The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1917-08-16

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printing its guns to do battle for the
consumer while news of the passage
OF the food control bill was still fresh.
Gov. James NJ. Cox announced the
state would stand between the coal
dealer and the consumer, establishing
equitable retail prices, just as the fed
eral government will stand between
the oeprator and the public in fixing
mine prices.
At the same time the governor laid
down this broad policy, interpreted as
covering food control as well as regu-
lation of coal prices:
THE people are making every sacri-
flee to win this war. They are giving
their sons, their energies, their sub
stance to the nation. They have in
return the right to demand that the
government will give them something
back-the right to demand that they
be protected against hardship and suf-
fering from eXtortionate prices for the
necessities of life"
Two brands of munitions were ad-
vocated for the states guns at the
capitol, however. Gov. Cox made the
point that with the regulatory enact
ment of congress, the federal govern
ment has the authority to fix mine
prices Of coal, and that the states
business would be to give protection
against possible extortion by retail
dealers.
Coincdent was the issuing of a So
page printed opinion by Atty. Gen.
McGhee, holding that the Ohio gen.
eral assembly has power, with certain
restrictions, to regulate the price of
coal and of food products.
The opinion was given to H. H. Tim
by, state senator from Ashtabula
price scales, fixed by any one coal
producing state, independent of sur
rounding states and in the face of as
sured federal action, would seem i'm
practical" Gov. Cox said.
The situation thus created was re-
garded as indicating, on the one hand,
that Gov. Cox does not want a spe-
cial session of the assembly unless alb
solutely necessary, and does not con-
slider the necessity to exist at this
time. On the other hand, it indicated
that the attorney general believes the
way to price regulation is through leg
islative action.
In his opinion, Atty. Gen. McGhee
held that coal is commodity, sup
ply of which is necessary to the pub
lic health and economic welfare of the
public generally. In view of this and
the fact the United States is at war,
which is an abnormal condition, Nc
Ghee held that the legislature could
enact price-fiXing laws for coal, sub
ject to certain limitations.
To Insure Soldiers Vote Right
Gov. Cox conferred with Secretary
of State w. D. Fulton on plans for in
suring to every Ohio soldier who is
absent from home this fall, his right
to vote by mail, and to assure that the
vote of each will be counted. The
Ohio soldiers are to be given every
opportunity to vote, it is announced
by the state. Before the November
election, there will be in all probabil-
ity 100000 Ohio boys in the canton
ment at Chillicothe. The Ohio Ma
tional Guard, with $4,000 men, it is ex-
pected, will be in training at Mont
gomery, for federal service abroad.
Decide to Vote Dry.
The $50 enlisted men of Company
D, Second regiment, Van Vert, o., has
adopted resolution to vote dry,
whether they are in this country or in
France when the proposition is before
the people, so the adjutant generals
Office was informed.
Three Held as Arsonists.
Fire Marshal T. Alfred Fleming re-
ceived report of the arrest of J. B.
O'Neal and May Longnecker at Eaton
on charges of arson, growing out of
an alleged attempt to fire a residence
there. Investigators also have arrest
ed Adolph Sess at Middlefield on
charges of setting fire to the home of
Mrs. William Boyd there.
Guards in Federal Service.
The Ohio National Guard passed
from existence Aug. 5, and an Ohio
division of more than $4,000 soldiers
is placed at the sole disposal of the
United States. The draft of guards
men into the federal service became
effective midnight Aug. 4.
The state is beTeft of troops respon-
sible to state authority. The state ad-
ministration has now taken up
the question of the Ohio militia of the
future, and of home guards. Gov. Cox
has been assured by Secretary of War
Baker that Ohio will not be without
the protection of federal troops for
>me time to come, and in the mean
time steps will be taken to establish a
new state soldiery.
Fire loss in Ohio for year ending
June 30 was $8,948.3O4. the greatest
since 1913.
To FIJI Ohio's Draft Quota.
1t will require the calling and ex-
amining of between 10000 and 10O.0
of the states registered young men to
6ll Ohio's draft quota of 38,773. Ex-
.smptirns and reflections for physical
disability will remove an enormous
number from the roll of Ohioans liable
to service.
Discharges for physical unfitness
will total 33 1-3 per cent of the number
Of men examined. The number of ex-
emption claims will approach rs per
cent of the number of men found
physically fit. These are indications
at state draft headquarters.
Returns Three Warrants.
Now appears DR.. Holston Bartilson,
member of the state board of dental
examiners, to join the grand lodge of