Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-03-06

/ tcrnoon sent 10 the General Assembly
/ the following special message in re-
gard to the state Council OF Defense:
| Gentlemen OF the General Assembly,:
| I desire to place before you the fol-
! lowing communication to from
| Honorable Newton y. Baker. Secretary
| OF War and chairman of the Council
| Of National Defense. with regard TO
| the state Council Of Defense. for such
action as sou may deem proper aud
! cNpedicnt:
CcopyD
February .. 1918.
Ilonorsbic Wcstrnorel;,nd Davis.
Governor OF Nire inia
STATE capitol.
Richmond. Va.
Dear SIR. :m informed that your
induction into office as Governor OF the
state OF Virgins, occurs in the midst
OF session OF the Virginia LcSisia-
turc. This session occurs at most
opportunc time for the enactment of
war emergency legislation. and 1 am
advised by former Governor Stuart that
he has recommended to the Legislature
the statutory establishment OF Il State
Council 81 Defense with IN ADEQUATE
appropriat
The experience Of the state councils
organized uuGrr various plans, has
shown that tn. most .fectiye type is
that which is established directly by
statute with a provision for u,uple
IHnuS iOr the WORK OF the council. with
provision for q paid executive sccrc-
tary and council composed OF tho
Governor and higher executive officers
OF the state us OK oi!icio members, and
representatives of the industries
activities and resources Of the State a.
the other members. I iucloSc 4 draft
Of the provisions deemed important by
the Council OF National Defense for a
statute creating a State Council OF De-
Tense This draft is based upon
comparison OF the several State
statutes which have already been en-
acted creating State Councils OF De-
Tense. and on the experience OF State
councils under these various forms of
ORGANIZATIONS
on December 10. the State councils
section OF the Council OF National De-
tense sent 10 your predecessor in Of
lice tentative suggestions for the cstab-
liShmcnt OF state council Somewhat
similar suggestions were sent to your
State Council of Defense The present
draft. however. IL in final form. and
should he regarded as supersedinG any
previous suggestions.
have already written to former
Governor Stuart urging the adoption
OF the proposed legislation with refer
ence 10 the statutory establishment OF
the Virginia State Council Of Defense.
wish also to obtain your co-opera-
ton in this matter. The efficient organ
lZal'Oh Oh the cntlrc country Tor war
purposes requires the creation OF
powerful! agencies in each or the States
which shall be able TO cooperate with
each other and with the National
Council Of Defense in initiating and
co-ordinatinG the war activities OF tho
State and the nation.
inclosc :, cong Of q letter have
written TO former Governor Stuart.
trust that you viii deem II advisable
TO Use your Efforts 10 have Incorporated
into tho Virginia statute the recon-
menda tons made in tho incloscd draft
Yours very truly.
tSisned, NEWTON D. RAKER
Secretary OF War. and Chairman OF
Council OF National Defense.
Under authority vested in me as Gov
ernor. ! appointed State Council OF
Defense on February =, selecting
members those State officials whose
functs,ns TO he performed by the
council. !. o:
Adjutant- General.
Second Auditor.
State Health Commissioner.
state Highway Commissioner.
superintendent Of Pubic instruction.
state Librarian.
Commissioner OF Labor Statistics.
Commissioner ~ Insurance.
Commissioner Of Agriculture and Inn
migration.
Chairman OF the Corporation COM
mission.
Secretary OF the State Board OF
Charities and Correction.
state Farm Demonstration Agent.
state Home Demonstration Agent.
Secretary OF the Legislative Refer
cnce Bureau.
have authorized these officials