American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-12-20
NUMBER 13
SECRETARY BAKER
TALKS TO GOVERNORS
ihirty-slx State Heads Hear OF Prob
lens Vow Before Nation. at Annap-
Oils, Md.-Bamberger Is to Invite
Next Conference to Salt Lake.


oils, Md.-Bamberger Is TO Invite
Next conference TO Salt Lake.
Thirty-six govhrnors or oovernors-
elect, in annual conference at AMMAN
oils, Md, were told by Secretary Ba-
ker that the war had proven the in
dispensability of strong state govern
ments in peace as well as war times
as the principal agencies for mobiliz-
ing and demObilizing armies. finding
work for returning soldiers and de-
veloping better methods of pbvsicaT
training for young men. At the same
time he pleaded that the state author
itles give cities more freedom 10 work
out their individual local problems.
Early disbandment of the draft
boards and state branches of the
council OF national defense as federal
agencies was advocated by the secre-
tary. who urged. however. that both
remain in existence informally to aid
local authorities in solving problems
OF the readjustment period.
Those in attendance were Govern
ors Hunt Of Arizona; Townsend, Del
aware; Dorsey. Georgia. Alexander,
Idaho; Goodrich, Indiana; Harding.
Iowa; Capper, Kansas; Pleasant.
Louisiana; Millikene. Maine: Har-
rington. Maryland: Sleeper. Mich
| igan; Burnquist. Minnesota: Gardner.
Missouri; Stewart. Montana: Boyle.
Nevada, Edge. New Jersey: Lindsey.
New Mexico; Beckett. North Caro-
lima: Frazier. North Dakota: Will
liams Oklahoma. Brumbaugh. Penn
sylvania Beekman. Rhode Island.
Manning South Carolina: Bamber-
ger. Utah: Davis. Virginia: Lister
Washington; Cornwell. West Virgin
ia: Houx, Wyoming: and Governors
elect Campbell. Arizona: Davis. ID
aho: Allen. Kansas; Coolidge, Mas
sachusetts: McElvie. Nebraska: Lar
razolo New Mexico: Robertson, Ok
lahoma: Cooper South Carolina
Clement, Vermont. and Riggs. Jr.. OF
Alaska.
Governor Bamberger win invite the
conference to meet next year at Salt
Lake City.
Secretary Houston, addressing the
governors, suggested that state gov
ernments ascertain Immediately what
farming lands might be available for
use of returning soldiers. He eau
toned. however against throwing
luulSGIlkllndltlg
cultural pursuits without previous ex-
perience or adequate training.
Reconstruction problems. particu-
lsrly those relating to labor. educa-
tion and public lands. will be dis
cussed by the governors and at the
closing addresses they will hear ad-
dresses by Secretaries Daniels ana
Lane.
Secretary Baker said his principal
purpose in addressing the state exec
utives was to express thanks for the
remarkable manner in which state
and local authorities. through defense
councils. draft boards and other Of
fieials had carried out the federal gov
ernment's wishes throughout the war
and had initiated measures OF their
own.
This demonstration of the ability
of 2 democracy to carry out great un-
dertakings. using its constituted au-
thorities. is one Of the greatest les
sons of the war" the secretary said.
Instead of adding 10 the aggregate of
centralized power this war has
strengthened state governments and
made them more indispensable than
ever in our scheme of government. -
Inc war SfETtldIN tIlUudclEtu IDdI
one of the principal functions of
states hereafter must be "to rescue
Young men from the situation shown
during the recent mobilization when
one-third of the drafted men were
found TO be physically undeveloped or
defective"
I'VE must realize" he said that
physical education is as necessary to
the development of our youths as
mental training sound mind must
deDend upon n sound body and we
should organize educational systems
providing for physical DEVELOPMENT
Draft boards will he disbanded ar
the end Of this month and state
branches OF the council of national
defense will cease functioning as fed
eral agencies as soon as possible. Mr.
Baker said He urged that both CO.
Onerate with emplOvnent agencies in
finding work for soldiers.
Secretary Houston urged states 10
establish strong centralized agricul-
tural deDartments. ~ define more
clearly the function Of land grant col
leges. TO continue nrOnlOti0n of asri-
cultural extension work. build better
roads and promote campaigns in rnr-
al districts against preventabie dis
eases
Considering the uncertainty Of The
future Of fhe worlds food production
Secretary Houston said:
Congress should make available e
revolving fund of not less than $500
GOO 600 To effectrate the government
guarantee Of $3.50 bushel for whna+.
for we cannot tell at this time what
/ the real market price viii be vear
from now II NAV be as much ns
50 20 and it nav he rs much as 80
cents less than the guaranteed price"