Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1917-04-06
Heated Discussion of National Crisis
at Meeting of Associated
Students
ACTION TO BE TAKEN TUESDAY

resolutions backing President wilson
and Congress in whatever they may
deem IL advisable to do was passed
at the Tuesday morning meeting of
the Associated Students. A very
lively discussion ensued and resulted
in tabling the resolution introduced
by Mr.. Todd favoring universal mil
itary training until the meeting next
Tuesday. The other set of resolu-
tons suggested by DR.. Eliot provided
for future action.
Captain Osterman opened the dis
cussion by giving a few pertinent
facts In regard to the present situa-
ton OF the United States in case it
should be involved in the war. He
showed clearly our lack of sufficient
equipment and trained men to repell
invasion from another country. He
expressed the belief that universal
military training was the only solu-
ton for the problem of national de-
Tense and security While he did not
wish to influence the student body
unduly, it was his honest conviction
that this offered the only real solu-
tion to the problem.
The regular meeting of the Asso-
eiated Students then began and p. f.
Todd proposed set of resolutions
favoring universal military training
in some form or other. Tom Parry
said that while he believed in back
ing the President TO the last man of
the college, he did not believe it
necessary to adopt any set of resolu-
tions such as introduced by Mr..
Todd. D. F. Sheehan, the pacifist of
the group, approved Parry's idea and
added a lengthy argument against
preparedness in general. On motion
by F. NJ. Busby that the resolutions
be tabled until next Tuesday in
order to give the students a chance
to consider the matter carefully. the
matter was dropped until the next
meeting.
DR.. Eliot read series of resolu-
tons as suggestion for action by
the student body. The resolutions
were later adopted. They read as
follows:
Whereas, If there be war, every
citizen will be needed and every
patriotic citizen will wish to be OF
highest service to the nation; and
Whereas, Military preparedness
now involves mobilization and or
ganization of every effective unit
with every individual available in his
most highly skilled capacity; and
Whereas. Even if there were no
war, such mobilization. organization
and preparedness for national sery-
ice in peace or war is an act of con-
structive patriotism; and
Whereas, other colleges through
out the nation are engaged In organ
izing their available men and women
for national service in war or peace;
therefore, be 1t
Resolved. That a committee of
three upperclass men be now APP
pointed to report to a meeting of this
body next Tuesday on the following
plan;
/. That a committee be appointed
TO cooperate with a com mittee of the
faculty. TO mobilize the resources of
the college for national service in
war or in peace
2. That a blank be furnished 10
every student through classrooms for
this purpose.
3. That the plan be backed and if
necessary financed by the Associated
Students; and
4 Be made a permanent activity
of the Associated Students by means
of an annual census, war or no war.
of each man and woman and what
each is doing and can do for national
service, war or no war.
5. That the special services of the
college as a unit for economic and
agricultural mobilization for the pro-
duction, control and distribution of
food supplies be offered by telegram
TO Secretary Houston as soon as war
is declared.
s. That this plan, if approved. be
sent at once TO President Holland,
the regents, the Governor and to the
press, and wired to the War Depart
ment as soon as war is declared 10
exist.
Tom Parry moved that a commit
tee be appointed TO draw up a set of
resolutions which would express the
approval Of the entire student body
OF any action that the President or
Congress might feel it necessary to
pass. The motion was passed by an
overwhelming majority. The COM
mittee, with Tom Parry as chairman,