Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-12
COUNCIL. OF DEFENSE
HAS IMMENSE POWERS
Executive Secretary Kelley Outlines
Its Powers and
Duties.
WILL USE ALL STATES FORCES
Health and Police Forces OF State
and OF Communities TO BE En-
largcd for Protection of Wcarcrs
g OF Uniforms.

i
OF Uniforms.
The immense resources OF the state
of Virginia the splendidly organized
machinery OF tho state departments
and agencies, the power OF county and
city OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES public iunc-
ton within the state, is part OF the
Virginia Courcil OF Defense. That IL
the view taken by the Governor OF
Virginia; and the law creating the
council certainly warrants the view
AT all events. {. Il. Kelley, the eAecu-
tive secretary. is proceeding with that
thought in ind, and IS beginning
plan of campaign which VIII weld
together ali public activities to the
end that Virginia shall play It's usual
historic part in war time.
III is hardly possible to emphasize
unduly the opportunities of the Viz
ginia council" said MIR. Kelley. What
It's accomplishments may be. the future
must tell: hut what 1t may accom-
plish is .limitcd only by the brains put
into tho work and tho zeal applied
to il, Not alone i every member OF
the council. each leading state Of
tccr. directed by statute t" use all the
means given to him Tor his office 30
aid II necessary the councils work,
but The Governor of Virginia has the
inccn;cstib!c right TO .ommandccr the
efficiency OF every public agency IN
the state TO help the council do Us
pare toward winning the war.
"This iuca.culablc power would be
umimprcssivc if there were not direct
ing il Il mind fully cuguizaut OF It's
strength and vitality determined 10 .sc
Il chicacicusly. but those who NOV
Governor Davis are well aware that
lie does not make pledges lightly or
consider them az g"ssamers 10 please
tho winds II any pronuncemcnt o.
his public career might be termed
cpochally dramatic. il was AT the close
OF summary at the law enforcement
conference at the Capitol Thursday,
when he said that those interested in
I. the work would have the aid OF Nir-
Sinia's Council of Defense. which
would overlook no opportunity in help
ing to win the war and no agency OF
The state in realizing that opportunity.
WAR Is MATTER OF
MEN AND MATERIAL
This war is like all others, u mat
ter OF mcn and material. one is per-
haps just rs important as the other.
but wars arc generally considered in
the light OF man power, 80 We Will
frs; consider the men. The Adjutant-
General OF Nireini:, is chairman of the
council. All purely military matters
of the state are within his purvjcw
negatives are normally important. but
they are greatly enhanced in war dag
ana tremendously increased by the
backing of tho council which can sup
plement his forces to any extent that
may he deemed cNpcd!ent Ina the EFFORT
20 win the War. Tho health OF the
soldiers ana sailors is matter Of
transccndcnt interest. the prevention
Of communicable diseases among the
enlisted men This IS Il subject well
within the power OF the council, as
was stated by the Governor al the law
enforcement conference when he
promised Tho Visiting dignitaries of
the army and navy as we'll as the dis
t'nguished social WORKERS who were
In attendance that The entire esources
of the State health and police powers
would be moUili2ed unde: The council
10 help conserve the physica! and moral
wc!!-be:ng O! the nution's hghtine
men.
DO YOU appreciate what that mo-
hiiizat!on means" inquired Mr. kelley
and l4c answered his own question. 1t
means that the Health Department Of
the state, its entire force and resources.
are 10 be utilized in this cause. one
: visible result already Of that promise
IS that Tor tho iirs: time public
health officer has been detailed by VIM
ginia TO look AFTER the social evil. 1t
-,isans thai every local health board
agd commissioners .u tho cities and
:ountics OF Virginia viii be specifically
charged with M duty Of preserving
HE enlisted mcuA. ON i.Hc menace OF
prostitution. - s--tf, officer Ia tho
state can cNaIc this d-jy .ut 'puu aim
~ the council D"cuu-. the ltw Great
nag the couA il gives 10 1t through
executive wsrran' the right to COM
niaudccy All agencies Inat can ala its
purposes.