Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-26

result cOulQ OtnerWiSe nave Deen &C
complished by the Navy Department.
1T was not by chance but by a long
and patient process Of negotiation
with the bureaus OF labor and immi-
sration in Washington and the Ca
madam Government that restrictions
on the Canadian border were modified
so as to avert the disa strous labor
shortage that threatened our indus
trial and agricultural interests.
Through the Public Safety Com
mittee and in cooperation with the
Federal Government we have con-
Quoted a steady campaign for in
creased food production and have led
the nation both in point Of time and
efficiency in solving the problem Of
experimenting farm labor by the use
Of boys Of high school age.
"A committee on shipbuiIding UNI
Ger the able leadership Of Governor
Cobb after many conferences with
the shipping board in Washington
succeeded in adapting the construc-
ton plans to Maine conditions so as
to allow the placing of more than SIS
0O0,0 worth Of contracts in Maine
shipyards.
I'm CO. cooperation with the Federal
Government and especially with the
surgeon general of the army santa
ton zones around important naval
and ;hipyard points have been
marked out and campaigns are in
progress in the centers Of populat ton
in tn, State against the specia; dis
eases most injurious to the health of
our Army and Navy.
THE earliest and most efficient re-
lief TO the sufferers in the Halifax
disaster was modified by telephone
from my Office and sent from the
State Of Maine. Maine, in fact, was
the only State which sent relief ex-
petition and paid it's expenses out of
State funds.
Special arrangements have been
made for the reception OF returned
soldiers afflicted with tuberculosis or
with shell shock and a plan is now
being worked out for surgical treat
ment at the States expense for men
OF draft age who can by such means
be made available for military serv-
ice
Maine was the first State to pre-
sent complete plan in Washington
Tor vocational training in co-opera-
ton with the Federal Government
and the first to provide such training
at State expense for men Of draft age.
Maine has also put into opera
ton at her own expense a more thor
ough and complete organization for
apprehension OF slackers. deIinquents
and deserters than l know of in any
other state.
These activities and many others
that might be mentioned have pre-
sented problems without precedent,
nave required prompt decisions, and
nave involved frequent contact and
.'ose cooperation with the Maine
delegation in Washington and various
departments Of the Federal Govern
Heht. We have had no time to brag>
ABOUT what we have been doing and
many OF our most difficult and deli
cafe problems have been go involved
WIN military matters that they could
not De made public at all.
Money Saved in Taxes
rieh prices resulting from war
oohui'ohs nave introduced the same
refpiexities and emergencies into the
business anairs OF the State that con-
4'oh' '"e average man in his family
e1pense account. have no time to
yen yoo IN detail how these problems
nave oeen met. It is suf1icient to saw
Ia every need Of each State depart
lnen' ana institution has been fully
met tae roAd-buildinx program ba.