Arizona republican., 1918-05-22

the federal government promulgates measures for the support of the army and navy, the Red Cross and other arms of the military and naval service. It requires, at intervals, the peoples concerted effort to carry out plans for food conservation, increased production tof supplies and the stimulating Of ln- terest in the war In this work the national and state councils Of defense are able to render great service. You will, however, readily realize how im- perative it is that the state council of defense be strictly non-partisan in it's organization so that it may enjoy the confidence and support of all the peo- pie, regardless of political affiliations. It is my impression that the Arizona Council of Defense, while accomplish ing much good, has somehow failed to convince all the public of it's non-par- | tisanship, probably for the sufficient reason that the executive committee, which is it's governing body, consists | of members of single political party in the ratio of about three to one. It is not my purpose to lodge the slight est criticism against the personnel of that committee or of the council as a whole. Many men and women of abil- | very unselfishly gwen the council the benefit of their exceptional attain ments. But the fact remains, uncon- reverted, that the councils work has been considerably impeded by the re- 1 1luctance of many people to accept it as an organization representative of all the elements which make up the body lpOlitic of Arizona. It is, therefore, ap- propriate that l should urge upon this legislature tte necessity for insuring the bipartisan reorganization of the council of defense, and for clothing it with some semblance of legal authority so that it's capability for patriotic work may be increased and its activities may extend to all classes of people in every corner of the state. Once this is done it would not be amiss, in my judgment, to appropriate for the Arizona Council fof Defense such sum of money as will ror.der it independent of personal, cor lpoiGtc or county contributions in the
 laTIying out of such war measures a: are in keeping with state laws and have the approval of the federal authorities With the passing remark that funds set aside by other states for councils of defense range from twenty-five hun dred dollars in Georgia to five million dollars in the state of Michigan, con-
 fidently leave financial provision for the Arizona Council to your discretion. If guidance is sought with relation to the form or organization to be adopted,
 would recommend to you the sug.
 gestions of the National Council of
 Defense, copies of which will be trans
 nnitted to you shortly"
 Urges Two Amendments
 Of other matters in the OrOgrarn the
 governor recommended earnestly the
 ratification of the national prohibition
 amendment, and if it should be adopted
 by the senate of the United States be-
 fore the adjournment of the special ses-
 sion of the legislature, the ratification
 of the equal suffrage amendment. He
 also recommended an appropriation for
 the compensation of former Governor
 Campbell for his term in office. This l legislation he said should be dictated by "a true Arizonian's sense of fail