The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1917-12-11
County
Council of Defense
CITIZENS TAKE PRELIMINARY STEPS
Will Work Under National Council to Assist In
Successful Prosecution of War

About thirty citizens, repre-
senting practically every bust
ness in the city, were present at
the meeting held Monday after
noon at the Bencwah Club for
the purpose OF taking the pre-
liminary steps toward the or
ganization of a council of de
fense in Benewah county. Judge
James II. Ailshie of Occur d.
Alene, former justice of the su-
preme court of Idaho, and mem
her OF the state council OF de
fense, was present to assist in
the organization of the council
in this county. Several ladies',
representing various organiza-
tions which are doing patriotic
work, were present at the meet
ing, which was presided over by
Or. C.. j. KinsoNing, food ad-
ministrator for this county.
Judge Ailshie made a lengthy
address, explaining the purpose
of the organization OF the state
council of defense and giving a
resume OF the reorganization Of
that body and the work which it
is accomplishing at the present
time. He also explained the
work which it is expected the
county council OF defense will
accomplish in the way Of seeking
out alien enemies and all persons
who are in any way seeking to
block the successful prosecution
of the war.
One Of the most important
duties of the county council Of
defense, as explained by Judge
Ailshie, is to coordinate all
patriotic services which have
heretofore been performed by
committees appointed for the
purpose. In other words the de-
fense council will assist in all
Liberty Loan campaigns, Red
Cross work, food conservation
campaigns and similar patriotic
services asked by the govern
ment from time to time, the idea
being to avoid duplication of
services to the end that the most
results may be accomplished in
each line OF work.
Judge Ailshie cited a number
OF cases wherein the state cOun-
ell of defense had taken actor
in regard to persons suspected OF
being disloyal or making disloyal
Iutterances and suggested meth
DDS Of dealing with persons OF
this kind by the county council
He asked that all loyal citizens
be on the alert to report to the
council any utterances heard OF
attempts OF any kind made in an
effort to discount the VARIOUS
patriotic works asked.
At the close Of Judge Ailshie'
address he asked for question.
from those present about any
phase Of the work Of the cOunci
which might not be thorough,
understood, and also asked fol
remarks from those in attend
ance at the meeting. Mayor J
C.. Hunt was tn first person
called upon to speak and h,
pledged the help Of all thos,
present and all good citizens il
the work to be undertaken b,
the council.
Mrs. C. H. Gregory, chairman
for this county of the Women''
National council OF defense
made a short talk explaining tn,
work being carried on by tn.
women in the way Of registering
for special war service. Sh
stated that nearly 100 cards hal
lbeen signed so far in this city
t6 have been received from
lFernwOod and IS from Benewah
with a request from the latte
lplace for more cards. She state'
that the ladies did not seem t.
thoroughly understand the pur
lpose OF the registration and tina
some OF them had been misin
formed in regard to the servic
which would be asked Of then