Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-10

DO responsive TO tho sound judgment
OF patriotic Nirginians.
In tho very early stages OF national
preparedness. the Importance of hav-
ing central body TO cooperate with
national agencies became evident In
many of the states tho Legislative
body was in session. and IN these States
legislation was Immediately enacted
creating central bodies representative
of the State for corporation with ma
tional agencies of like character Re-
alizinE the imperative needs OF the
state in this direction. IL became nee
cssary for me to decide tho question
whether to supply these needs By cs-
ccutiye authority at moderate expense
or TO call the General Assembly in ex-
traordinary session at an expense
greatly in excess of that necessary to
accomplish the desired ends. Finding
the sentiment OF the State as ascer-
tanned by inquiry and as reflected in
the press. favorable TO the use Of cr
ecutive authority as against an extra
session of the legislature. thus con-
iirminS my own judgment constituted
by appointment number Of councils
corresponding TO those which had been
called forth in other States a. thr
suggestion of the national authorities
IMPORTANT WORK OF
COUNCIL OF DEFENSE
=
Tense, which took over and exercised
large responsibilities not ONLY v.i.b,,
the state. but certain highlv ncccs
sary functions in conjunction with the
Council OF National Defense. This
council. composed of leading citizens
possessing large experience in various
INES rendered important and valuahIa
service with patriotic zeal ana 60
spicuous ability.
ror certain specific duties or iunort :
ance appointed two affiliated bodioe
one Known as the agricultural council
OF safety and the other as the indus
trial council of safety. The arrIc,,l-
.urai council. composed mainly OF Off
Gals already in State service. has dono
splendid work in bringing virginia y
Inc with her sister States in a realiz,
ZION OF the Importance OF increased
agricultural production, and in arouy
ing and educating the people to tho NO
ccssities Of the hour. The Industrial
council OF safety has rendered a no
Iess important service in handling witt!
wisdom and discretion many p-oblemr
OF labor supply. which were vitality i'm
] poTtant at time when so much de
pended on the products Of mine shon
and field, both for our own uses nd
the uses OF our allies
subsidiary councils were called into
being by the State council as instru-
I 80 ~oii ii!S OUT certain specific
features OF the national program.
A member of the faculty OF tho vi-.
ginia Military institute rendered val.
liable and highly efficient service ne
secretary OF the State Council Of De.
tense without compensation.
To each and all OF these councils. and
to all members and officials thereof
men and women. is due the thanks ~
the Commonwealth and OF the nation
Necessary expenses were incurred h,
these councils. but no salaries were
paid the members. In the emergency
authorized the payment OF these OK.
peHses. which. UP to October l. 1917
as shown by the report of the Audito,
or Public Accounts. reached the tota
OF s5.so3.30. have also authorized ~,
payment or expenses accruing since Oc.
tober l OF inconsderable amount
OTHER STATES HAVE
! EXTENDED MILLIONS
Against these figures il is intcrcstinc
! to note that each State whose lee;s.
I lature has been in session since the
i declaring of war against Germany has
| constituted councils OF like character
, with appropriations ranging in some
cases up TO 100000 The average in
Eastern States is sl,oo0.oOo call at.
tention OF your honorable body to the
report OF the State council which sets
+; out the activities and accomplishment
of these several bodies.
! recommend the creation by statute
! Of Virginia Council of Defense, with
/! an adequate appropriation, 10 be com
| posed in part OF members ey-ofIicio
and in part of private citizens APP