Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-03
Governor Dorsey Delivers Inaugural Speech

tive authority; and thus the governor,
hv reason of personal contact and eX
perience gained during the six months
now intervening, would be in n better
position TO counsel your body as to the
state of the commonwealth and neces-
sarv legislation than is the case under
the present plan where no opportunity
for official investigation is afforded.
The incoming governor also would
assume his duties at the beginning of 4
fiscal year, instead of in it's midst, as
is now the case.
If the change of date of Inauguration,
as suggested, is deemed advisable, no
embarra sSment whatever should result
from the present term being shortened
for a period of six months, from JAM
uary to June, inclusive, as l am per-
fectly willing in the interest Of what L
believe to be an important reform, to
consent to the reduction of my term to
that extent.
RECohDIENDs CREATION OF
STATE DEFENSE COUNCIL.
Our national congress, in the interest
Of mobilizing the resources of the ma
ton, has created a council of national
defense. At the suggestion of that coun-
Gil and to assist the nation in prepare
ing waged, and to enable Georgia better
to prepare for its part In the national
crisis, l recommend that a state council
Of defense be created, to pilot, promote
and supervise the official and unofficial
war activities of our state" Many COM
pick and intricate questions may arise,
the proper solution Of which will be
difficult, and the governor should have
the benfit of the wisdom, experience and
a6X viz Of CIINIo M oh
a commission of that character. L con-
cur in the request, therefore, that such
a council be created and given a legal
status.
l believe that the utmost use should
always be made of existing state agen-
cies and machinery. and L suggest that
the governor, the adjutant general, state
superintendent of schools commissioner
Of commerce and labor, commissioner of
agriculture and seven other citizens
representing the agricultural labor,
manufacturing, mercantile, transporta-
ton and other interests of the state be
appointed to membership thereon. The
interest manifested by the women of
our state in war preparations, and the
Importance of the work which has been
entrusted to them by our national coun-
Gil. makes it advisable that by express
terms they shold be made eligible for
Many of our sister states have made
large appropriations, ranging from
$50, 900 to S1,000,000, and have gone very
Systematically and thoroughly into the
work of taking a census of their re-
sources available to the national gov
eminent in this emergency, and at the
same time, promoting the interests OF
their people in seeing that the govern
ment is informed as to what they have
n M 70 4 DC
tracted, as those best informed seem
to think 1t will be, and it is necessary
that. "a mobilization of all the material
resources of the nation be had to supply
material for the war and serve the needs
of the nation in the most abundant eco
nomical and efficient way possible" as
our national executive has stated, then
no man, woman, child or state of this
republic should fail in any duty. The
Empire State of the South at once
should organize our farmers, our indus
trialists and our laborers, should co-or-
dinate the work of all of our agencies
and should cooperate with the nation,
TO the end that this horrible cataclysm
may be terminated as speedily as pos
sible
The American people, in this hour of
national anxiety, may confidently reckon
and rely upon Georgia's sympathy Geor-
Sld , support ana GeOrSla'S Willingness
to dedicate her resources, the flower of
her manhood and the honor of the state
TO the cause of making, as our presi-
dent has expressed it, "the world safe
for Democracy"
And our great Democratic president,
upon whom unusual and difficult prob
lens bear heavily at this hour, deserves
from Georgia's representatives in her
general assembly endorsement for his
patriotic devotion to those principles
symbolized by the flag of our common
county.
In conclusion, 1 earnestly recommend
that all legislation be along the line of
stmplified, responsible government;
that whatever else we may do, we al
ways definitely adhere to the purpose
TO give the people a dollars service for
every dollar of their money expended;
and l should greatly rejoice if. at the
conclusion of our official careers, our
legislative and administrative epitaph
could be expressed in these two words:
EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMY.