New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-04
Governors Hear
Plan for National
Service Reserve
Women and Men Not Sub.
ject to Draft to Help in
Government Duties

Washington. May plans for
great national service reserve. made
up Of men not subject to draft into
the army and Of women, already ap-
proved by the War Department. were
submitted to the Council Of National
Defence to-day at conference Of the
council with state governors and rep
resentatives Of state defence councils.
Members Of the reserve would be
available for any service they could
perform for the government.
The plans were presented by George
Wharton Pepper. representative Of
the Pennsylvania State Defence Coun-
ell and chairman Of national com
mittee Of patriotic and defence soci-
cites.
Nine 10 Head Reserve
The reserve would be headed by a
board Of nine nationally known men.
which would operate through ma
tiOnal committee of members from all
the states. Under the national com
mittee there would he state and dis
trict committees. and in Washington
a permanent headquarters administra-
tive committee.
Membcrship on the board Of nine
has been tentatively accepted, it was
stated. by eX-preSident Taft, General
Goethals and Henry l.. Stimson, eX-
Secretary Of War.
The purpose Of the organization, as
outlined to the Defence Council. j. 10
obtain military or civic service. which
could not be performed by enlisted
men. 10 aid in recruiting, 20 work
under any private employer engaged on
government contracts, or on farms. and
to supply the army and navy. When
not in active service reserve members
could aid in home defence. They would
receive compensation for the time spent
in govcrnmet service.
One serious problem facing the gov
eminent. Mr.. Pepper declared. was 10
utilize the efforts of the thousands
who are volunteering for any service
they can render. Creation Of the re-
serve. he said, would lift burden from
the shoulders Of government officials
and give volunteers chance to be Of
real service.
Programme Outlined
The Defence Council TO-DAY gave the
Governors and state representatives al
outline Of a programme for state as
sistance TO the Federal government in
the conduct Of the war. They were
told that etate defence councils could:
Promote patriotic spirit and educate
the people to the magnitude of the
task ahead; aid in recruiting the Ma
tional Guard; assist in carrying GU,
8. l. -
IN determining exemptions from draft;
maintain labor standards; establish
Ia bOr-c.earing houses. help in getting
workers to use their "broken time" on
the farms; assist in getting idle men
and boys TO the farms; afford fscili-
ties In aiding the government TO col
lect revenues, help float the liberty
loan; organize central food production
committees to work with the state de
fence councils: supply their own food
requirements wherever possible. and
reduce waste in homes.
Members of the Federal Councils
organization outlined at length to the
governors the governments prepared
ness steps. Daniel Willard. chairman
OF the Committee on Transportation.
described the work of the General
Railroad Board. which is now oper-
atng the country's railroad lines as
one continental system. Howard COT
fin. chairman Of the Committee on
Munitions. told of efforts to find facili-
ties for an adequate supply Of guns
and ammunition.
Director Clifford Of the council and
George ID. Porter. who heads the divi-
sion On state organization. outlined
the councils organization. DR.. Anna
Howard Shaw. chairman of the Wom-
ems Defence Committee. told what
women hoped TO do in the war