Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-23


Committee on Public Safety. together
with the chairmen of the county com
mittees, held an important meeting at
the Blaine House today.
Hon. Harold NJ Sewall of Bath, the
chairman OF the committee, in calling
it to order, said:
1T is three months, lacking a few
days, since you, with the other men,
bers of the Committee on One Hun
dred. met at Portland in response to
the governors call After delegating
certain powers to your executive COM
mittee, you returned to organize your
various counties. At that convention
of the Committee on Public Safety. l
took occasion to point out the limi-
tations under which we were to act;
that while we had no legal status, we
were to supplement existing authori-
ties. 10 fill in the gaps. and it was gen
orally understood that our actions in
the emergencies that were thrust upon
us. should be such as was dictated by
prudence and the concensus of public
opinion as to what we could do for the
common good.
1T speaks we'll for the spirit of our
people, that with necessarily vague
and underlined scope of authority YOU
have accomplished all that YOU have.
There has been no friction within the
different committees. or between them,
by any pride of position or personal
motives: in spite of the fact that you
have had very many committees or
AL. u 1x-t 4
tie duplication of effort The splen-
did spirit which animated the Port
land convention, of unselfish devotion.
has remained with you. You and all
your committees have retained the
confidence of the executive whose COM
mission you hold, and of the people you
have tried to serve. You Will retain
that confidence while opportunity for
service remains, which is the only eX-
cuse for our existence!
1T seems fitting at this time to take
steps to prepare for permanent record,
through the reports which will be re-
ceived here. something of your accom-
plishments and with a survey thus af-
forded to take our bearings for the flu
ture This will he more easily done,
as regards the objects of our work
that may be styled distinctly local, and
of state Importance than it will be as
regards what we may be called upon
to do as an executive committee in
conjunction with the federal authori-
ties, for il should he recalled that we
were summoned by the governor. The
executive secretary will report to you
nj; co;
ly for state purposes, and / cannot
speak too highly of his energy and
whole-souled devotion to the work. AS
chairman of the executive committee,
have been brought particularly into
contact with the federal authorities.
Every state in the union, save one. has
a committee on public safety, or ma
tional defense working in conjunction
with the Council of National Defense,
consisting OF six members Of the cab
met, aided by an advisory board Of
seven of the most responsible business
men of the country. My first duty was
to attend a conference summoned by
the Council of National Defense,
where the representatives Of the COM
mittees on public safety and the gov
errors of states, who were present,
were addressed at length by the Presi-
dent secretary of war, secretary Of
the navy, secretary of the interior,
secretary Of commerce and labor and
several of the advisory council It
was impressed upon us that we could
be of great service to the nation and
that we might be summoned again at
any time for further conference, as
emergencies which may not be fore
seen, developed"
Chairman Sewall pointed out that
the work Of the committee on naval
affairs and that Of military affairs. had
Of course been wholly with the fed
eral authorities, and that the chief
work which has occupied the attention
Of the executive secretary the last
three weeks was in recruiting a trans
portation unit which was finally en-
listed Tuesday last. The committee
has been appealed to by the federal
authorities to recruit up Names quota
in the regular army in which respect
Maine so far is very derelict. and very
nearly at the bottom Of the list OF
states.
The governor has taken the position
that Names second regiment must be
filled first and before further action the
committee will await this
Following the address by Chairman
sewall. Frank G. Wright. vice president
of the Bangor & Aroostook Railroad, a
member Of the committee Of Transports
ton Of the Committee on Public Safety.
who is also member Of the New Eng
land conference on the coal situation. adj
dressed the committee and the various
chairmen at length. Following is a
resume Of Mr.. Wright's suggestions Of
by which the use and supply Of
coal may be conserved: For the duration
Of the war. the suspension Of municipal
and county improvements which require
tho use Of coal cars for the transpotta-
tio0 <1R erAVAl nand brick and 0tlanP