The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1917-08-23
46 STATES RALLY
THE!R RESOURCES
T0DEFEND NATION
All but Two LegisIate for 0rgani.
cation of Wealth and
Man Power.
DONE ON NoNpARTIsAN BASIS

OOlvS Wv UvUuvt M uOHuv OHOUO
Governors Center Efforts on Harvest.
Ing Of Crops After Striving for Boun.
tifuI Yields-Women Give Aid
Soon All Will Be Helping.
Observation-Disclosures from states to
the council Of national defense regard
ing the organization of their resources
in accordance with the suggestion by
the secretary of war show there has
been ready response and that there is
nationwide spirit for hearty CO.
operation between the state authorities
and the federal government.
The work that IS being carried for
ward is on a basis that is distinctly
nonpartisan. Every American. regard
less of political ideals and sectional
feeling, is working toward one end
to give the government complete back
ing that he knows is essential.
IS States Aid by Legislation.
Every phase of effort to coordinate
the resources of the nation is being
furthcrrl. Forty-siX states have passed
legislation appointing bodies for SUPER
vlsing the work. The other two have
! placed it in the hands of the governors.
Who are cXrrting their efforts toward
giving individual support to the federal
government Committees have been
formed in all states to devote particu-
lar attention to special duties.
-Four states - Colorado, MaSSachu-
sets. New Jersey and WiscOnsin--have
made plans for the harvesting this fall
of all crops. The council Of defense
in Colorado has submitted to business
houses in the smaller towns a request
that they remain closed during harvest
time till y. m.. thus allowing their
employees opportunity to work during
the day in the harvest fields. The
other three states are perfccting plans
for the utilization of factory labOrerS
on farms. In Massachusetts there has
been devised plan that is considered
! exceedingly valuable. 1t is for sur
vey by the employers of large numbers
| IF men to find those who have had ex-
perience in farming. Such men will he
encouraged to return to farm work.
The employers in many instances are
offering to make up the difference in
wages.
Census Taken In Most States.
The organization Of the nation for
war purposes necessitates the listing
Of the man power before anything else
has been decided. and work on that
line is being conducted with COM
pleteness that is gratifying to federal
officials. Governors in most of the
states have not been content with the
mere military enrolment Of men be-
tween the ages Of twenty-one and
thirty that Is required by federal stat
ute. In addition, they have taken a
census within their states and are re-
cording the resources Of every indi-
vidual. whether male or female. who
may do his or her bit" for the welfare
Of the nation In war time.
New York proved her claim to the
title Of the Empire state by statistics
gathered In her state military census.
Other states that are completing
their records Of man power are Con-
necticut, Maryland. Vermont and West
Virginia. The information being gath
cred will be of great value, 1t is held,
particularly If events shape themselves
with startling rapidity - something
which must be looked for. it is con-
tended, in war times. Other states,
Massachusetts and Rhode Island in
cluded, have laid particular stress
upon the enrolling of men of engineer
ing ability, classifying them in such
manner that on short notice they can
be summoned to duty.
Women Give Their Aid.
The work being accomplished by
women is particularly noticeable in
Illinois and Wisconsin,. The advisory
committees of wOmen's organizations
of the state council Of defense in both
states have prepared lists of the prin-
cipal women's state patriotic societies
and assigned to each q definite field
Of activity. They have also used the
statutory power of the state council to
direct all local organizations to CO.
operate with these societies. Florida
is also doing excellent work along
these lines. Committees Of men and
women on farming and fruit raising
in that state are being formed and in
tensive cultivation Of the farms is be-
ing encouraged.
Many of tho states in taking up the
work of organization for war purposes
and preparing for relief work have
found 1t necessary to consider the reg.
ulating of all who solicit contributions
At present there is agitation in many
states for the passing of acts of legis'
lature which will give the council OF
defense the power Of supervision OF
those who appeal for funds.
Systems of local defense and pre-
paredness for relief work; which mean
the release for the fighting line OF