The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-12-21
After The War Problems Dis
cussed By Members of
Cabinet. \
SECRETARIES BAKER AND
HOUSTON MAKE TALKS
Say There is Important Work
to Be Done By State Govern
ments in the Reconstruction
Period.

Period.
Annapolis, Md, Dec 16.-Thirty-
six State governors Or governors-elect
IN annual conference here today were
told by Secretary Baker that war ha d
proved the indispensability of strong
state governments in peace Us we'll
AS war times as the Principal as,c:?c:;,;
Tor mobiiizing and Gcnlobilizins, ar
MES. finding work FOR returning SOL
diers ard developing better methods of
physical training for young men. l.t
the same time he pleaded that State
authorities give cities more freedom 10
| work out their individual local prop
lens.
Early disbandment of the draft
boards and State branches Of the
Council Of National Defense as fedcr-
al agencies was advocated by the
secretary who urged, however, that
both remain in existence informally to
aid local authorities in solving prob
iems Of the readjustment period.
Secretary Houston, addressing the
governors, suggested that State gov
>rnments ascertain immediately what
farming lands might be available for
use Of returning soldiers He eau
toned, however, against throwing the
men indiscriminately into agricultural
pursuits without previous experience
or adequate training.
Reconstruction problems, parti2u-
.arly those relating. to labor, educa-
ton and public lands will be discuss-
ed by the governors at their mee:-
ings tomorrow and at the closing ses
sion Wednesday they will hear ad-
dresses by Secretaries Daniels and
Lane. Tonight they attended a re-
ception at the home of Governor Har-
ringtcn Of Maryland.
Secretary Eaker said his principa:
purpose in addressing the State execu-
tives was to express thanks for the
remarkable manner in which State
and local authorities through defense
councils, draft boards and other off,
Gals had carried out the federal gov
ernment's wishes throughout the war
and had initiated measures Of their
own
OF democracy to carry out greet
:horities. is cne Of the greatest les
sons Of the war" the secretary sa.id
Instead iof adding to the aggregate
of centralized power this war has
strengthened State governments and
nadethem more indispensable than
ever in our scheme Of government.
The war secretary emphasized that
one Of the principal functions OF
States hereafter must be Ito rescue
young men ir the situation shown
during the recent mobilization when
one-third of the drafted men We're
found to be physically undevelopcd o.
defective"
eve must realize" he said. that
physical education is as necessary to
the development Of our youth as men
tai training. 4 sound mind must de-
pend upon a sound body and we
should organize an educational svs-
tern providing for physical develop
ment"
Draft boards will be dispanded at
the end of this month, and State
branches Of the Council of National
Defense will cease functioninS as 1ei-
eral agencies as soon as possible, MI
Baker said. He urged that both CO.
operate with employment agencies in
finding work for soldiers.
Secretary houston urged States to
establish strong centralized agric"l-
turaI departments to define more
clearly the function Of the land grant
colleges, to continue promotion OF az
ricultural extension work, build better
roads and promote campaigns IN rui2'
districts against preventable diseases.
Considering the uncertainty OF the
future of the worlds food production'
Secretary Houston said:
Congress should make available
revolving fund of not less than s6oo,-
100000 to eifcctuate the government
guarantee Of 1920 a busnel for wheat,
for we can net tell at this time Wh3l
the real market price will be a Je;a
from now. IT may be as much as 81 ~
and it may be as much as 80 cents
less than the guaranteed price
Those in attendance at the confer
cnce are Governors Hunt Of Arizona,
Townsend of Delaware. Dorsey OF
Georgia. Alexander of Idaho, Cool
rich OF Indiana, Hardin Of Iowa. zap
per Of Kansas. Pleasant OF LOUISIANA.
Milliker Of Maine. Harrington O.
Maryland Sleeper Of Michigan, Burn
4uist of Minnesota. Gardner Of Mis-
souri,. Stewart of Montana, Boyle OF
Nevada Edge OF New Jersey, i4ili''-
sey Of New Mexico. Beckett Of North
Carolina Frazier cf North Dakota
Williams Of oklahoma, BrumbauSa
CT Pennsylvania. Beeckman Of Rhod"
Island. Manning of South Caroll,a,
Bambergei Of Utah. Davis Of Virgin
ia. Lister Of Washington, CornwcI or
West Virginia and Houx Of WyomlnS
and Covernors;-e!cct Campbell of MI
zora, Davis OF Idaho, Allen OF Kan
sas, Coolidge OF Massachusetts, Nc !
Elvia of Nebraska. LarraZolo OF New
Mexico. Robertson OF oklahoma
Ccopcr OF South Carolina. Clement OF
Ncrmont, Thomas Riggs, Jr., Of Alas