New-York tribune., 1917-07-15

PROBABLY no better summary OF 'he
activities OF America al war through
other than Federal government chan
nels can be obtained than in report
which has been issued by the Section
on Cooperation with States of the Coun-
Gil of National Defence. The report
shows how within the last three months
there has been developed a system of
state councils of defence cooperating
with the National Council at Washing
ton and in turn directing and CO.
ordinating the work OF county, muni-
cipal and individual patriotic commit
tees and societies.
A letter suggesting the organization
OF state councils was sent 70 all Gov
ernors on April by Secretary of War
Baker. On May and a national de-
fence conference was held in Wash
ington, at which there was present
representative Of every state govern
ment. including eleven Governors.
Since then a state council has been
organized in every state in the Union,
with the exception OF Mississippi and
Delaware. In the latter state, where
the principal activities have been con-
Quoted by the Wilmington County Com
mittee on National Defence, 1t has been
announced that the Governor Is soon
to appoint a state council.
What Council Recommended
Among the activities suggested in
circular letters and bulletins sent out
by the National Council were the
urging Of the maintenance of existing
safeguards of health and welfare of
workers; passage of legislation en-
powering Governors TO suspend labor
laws; cooperation in promoting the sale
of the Liberty Loan; the recognition OF
state womens committees representing
the Woman's Committee Of the Coun-
Gil of National Defence; recommen-
daton for the celebration of Registra-
tion Day; cooperation with the Nag
tional Board of Fire Underwriters in
conserving supplies in storage; CO.
operation with the state medical socie-
ties representing the Medical Section
of the National Council: aid in ex-
tending the Federal Reserve system;
aid in establishing a United States
Boys Working Reserve; forwarding OF
information as to the temporary admls-
sion of otherwise inadmlssible Imml-
grants to engage exclusively IN agri-
cultural labor; assisting the Commercial
Economy Board in preventing the re-
turn of unsod bread TO bakers, and
other assistance to Herbert {. Hoover
/ in carving out the nations food con-
servaton policies.
Speaking of the councils created by
act of Legislature, the report says;
"All the councils of this group are
/ statutory bodies intrusted with the
/ duty of promoting and guiding the
/ state war activities. In all cases ex-
cept Michigan and New York their
membership consists primarily OF civil
/ ians representing the activities, INDUS
/ tries and resources Of the state. Their
members are appointed on a nOn-parti-
san basis. The functions and powers
are fundamentally similar, except IN
Michigan, New York and West Nir-
ginia. These powers are as follows;
Powers of State Councils
"The general function and power 70
carry on activities for war within the
state; power TO investigate any matter
relating to the general welfare and
safety Of the state or nation IN time
of war; power TO report 10 the Gov
ernor or the Legislature and to recon-
mend legislation; power to supervise
and direct the cooperation end assist
ance of local and municipal govern
ment bodies and officials and of asso-
Citations receiving state aid, and power
to create subcommittee and TO act
through them"
In Minnesota the council has power
b seize any property by condemnation
proceedings and the Wisconsin council
is empowered to seize, store and dis
tribute foodstuffs and fuel.
"In all cases." the report continues,
"there has been appropriated to these
councils considerable funds. sometimes
as a general appropriation 70 cover the
expenses of all activities performed by
them directly, in other cases a specific
appropriation varying from $4,000 to
S5,0O0,000.
The New York Council
an New York the Governor. Super
intendent of Public Works, Engineer,
Commissioner of Agriculture, a repre-
sentative of the Citizens Preparedness
Association. a secretary and an auditor
have been constituted by statute the
State Defence Council. Subordinate
to this council and directly under the
adjutant generals department is a
committee of experts composed of
twelve civilians, who volunteer their
time, each being expert in one of the
twelve divisions in which the activities
Of the department are divided. These
twelve chiefs of divisions constitute
State Advisory Council of Defence"
OF the councils without statutory
recognition, which are also non-parti-
san in character, the report says:
The councils of this group vary in
size from bodies Of six to two hundred
In Indiana, Massachusetts,. New Hamp-
shire and Pennsylvania, though given
no legislative establishment, these
councils have been granted an appro-
priation 70 cover their expenses; in
several other states they indirectly
supervise the expenditure of large
war iuhd appropriated 10 the Governor.
These councils are directly con-
trolled by the state executive depart
ments and assist them in carrying out
their war undertakings, both as in
vestigating and advisory bodies and
as executive organizations centralizing
local defence units. They often exer-
else large powers as an agency Of the
Governor.
New Jersey Body Unique
A unique type of state organization
exists in New Jersey. There all the