Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1917-06-23
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

GOVcTuOT f1dTTluStOu Sdlu.
"A time has arrived in human affairs
which no prophet could have foretold.
but which is fraught with conse-
quences or potentialities so grave that
they stagger the human intellect to
measure or to comprehend. In the
face of conditions like these. true to
her duty and her history and her ira
ditions, Maryland must and will play
no laggard's part"
For Compulsory Work.
OF the compulsory labor measure.
he said:
Il suggest likewise for your very
thoughtful consideration whether IL
would not be wise during the present
war, il the necessity should arise. to
pass a compulsory work act. While
our soldiers are at the front fighting
our nations battles, 1t seems to me
no injustice to require all able-bodied
citizens to be engaged or be employed
in some useful or food-producing oc-
cupation."
After speaking of the necessity for
the protection of the crab, fishing and
oyster industry, the Governor said:
State Council OF Defense.
Shortly after the declaration by the
Congress that state Of war existed
between this country and Germany ]
appointed a Commission of Prepared
ness, or what is called in most states
State Council of Defense. This COM
mission, with General Carl r. Gray as
their chairman, have done wonderful
work, and some of them have devoted
nearly all Of their time to the States
and country's service. The different
states have given these commissions
legal status. Their service is entire
ly voluntary, and 1 now ask the Leg
islature to pass law creating ana
providing for the Maryland Council OF
Defense so that their services may be
recognized by the State and in the
future may still be more efficient.
"The question of food production.
the question Of labor, the question of
proper seed supply, have all come up
for careful consideration. 1t was sug-
gested that the Governor or the Board
of Public Works might indirectly Dor
row the money necessary in rendering
the aid needed, and certain banks Of
fered to advance as much as million
dollars for all necessary purposes.
But could not seriously consider the
using of this money, however urgent
the necessity, for it would have been
a plain violation of law and though |
wished to avoid running the State to
all unnecessary expense, l could not
for one moment permit the necessary
costs of an extraordinary session to
persuade me to go beyond the plain
provisions of the law as to the right
of the State to borrow, so have call
ed your body in extraordinary session
that you may consider the needs Of
the State during the present emer-
gency."
Governor Harrington then recon-
mended the passage Of the bill leasing
the State fishery vessels to the Gov
eminent.
Army Camp Site.
Of the great army cantonment site
which it is believed the Government
will acquire at Admiral, Anne Arundel
county, the Governor said:
81 desire especially to call your at
tention to the fact that 1t now seems
land can obtain one of the national
camp sites, and that at this site will
be trained some $4,000 or more of our
soldiers, and that perhaps some $24,-
OOO, 900 will be there expended annual
ly. 1t seems to me highly desirable
from every standpoint for the State to
secure this encampment, but to do SO
the State will have to clean up some
1000 acres of woodland at the States
expense. Considering what other
states have done, Snd what others are
now offering for this location, l sub
init that this expense may well be I'm
dertaken by the State. A bill provid-
ing therefor will be submitted to your
body, and l earnestly urge it's enact
ment.
BILLS carrying all these suggestions
into law have been drawn by the At
at the request of the
Preparedness and Survey Commission.
and they have unanimously given
these bills their hearty Endorsement.
"To meet these demands and to
carry the laws suggested it will be
necessary for the State to raise
Exactly how much will be
needed no one can tell. Our neces-
stiles change almost with the day. We,
therefore, have advised that the money
to be raised should be limited to ST.
OOO, 900 to be raised by bond issue, but
to be issued only as the necessity de-
mands.
War Loan Commission.
"a law will be submitted to you pro-
viding for state council of defense
to be appointed by the Governor to
serve without pay, and that an
executive committee Of five appointed
by them, together with the Comptrol-
Ter and Treasurer, with the approval
If the Governor, should pass upon the
of this war loan. There
nave been no paid Offices created in
he expenditure of this money, and
among these bills there can be no sus-
oicion even of any partisan legislation
,r partisan discussion. In the hour
If our country's need all partisanship
,r political divisions should disappear
md the good of the State and nation
,e the only consideration in the dis