF a COM
mittee on secret service. 7. P. Rey-
nolds, who is president of the Central
Labor union in Omaha, was made
chairman of a committee on labor.
Urge Service in All Branches.
General Harries said: Under my
department we will organize the state
to urge enlistment in all the branches
of the service before the draft be-
comes effective.
This will give chance to the men
who will not be eligible under the
draft on account of the age limit.
Meanwhile we will prepare for the
draft itself, which will come soon
after the president issues his
proclamation, which will be iimmedi-
ately after he signs the bill. The
state council will cooperate with the
national council and the War depart
ment in making registration day
great day If patriotism and celebra-
ton. We want bands to be playing,
and patriotism shown everywhere,
not only or the part of those register
irg, but on the part of those not eligi7
Bile. such as mothers. fathers and sis
tiers Of those registering.
Want Registrars.
"We will also urge men to come
forward to help in the registration
without pay. Funds are available to
handle this work, but it would be
tremendously pleasing to the War de-
partment il we could have enough
men volunteer to do the work graf
uitously; also it would be very pleas
ing to the state as we'll as credtable.
The Patriotic League of Nebraska. of
which Judge w. D. McHugh is pres
ident, will doubtless worl: with us"
Richard L. Metcalfe, chairman of
the committee on secret service, said:
mo, there will probably be no SEN
sational developments in my ap-
pointment as chairman of this COM
mittee. 1t will be an educational work
l will have to do. l hope to organize
every county in the state with from
one to a half dozen men, who will
keep headquarters informed as to the
situation and the war sentiment in
the various counties. There is vast
amount of misnformation in vari-
GUS parts of the state in regard to
the cause of the war and the purpose
of the war. We will learn where this
misconception exists and will then
send out speakers to hold patriotic
meetings and rallies. OF course open
acts of treason will be reported to
the council"
T. P. Reynolds, chairman of the
labor committee, said: "We will look
after the conserving of labor, and the
running of the industries. | can't say
as to all we will have to look after
until we get instructions from the
national council. We expect to have
these by the time the next meeting
is held next Tuesday evening at Lin
coin"
Asked if there would be any at
tempt to prevent strikes during war
time, Mr., Reynolds said II don't
believe that matter will be touched.
That is matter left wholly to the
labor unions themselves"