Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-03-14

paid by tho State treasurer out OF any
unappropriated monies in tho treasury,
provided that no outlay OF money. ny
the said council or its agencies shall be
made or contracted for until approved
by tho governor.
DEBATE IN COMMITTEE.
When the House, in committee OF tho
whole, resumed consideration OF tho
Defence bill at the afternoon session,
Mr.. Cross wanted to know whether, IN
| the event of strike, the strikers cou'u
be compelled TO go back to work az the
| point of a bayonct at reduced pay
Chairman Boyce ruled that in such a
case the strikers could be construed as
| idle men and could be put to work.
Representative McNabb made Wig
| orous attack upon section OF the bill,
which permits the council TO draft into
| any service every resident between Ito
and 60 years of age not in the army or In
some useful occupation. He objected par
tic,ilarlv to the exemption of public
officers, claiming that it was the rchcc-
ton on the legislators to do that. lie held
also that the section was too drastic.
at gives this council. he declared, more
power than the deposed czar ever had
Mr.. Downward thought tho matter
should be given careful thought, as did
also Mr.. Cross.
Mr.. Burris said the bill is an admins
traton measure, based on the best ludg-
rnent of President Wilson, and II that Is
his Judgment, tho speaker said he was
unwilling to place his judgment against
that of the President, who believed neces-
sity required this action. He dared
MIR. McNabb to oppose the bill.
Mr.. McNabb said he would oppose the
bill with all the vigor he possessed, and,
in support of his claim TO patriotism, he
said when the country called in 1898 he
shouldercd gun Mr.. Downward said
when the present wax broke out he offered
his services and he held an acknowledge
ment from the President.
In regard to the section requiring the
production of any papers that may be
demanded by the council, Mr.. McNabb
wanted to know what that meant. lie
was Informed by Speaker Hall and Mr.
Burris that il might be very useful in
running down spies or traitors.
Referring 10 section s, Mr.. McNabb
wanted TO know what was the reason for
excepting members of the Judiciary and
General Assembly in executing orders
for the preservation OF the peace and
carving out tho objects Of the act.
Speaker Hall said those bodies might
have TO pass final Judgment on points
that might be raised.
Mr.. McNabb opposed section Q, per
mitting the council TO employ agents. as
sistants, &c, holding that it afforded an
opportunity 10 "hand out Jobs 20 political
down-and-outers" He thought some
limit should be established lie also
opposed section 10, providing for tho
members Of the council 10 serve without
pay. He held that every laborcr is
worthy of his hire"
When the final section II ll--came up
Mr.. McNabb thought there should be
provision for an audit Of the accounts.
Speaker Hall said it has been customary
for each Legislature to make certain APP
preparations and il as seldom that any of
those amounts are returned, but in this
instance provision is made for an audit
as the expenditures arc made
On the speakers motion, the chairman
was directed to report the bill favorablt
in its entirety The only negative vote
was that Of Mr.. Rash