Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-03-12

| the request Of authority, we need to have
| a egally-organized State Council OF De-
fence to work with and carry on the work
| of the National Council at Washington.
| This Council will represent the various
| interests and resources of the State,
serving without compensation. IL will be
| subdivided into committees to have
| charge of the several activities. A central
, organization will be established, which
/ will have to do with the correspondence
and relationship with the national
government.
Education, publicity, production and
| conservation are the main points OF con-
| sideration II means that we, working
| with the National Council, are to develop
| to the maximum all the resources of the
! State. which on careful thought is a task
1 of no mean proportion.
MUCH HAS BEEN DONE.
"This presents casual glance at the
| work needed. A bill will be presented at
which time details of the plan will be
given for your consideration and decision.
''Do not think, however, for one mo-
ment, that | am unappreclative of the
work that has been done. Last spring at
public meeting called at Dover. a com
mittee resulted that did remarkable work
In speeding up and increasing paintings;
n larger acreage was under cultivation
than was ever known. Later com
mittee was appointed to act as n defence
council which had done much in arousing
interest in all of the war activities
''The Women's Conservation Commit
tee and Defence Council have done good
work, but seriously handicapped by lack
of funds to take advantage OF the oppor-
10, h. "A,
pected Only casual inquiry would lead
you to conclude that this session was n
practical reply to persistent criticism and
demand with which | was subjected and
which, by lack of legal authority have
been unable to comply. More volunteer
work, believe, has been done in Delaware
than In any section of the country Nolun-
tary subscriptions, of which am not per
mitted to speak, have been used
''In all, our citizens have done their
personal part in so far rs they could. As
State, we must do equally SO.
"A word, il you please, concerning the
other point of legislation, which is pre-
sented for your consideration that of
the Constitutional amendment
'The question of local option. State and
nationwide prohibition, is ono that has
commanded and received the attention |
OF this State for the past 10 or IL wears !
Every member Of every General Assembly |
during that time has faced and been |
elected with that as the prominent, If not |
the dominant, issue You are well &C |
qiaintcd with the arguments and repre- |
sent well your constituents. You are /
elected with that problem facing YOU.
"To you come the responsibility and /
opportunity of deciding this question and /
thus remove forever our campaigns and |
election discussion which At least does not /
clarity other issues before YOU
For presenting 1t to YOU is not the /
reason for calling this session. But firmly |
IN the belief that tins question should no /
longer dominate All other discussions of /
State interest, ! assume the responsibility. /
A nation, a State. a community. very
likely a home, watches your action The |
responsibility now is yours.
Another word and am through. Con-
vinced that it is right TO do 50, | assume
gladly the whole responsibility for calling |
you together. You now in turn, take that
responsibility for Your action, based on
your best judgment. But there is another
responsibility that is solely yours. Ncccs-
sary always. but now absolutely inn
perative, that the session he conducted /
with an eve always on the expenses. |
that YOU would like to propose. many |
amendments or corrections TO laws now
on the statutes that you would like To soc |
made. ! take no exception 10 this have |
many such myself But this in very truth |
war session We should rather bear those |
slight errors or InConyenIenres than open /
the door TO general legislation, unless 1t |
has definite and specific bearing on the |
war Introduction OF one bill gives every !
member like privilege. To my mind, we |
can i'll afford 10 appropriate either tune !
or money to any other than absolute
essentials urge most strongly that Won |
make some sacrifice for those larger things !,
which today dominate al other questions |
Far better consideration and cooperation !
will be gwen TO your proposals at a regular |
session Your record at the last session |
was such as To attract the most favorable |
attention. on placed on record the most |
practical legislation than any session IN |