Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-12-17
Secretary Houston Warns
Against Throwing Men Who
Have Had No Agricultural
Experience Upon Farms.
BAKER SAYS DRAFT
BOARDS TO DlSBAND
War Secretary Declares That
One Duty Of States viii Be
the Physical Education Of
Youth of the Land.
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lsf MORNING. JouPNAL s-EciAL LEASED wtpEI
Annapolis Md, Dec. 15,--Thirty-
SIX state governors or governors elect
IN annual conference here today We're
told by Secretary Baker that the war
had proven the indispensabiity of
strong state governments in peace as
well as war times as the principal
agencies for mobilizing and demobil-
izing armies, finding work for return
ing soldiers and developing better
methods of physical training for
young men. At the same time he
pleaded that state authorities give
cities more freedom to work out their
individual local problems
Early disbandment OF the draft
boards and state branches of the
council of national defense as federal
agencies was advocated by the secre-
tary, who urged. however, that both
remain in existence informally to aid
local authorities in solving problems
of the adjustment period.
Among those in attendance are
Governors Hunt of Arizona Capper,
liams, Oklahoma, and Governors-eiect
Campbell, Arizona Allen of Is Hsas:
Larrazolo, New Mexico; Rob rtson,
oklahoma
secretary Houston, addressing the
governors today. suggested that state
governments ascertain Immediately
what farming lands E.ight be avail
ailAs eoy. "a as q 4se II INA Selaisze.
He cautioned however, against
throwing men indscriminately into
agricultural pursuits without previous
experience or adequate training
To Discuss Reconstruction.
Reconstruction problems, particu-
larly those relating to labor, educa-
ton and public lands will be discus
sed by the governors at their meet
ingS tomorrow ard at the closing ses-
sionE Wednesday they will hear ad-
dresses by Secretary Daniels and Sec
retary Lane. Tonight they attended
a reception at the home of Governor
Harrington of Maryland
Secretary Baker said his principal
purpose in addressing the state execu-
tives was to express thanks for the
remarkable manner in which state
and local authorities, through de-
fense councils, draft boards and other
officials had carried out the federal
governments wishes throughout the
war and had initiated measures of
their own.
This demonstration of the democ-
racy to carry out great undertakings,
using its constituted authorities, is
one of the greatest lessons of the
war" the secretary said. Instead of
adding to the aggregate of central
lied power this war has strengthened
state governments and made them
more Indispensable than ever in our
scheme of government"
Physical Education Necessary.
The war secretary emphasized that
one of the principal functions of
states hereafter must be to rescue
young men from the situation shown
during the recent mobilization when
one-third of the drafted men were
found to be physically undeveloped
or defective"
I'VE must realize" he said, that
physical education is as necessary to
the development of our youths as
mental training A sound mind must
depend upon sound body and we
should organize educational systems
providing for physical development.
Draft boards will be disbanded at
the end of this month and state
branches of the councii of national
defense will cease functioning as fed
erai agencies as soon as possible, Mr..
Baker said. He urged that both CO.
operate with employment agencies in
finding work for soldiers.
Secretary Houston urged states to
establish strong centralized agricul-
tural departments, to define more
clearly the function Of land grant col
leges TO continue promotion of agri-
cultural extension work. build better
roads and promote campaigns in rural
districts against preventable diseases.
Considering the uncertainty of the
future of the worlds food production,
Secretary Houston said:
Congress should make available. a
revolving fund of not less than $780,
600, 600 to effectuate the government
guarantee of 1920 a bushel for wheat
for we cannot tell at this time what
the real market price will be a year
from now. 1t was be as much as
$220 and 1t may be as much as so
cents less than the guaranteed price