Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-16

Expressing the conviction that Con-
Ercss has delayed beyond reason the
enactment Of laws necessary 10 put
the country in a state Of defense. the
Virginia Council of Defense yesterday
adopted a resolution urging that body
to accept forthwith tho leadership OF
President Wilson in lcGislatinS for the
safely of the nation.
The council incorporated in It's rcSo-
luton the belief that the United States
10 facing perilous crisis lin n con-
diuon OF almost complete unprcparcd-
ness" and referred to tho hesitation
Of Congress to provide proper war
chinery as disclosing IAN alarming
division OF opinion and vacillation of
purpose"
Copies Of tho resolution we're sent
by Colonel ". II. liunlcy. secretary TO
tho council. to President Wilson and
TO NirEinias representatives in Con-
Ercss. It's adoption was tho outstand-
ing feature 81 tho second days session
Of the distinguished body of NirEinian
whom tho Governor has called TO the
task OF mobiiizinG the States resources
for tho war emergency. $500
CoAMITTEE FERFECTS
NOHK BEGUN On MONDAY
fun meeting on Monday, a special com
mittcc OF tho council. composed Of
Richard Evelyn Byrd James o. Win
s,on, Dr. Ennion q. Williams and X.
Walton Moore. met yesterday TO report
measures which arc designed as the
basis upon which tho body will work.
This committee drafted and adopted the
resolution ccnsurinS Congress.
Impressed with tho prime importance
OF incrca sing 10 tho greatest degree
food production in the State this year.
The committees initial efforts were
directed toward bringing assistance TO
those small farmers who arc dependent
upon loan for starting the years
work. To help them the council will
Immediately put into operation the fol-
lowing plan:
Through the cooperation OF the
State Bankers Association and in
dividual banking institutions, there
will he established a pool OF from
100000 TO 100000 for distribution by
central board, appointed by tho
COUNCIL to deserving farmers who
wish TO purchase seeds and equipment.
NO COLLATERAL To DE
REQUIRED FoR LOANS
No collateral will he required for
L
stunned to- know the character of the
/ applicant. and will be empowered to
make the loan regardless Of his ability
TO give collateral security. Several
banks in Virginia have agreed TO the
/ proposition. Prominent bankers have
/ advanced the idea. and little trouble is
anticipated in carrying the plan
through.
/ Another far-reaching decision OF the
i committee vast to search out the Fir-
| Sinia statutes dealing with vagrancy.
i bring them together and provide for
rigid enforcement by officers. The
L reason for this is TO put An end TO
loafng. and turn nonproducers into
/ producers with the strong arm of the
| law. The startling scarcity of labor
throughout the State requires that
/ every. man OF physical ability be put
to work. 1t Is felt by the council
that the enforcement Of these laws
| will add materially to the laborins
population.
The council will send out within a
| short time an urgent appeal TO the
| ministers Of the State TO preach from
their pulpits the doctrine of prepared
ness and TO use all the force of their
| eloquence in stirring UP latent patriot
ism in their focks. One of the prin-
\ cipal duties imposed upon the council
| is to bring 10 the people OF Virginia
the realization that the country ac-
| tually is at war with powerful ma
| ton. and that every person within its
borders will be called upon TO do his
| proportionate share toward bringing il
TO successful conclusion. The min
listers. it Is thought, constitute the
most effective agency for bringing
about this realization.
DISCUSS QUESTION OF
GUARANTEEING PRICES
: The question OF. guaranteeing to the
farmer minimum price for his
3sproducts was discussed, but no definite
faction was taken. Right at tho outset
lthercouncil. in dealing with this phase
:of tho defense problem, is faced with
Its Gown inability 10 make good its
Euarfntfe. 1t believes that It is. safe
10 saying to the farmer that prices
viii! not come below certain figures,
tcontjuued on Third Page.)