The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-06-08
AID or GOVERNORS
National Defense Council Issues
Warning Against Hysteria.
STATE CENSUS is OPPOSED.

Areas Likely to Be Theaters Of War
Operations Designated and Recon-
meneIations Presented For Road
BuiIding-In Certain Contingencies
May Fix Food Prices.
Washington.-Gov who sought
advice from the Council of National
Defense concerning their war activities
at the national defense conference re-
ceiyed their instructions In a detailed
statement which covered a hundred
phases of the work necessary to get
the country in shape for a successful
war against Germany.
, The advice was in the form of an
swers to stated questions on industrial
and military subjects. There ran
through the document an apparent
warning against hysteria in action
which might hamper rather than ac-
complisb the desired results. Here are
some of the important points made:
First.-The national council recon-
UlGlluS lLul Iut blutC NOuhNAio ohdil
courage economy and discourage ex-
travagant living and the purchase of
luxuries among the people Of their re-
spective states.
Second.-In regard to the postpone
ment of state or municipal works now
under way and not of pressing i'm
portance the council, generally speak
ing" advises that nothing now under
way should be abandoned except un-
der pressing necessity; nor should new
projects be started not Of pressing i'm
portance.
Third.-The council has not made
any suggestion for the postponement
In any state of work on cooperative
highway projects to such an extent
that redistribution of public money
will be necessary.
Fourth.-The taking Of census by
states of men for either military or
Industrial service, supplementary to
federal registration-a step which has
been contemplated In some other
states-was discouraged. On this point
the document says: "The council does
not desire such census for the pres
ent 1t is not needed just now and
when completed and ready for use
would soon he obsolete owing to rap
Idly changing Industrial conditions"
Fifth.-The council may in certain
contingencies fix either or both mini
mum and maximum food prices If au-
thorized by law, but holds that until
legislation is passed 1t is impossible to
make definite statement.
In reply to advice In regard to the
road building which would make the
location and character of the highway
better suited for military purposes. the
council furnishes copy of letter
from Secretary Baker to Secretary
Houston giving in detail the areas like.
ly to be the theater of war operations
and presenting recommendations as to
road building for military purposes.
The areas in question are:
(a) The area about Long Island, In
Guiding most of the states of Rhode
Island Maine, New Hampshire. Yer
mont, Massachusetts, Connecticut and
New York
(b) The area about Chesapeake bay,
including much OF the states OF New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland Vir-
glnia, North Carolina and Delaware,
(cl The Pacific coast area, including
California, Oregon and Washington.
(dl The Mexican border, including
thp southern Dnrt of tha Stntps of Tex
as, New Mexico, Arizona and Califor'
MIA.
(e) The great lakes area, including
the states of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan
Illinois and parts of Wisconsin and
Minnesota