Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-02-28

public safety. which was flied with the
Governor and Council Wednesday. gives
a resume OF the work which has been
done by the committee of 100 since il was
appointed by Governor Milliken last April
Hon. Harold NJ Sewall OF Bath. who was
appointed chairman of the committee BY
Governor Milliken still retains that posi-
ton, while the present executive secre-
tary is Halbert P. Gardner Of Portland.
After reciting what the committee has
dcne, the report says in conclusion:
The Maine committee on public safe
" is now an integral part of the councils
Of defense and committees on safety es-
tahlished throughout the United States
These are Of VARYING influence and i'm
portance. Some issue weekly bulletins
of their own and federal war activities
are equipped with large Office staff anc
generous financial backing. The Mas
sac husetts committee, the first to organ
ize, is probably the best representative OF
its class. Although appointed as ours
and not created by act of the leg slature
it., position has been made the more m
fiuential by the fact that among other
extraordinary war powers granted TO the
Governor by the legislature, is the power
TO direct and determine the settlement,
of disputes arising from Industrial con
ditionS growing out OF the war, and this
power the Governor has delegated TO the
/ executive secretary of the committee
Moreover. in Massachusetts both the foo.
anG fuel administrations are vested II
the executive officers OF that committee
The position of our committee I nee
not remind you, is very different-its ex
peEditures from the first have been very
iniinitesimal compared to that of other
sta ties, and small whether considered
relatively or absolutely, and its work lat
torly confined to carrying out the sug
geStions of the State Councils Section Al
| Washington.
This committee in all its branches me-
/ fully the grave emergencies thrust upo,
our state al the outbreak of the war
which called us into existence Our yea
I fot service was heightened and renewed
by the consciousness that it was rea
service we were called. upon to perform,
and that we filled a place no other bod,
could. There has been no friction, eithe
between our committees or with tn,
public. Without legal authority, witt
duties necessarily vague and underlined
and which could not be Anticipated. thi
speaks well for US and for the patriotic
operation of those we have tried t,
serve.
In the later months, our committees
rave not been SO active or their service
81 CONSPICUOUS. The federal authorize
are now able to cope with the situation
within their province in our state with
cut our assistance. But undoubtedly ~
largest factor which has steadily tende,
TO restrain our activities and proportion
atclH to lessen the part we PLAYED in IN
early part of the war has been tho crea
ton of new committees to take over wor
which otherwise would have been with
our province, and which organizations
most OF them created at WASHINGTON
nave established new committee
throughout the State side bv side vii
our own. But we are all dedicated 10
common cause, and our only interest /
that that cause be served, whatever III
agency.
And in her service 10 that cause
Maine has measured up to her fun statu
among the states. Never before With
the memory Of the living. have the tie
which should bind our peoples been S
strengthened by common endeavor am
common sacrifice. And at the front O
this endeavor and sacrifice have been
where we should expect to find them. tn
women of our State.