New-York tribune., 1917-07-15
Every Community in the Country
Conserving Resources for War
Summary Shows Intensive Activity of Hundreds of Local
Boards Cooperating with National Council Of De-
fence and Co-ordinating Work of State, County.
Municipal and Individual Bodies

mittee meets with the chairman Of the
Subcommittee as a general council, to
effect coordination between the sctivi-
ties OF the committees and TO deter
mine important questions of policy.
All local committees are directly con-
trolled by the adjutant generals de-
partment.
Seventeen states have reported that
they have organized a subcommittee
of their council 10 deal with the prob
lem OF correlating the patriotic activi-
ties of the various clubs, societies and
associations of the state. This is OF
great value in avoiding duplication and
confusion. and is recommended to all
states. The councils of defence of llli-
nois, Massachusetts,, New Hampshire.
New York. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin
have reported that their committee is
in communication with the patriotic
societies in their state, and has Joined
with them in a mutual effort TO prevent
duplication and TO secure a well bal
anced distribution among these asso-
Citations of funds and assistance and
systematic allotment of functions and
opportunities for service.
Coordination Committees Named
a committee on coordination of asso-
Citations directly subordinate 70 the
state committee These committees are
composed of representatives of the
various patriotic societies in the COM
munity. Under the direction of the
Mayors Committee on National Defence
u large co0rdinating council containing
one representative from each OF the
sixty philanthropic or patriotic socie-
ties and a collateral committee. with
representatives from each of fifty-hve
women's organizations is now coord-
mating and supervising all voluntary
war activities.
In Wisconsin and Illinois the prin-
ciple work of coordination Of activities
has been done by women. Florida has
provided for the work by placing a
representative of all the principal So
cieties on its state council, and a rep
resentative of the Federation of Wom-
ems Clubs. Bankers Association, Press
Association. Federation of Labor, Farm
ers' Union and Teachers Association
on its county councils. These councils
themselves thus act as clearing house
for activities of societies.
Two Nautical Schools Praised
A majority of the state have report
ed the full list of their military COM
mittees and the reports on recruiting
have "been unfortunately meagre and
dscouraging." New York and Wiscon-
sin. it is pointed out, publish bulletins
which have aided in increasing enlist
ing. New York and Massachusetts, are
praised for their work in establishing
nautical schools previous 70 the war
"A few states" the report continues,
"have reported an effort 70 provide ade-
duate facilities for transporting men,
etc. through their states.
Rhode Island has undertaken to
keep its state and governmental em-
ployes on the government payrolls while
on military service. New Hampshire
and Michigan have passed statutes TO
provide aid for the dependents Of sol
diers and sailors"
Auxiliary Police Organized
A considerable number of states,
fearing danger from alien enemies at
a time when the entire organized mi
lita of the state is drafted into Fed
eral service, have undertaken TO sup
plement by volunteer guard the pro-
lection to life and property afforded
by the regular police force. Though this
activity is considered desirable by tho
National Council of Defence, it is to be
remembered that in an increasing num-
ber Of states home defence will be suf-
fciently provided for by the constant
presence in the state OF large masses
OF men being trained for military SER
vice.
In New York City. Philadelphia and
many other municipalities homo guards
were organized previous 20 the actual
declaration of war. In the New YORK
Home Guard the unit Of organization
is the police precinct
Several Of the state councils have or
ganized committees dealing with tins
problem of home defence for the stats
as a whole. In this case the duties OF
the guard resemble the home duties OF
the militia, and organization on mill
tary basis is customary and desirable.
In New York, New Jersey and Georgia
the home guard has been organized
without recourse TO special legislation.
New York has organized a home de-
fence corps under the military law OF
the state, with companies Of between
thirty-six and one hundred enlisted
men, ofiicered by a captain, first and
second leutenants and non-commis-
stoned officers. In districts where the
population is too small 70 recruit
full company provision is made for the
organization Of detached platoons to
consist of not over fifty men.
Men in Service Refused
The enrolment Is divided into two
classes-the first may be ordered TO
any part OF the state, while the second
may be called for local duty only. This
same division has been made ia the en-
rolment of the New Jersey Guard. In
the recruiting Of the Home Defence
Corps of New York men eligible for the
National Guard, army and navy are re-
fused, and there are separate organlza-
tions of men between the ages Of eigh-
teen and forty-fve, and of boys from
sixteen TO eighteen and men from forty
five TO sixty-four.
Georgia, New Hampshire, New York
and Rhode Island have planned or un-
dertaken a census Of aliens, and in all
Of these states. with the exception Of
Georgia. law has been passed provid-
ing for the compulsory registration OF
aliens. Massachusetts,. Maryland, New
Hampshire. New York and Vermont
have conducted industrial surveys. In
Utah a comprehensive investigation and
report have been made of the various re-
sources within three hundred miles OF
Salt Lake City, the industrial centre OF
the state.
Connecticut. Maryland. New York
and Vermont have undertaken or have
completed a general man-power census.
In New York and West Virginia there
are statutes providing for such CEN
sus The information and e. perience
from these will be Of great .alue, but
the Council does not at this time rec
ommend that more than man-power
censuses be taken.
Massachusetts, and Rhode Island,
th-nnrh akair statn cnuncils Of defence