Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-06-15

while engaged in our military or naval
service.
Fourteenth-I recommend certain changes
in the law entitled Crimes and Punish
ments. subtitle Destroying Property Mali
ciously, and
Fifteenth-Also certain laws as to the
contamination of waters and food.
Sixteenth also recommend the enact
ment of such laws that will give to build
ing associations the right to buy, hold or
lend upon United States bonds and bonds
of the State Of Maryland.
The Conservation Commission, after
much thought and study and consultation
with the experts Of the national govern
ment. have recommended certain laws or
changes in laws which, in their opinions.
are necessary for the conservation and
preservation of the Great crab fishing and
oyster industry of the State. Bills repre-
senting their views will be submitted to the
legislature. and | cannot too earnestly be-
speak for them your most earnest and
thoughtful consideration.
STATE COUNCIL Or DEFENSE.
Shortly after the declaration by the Con-
gress that state Of war existed between
this country and Germany appointed a
Commission on Preparedness. or what Is
called in most States a State Council Of
Defense, to advise, aid and assist me in
all efforts to prepare Maryland for proper
defense and to assist the National Coun-
Gil of Defense which had been authorized
by Congress. The National Council of De-
Tense advised the appointment of such a
commission. The legislature was not in
session and appointed this commission.
and in making their appointment consid
cred only the service which they might be
able to render. This commission. with
General Carl R. Gray as their chairman.
have done wonderful work, and some Of
them have devoted nearly all their time to
the States and country's service. The
different States have given these commits
sions legal status. Their service is en-
tirely voluntary. and now ask the legisa-
ture to pass law creating and 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.
MONEY REQUIRED.
The question of food production, the
question Of labor. the question Of proper
seed supply, have all come up for careful
consideration. 1t was suggested that the
Governor or the Board of Public Works
might indirectly borrow the money neces-
sary in rendering the aid needed, and GER
tain banks offered to advance as much as
million dollars for all necessary purposes.
But could not seriously consider the using
OF this money, however urgent the neces-
sity. for 1t would have been plain viola
ton OF law, and though | wished to avoid
running the State to all unnecessary ex-
pense. could not for one moment permit
| IA Of H.
session to persuade me to 20 beyond
the plain provisions of the law as to the
| right Of the State to borrow, so have
called your body in extraordinary session
that you may consider the needs Of the
State during the present emergency,
The FISHERY FORCE.
The commandment of the Fifth Naval dis
trict (includine Chesapeake Bay and its
tributaries) has applied to the State to
lease at nominal sum all those vessels
belonging to our State fishery force and
have assured the State that the vessels
when so leased will be permitted to re-
main in their respective districts and per-
form their ordinary duties. The cost of
operating these vessels, including wages and
supplies and necessary repairs. will be borne
by the government of the United States
| have already been taken over and | am
confident Maryland desires to accede to
every reasonable request Of the national
| government. Besides, il seems a good
business proposition. A bill carrying into
effect these views will be submitted to
you, and bespeak for it prompt considera-
ton.
| NATIONAL CAMP.
| desire especially to call your attention
to the fact that II now seems to be prac-
tically assured that Maryland 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 100000 will be there expended
annually II seems TO me highly desirable
| from every standpoint for the State to Sc
cure 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.
and what others are now offering for this
location, ! submit that this expense may
well be undertaken by the State. A bill
providing therefor will be submitted to
your body, and earnestly urge its enact
ment.
To RAISE 100000.
Bills carrying all these suggestions into
law have been drawn by the Attorney
General at the request of the Preparedness
and Survey Commission, and they have
unanimously given these bills their hearty
Endorsement. These bills will be submitted
to you. and respectfully urge that they
be given your careful and patient cOnsid-
Grafton. sincerely trust that you will
find much good in them. and that what
ever defects they may have may be RENE
died. and all worthy ones placed upon our
statute books as early as possible.
To meet these demands and TO carry out
the laws suggested 1t will be necessary for
the State to raise money. exactly how
much will be needed no one can tell Our
necessities change almost with the day.
We, therefore, have advised that the
amount Of money TO be raised should be
limited TO 81, 900. 900. to be raised by bond
issue. but to be issued only as the neces-
sity demands. The demands are numer-
Gus. Already we have gone beyond our
present resources or the money available
In guarding our bridges and the water
works OF Baltimore city, the repayment Of
which will have to come out Of the bond
issue II made. The spending Of this money
should be wisely safeguarded.
THE WAR LOAN.
A law will DO submitted to you provid-
ing for State Council of Defense to be
appointed by the Governor TO serve with
out pay, and that an executive committee
Of five appointed by them. together with
the Comptroller and Treasurer. with the
approval Of the Governor. should pass upon
the expenditure Of this war loan. Practi-
cally In all States the money appropriated |
has been spent under the direction Of the |
governor himself. board of public works
or commission appointed by the governor. |
The bill to be submitted should receive
your most thoughtful consideration. II has
been long considered and Is recommended |
by commission composed of many Of our
best citizens who have given their time
freely to the States service There have |
been no paid offices created in the expen-
diture Of this money, and among these bills |
there can be no suspicion even Of any |
DaFtiaan ledislatiOn or Dartisan discuaaiOn |