Bisbee daily review., 1918-12-17
GOVERNORS OPEN
 CONFERENCE IN OLD MARYLAND
Thirty-six Executives in Att tendance, Hear Secretary Baker Praise Their Coop eration

ANNAPOLIS, Md, Dec 16.-Thirty six state governors or governors-elect
 in annual conference here today were
 told by Secretary Baker that the wa
 had proven the indispensability ot
 strong state governments in peace, a.
 well as in war times, as the principa
 agencies for mobiliZing and demobi
 liking armies, finding work for re
 turning soldiers and developing better
 methods of physical training for youl
 yoeng men. At the same time he
 pleaded that state authorities give cities more freedom to work out theil 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 re-adjustment period.
 Among those in attendance are Gov ernor Hunt of Arizona; Capper, Kan sas; Lindsay, New Mexico; Williams, Oklahoma; and Governors-elect Camp bell, Arizona; Allen of Kansas, Lara zolo, New Mexico; Robertson, Okla homa
 Secretary Houston, addressing the governors today, suggested that state ascertain immediately what farming lands might be avail able for use of returning soldiers. He however, against throwing men indiscriminately Into agricultural pursuit without previous experience or adequate training.
 Reconstruction problems, particular ly those relating to Labor, education and public lands will be discussed by the governors at their meetings to- morrow and at the closing sessions they will hear addresses by Secretary Daniels and Secretary Lane. Tonight they attended a re- ception at the home of Governor liar rington of Maryland.
 Secretary Baker said his principal purpose in addressing the state exc cutives was to express thanks for the manner in which state and local authorities, through defense draft boards and other of ficials 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 a democracy to carry out great using its constituted is one of the greatest les sons of the war" the secretary said. Instead of adding to the aggregate of centralized power this war has state governments and made them more indispensable than ever in our scheme of government"
 The war secretary emphasized that 1ne of the principal functions of states must be ito rescue young men from the situation shown during the recent mobilization. when one third of the drafted men were found to be physically undeyeloped or de- fective."
 We must realize" he said. that physical education is as necessary to the development of your youths as mental training. A sound mind must depend upon a sound body and we should organize educational systems providing for physical development" "
 Draft boards will be disbanded at Inc pnd of fhiS month and state branches of the council of national de- fense will cease functioning. as fed sral agencies, as soon as possible. MT. Baker said. He urged that both CO., operate with employment agencies fin finding work for soldiers.
 Secretary Houston urged states to establish strong centralized agricul- tural departments, to define more clearly the function of land grant col eges, to continue promotion of agri- cultural extension work, build better roads and promote campaigns in rural against preevntable diseases.
 Considering the uncertainty of the future of the worlds food production. Secretary Houston said:
 Congress should make available a evolving fund of not less than S600,- 100000 to effectuate the government guarantee of $2.20 bushel for wheat, 'or We cannot tell at this time what he real market price will be a year from now. It may be as much as I2.20 and it may be as much as 50 cents less than the guaranteed price