Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-07-26
NEED OF SPECIAL SESSION
PUT BEFORE GOVERNOR AND
COUNCIL MEETING THURSDAY

Hon Harold Nj Sewaii Of Bath, the.
chairman of the Maine Committee on
Public Safety, appeared before the
Governor and Council Thursday at
ternoon in favor of the calling of a
special session of the Legislature to
enact a law which would compel
males between the ages of IS and so
years to be engaged in some useful
business. profession or employment.
Chairman SeWall addresses the Gov
ernor and Council rs follows:
Impressed by the immediate recess
sity of the passage by our Legisla
ture Of a Compulsory Work Law SIM
liar to that of other states, after con-
sultation with you, the committee on
public safety sent out on July the
following letter to the members of
the 18th Legislature:
The time mas come in this coun
try when every able-bodied man must
fight to win this war, or work for the
public welfare in some useful bust
ness, profession or employment.
The Legislatures of Massachusetts
and New York have empowered their
governors to proclaim this duty upon
all able bodied males between the
ages Of IS and 80 years. and procla-
nations TO this effect have just been
issued by the respective governors
of these states.
Information before this committee
proves that Maine needs such law
and needs it now.
The prosecution Of the war adj
mits no delay.
THE committee, therefore, wishes
to know from You, and at your earl
lest convenience. whether as mem
Der of the 18th Legislature you would
respond to call from the Governor,
converting it in extraordinary session
for the purpose OF enacting this leg
islation, and to do SO at your own
expense, as patriotic service to your
State and country
Herewith we have the honor to
submit the replies thus far received.
The replies number ISL, ISL are un-
eouivocalIy favorable; 70 also favor
the law, but feel that expense, should
I. eaualized for members from dis
lance. Three others, while not oppoS-
ed TO the law, express the same feel
ing regarding expenses. IErae arc
inclined to doubt the advisability OF
a session in advance of the regular
session and five are opposed; one has
resigned, one has left the State, one
is employee. outside the State, one re-
serves the right to decide his vote at
ter hearing the evidence and three
have died.
A careful perusal cs these letters
shows on the most conservative bas-
is las members who will vote for the
proposed law.
In any enumeration Of those who
should be counted in favor Of the pro-
posed law it should be ioted to the
credit Of the 18th legislature that two
are in the navy. three in the army and
two others in France on other service.
Five of these. through their own let
ters or those of their families, endorse
this law. Their voices speak to US. and
out of the fullness of their sacrifices
give us heed.
Generous has been the response in
numbers. 1t is the splendid spirit OF
these letters to which we wish partic-
ularly to invite your attention. 1t re-
fleets as it should the spirit of the peo-
pie of our State, who ask this law as a
matter of patriotic necessity. If the
reasons set forth in our circular letter
addressed to the members of the iegisla-
ture appealed 10 them so strongly. re-
cent developments in tpis State have