The Colorado statesman., 1917-07-21
GUNTER'S
MESSAGE
DELIVERED TO MEMBERS OF
COLORADO GENERAL ASSEM-
BLY, IN EXTRA SESSION.
Many Matters of Unusual Importance
for Consideration by War Body as
Troops of State Are Mustered
Into Federal Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Oenver.-On the 18th, Governor j. c.
5unter delivered the following mes
sage to the members OF the Twenty
first General Assembly. convened in
extraordinary session:
Mr.. President and Members of the
Twenty-first General Assembly:
When this body gathered and ad-
iourned in regular session our nation
was at peace with all the world; now,
tanic struggle which has marked the
course of history. Every effort known
to the law of nations. to the wisdom
of diplomacy. has been availed of to
avert upon honorable terms participa-
ton in this conflict-all in vain. The
United States of America-our country
200. .O00. 900 of people equipped by years
of military training, and whose splen-
did fighting qualities no brave man
can doubt. Wrong are the rulers OF
these valiant peoples, but Loyalty and
devotedly do they follow these lead
ers. Our people con"titute peaceful
their peaceful pursuits, the upbuilding
of their country, but the time has new
er been when the call to arms has
sounded that the American people have
failed to become the brave and eff
cient soldier and to make all sacrifices
necessary to the gage of battle. First
tice of their cause. have invoked the
blessings of high heaven upon the sa-
credness of their combat, then have
they unsheathed the sword and with
ali the enthusiasm and power of the
nation thrown themselves into the con-
flict. While this great Republic en-
dures, it's citizens will thrill with the
thought that marked the birth of the
nation. Recall the scene as the found
ers of our Republic, facing the little
less than certainty of all the penalties
nf h ferh
of Abiood-solemnly affixed their sig
natures to the covenant:
nd for the SuPp9et of tss
with a firm reliance upon the
protection of Divine Providence,
we mutually pledge to each other
our lives, our fortunes and our
sacred honor"
You, the War Legislature of Colo
RADIO. are today enacting another sol
emn scene; you are renewing this
pledge for yourselves and every citi-
zen of this commonwealth. Almost i'm
possible to realize, know surrounded
as we are with the comforts and pleas
ures of home and the usual activities
of business life, yet terribly true 1t
is, we are in a state of war and IN
few short weeks pathetic evidence of
this reality will be coming to us from
over the seas. Yours is the grave re-
sponsibility of providing for the peace
and good order of this state in this
hour of peril and making provision for
Its generous and loyal support of the
nation. General Assembly after Cen
eral Assembly of this commonwealth
may gather under this granite-sup-
ported dome; but no graver responsi-
bilities will come to its membership
Twenty first General Assembly. Hon
ored at any time is the citizen to be
a member of the General Assembly OF
member of the War Legislature of our
State.
EXTRAORDINARY SESSION.
The constitution of our state en-
powers the chief executive on extra
ordinary occasion to convene the Cen
eral Assembly. The proclamation has
issued; you are here. Facts In aid of
your deliberations and the purposes of
convening should be before you.
Immediately upon the national dec
laration of a state of war urgent mes
sages came from the nations chief ask
ing an Inventory of our resources, our
agricultural lands. our timber lands
coal. zinc, lead. copper, ordinary pro-
duction, possible production; railroads,
men employed in various activities. In
a word the power of Colorado and her
citizenship to contribute to the ma
tion's needs in the great world war.
Urgent injunctions likewise came to
guard our resources against alien enc
mics. A war advisory council to the
of state action were selected. They took
up their respective fields of activity.
Information was gathered. activities
entered upon, reports prepared ana
substantial results attained.
The inventory of the states affairs
discloses 100000 square miles OF terri. 4.
tory, population 100000, diversity OF
nationalities. diversity of interests,
hundreds of reservoirs the dams of
dozens of which are greater than the
Johnstown dam. impounding more wa
ter and If broken the possibilities or
destruction therefrom greater. Reser,
voirs in the Arkansas watershed and
lying thereInder ,,tt more than han 5ooego
voirs in the Rio Grande watershed, ly-
ing Hereunder more than 100000 acres
OF highly cultivated land. Without
other great reservoirs within our state
and immense bodies of agricultural
to more than suggest the. stupendous
and widespread ruin that would be
consequent upon their obstruction
Coal mines 1914, production from Janur
100000 tons All important that the
production of these properties be con-
Employed in and around these mines
$4,000; a substantial part alien enc
mics. Copper, lead and zinc mines
yielding ores of value of practically
$25, 100000 per year; men employed
about $4,000; a considerable part be-
ing alien enemies. Power plants, stor-
of railroads with much of their mile
age through our mountainous sections
Heavy construction, lengthy tunnels,
comes the warning from Washington,
the dictate of common-sense and pa.
triotism: provide for the security of
these properties" The State Guard
was called, but not a man more than
necessary. and many hours of anxiety
were experienced in the fear of made
uuate protection. These steps have In
yolved substantial expense.
August 5th the National Guard of the
state will be mustered into federal
service 1t was Colorados duty to fill
UP this guard, at heavy expense.