The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-01-09
STATE DEFENSE COUNCIL.
Will Ask Funds to Carry ON Cam
paigns.

Columbia, Jan. A meeting of
'he state Council of Defense was
heid yesterday at which time the
tentative outline of bill creating the
state Council Of Defense and defin.
ing its powers were approved and
other related matters considered. The
bill calls for an appropriation of $50.
700 to carry on the work of the coun-
Gil during the present year.
DR.. James A. Hayne, secretary of
the State board Of health. attended
the meeting and reported the appAar.
ance OF meningitis at five different
points of the State, some of this di.
rectly traceable to workmen from
cantonments. Upon the statement by
Dr. Hayne as to financial status Of the
department to meet the emergency.
the council passed a resolution 70
memorialize the legislature to provide
at once adequate funds to cope with
the contagion. Speeches were made
by Christie Benet,. Bright Williamson
and Richard Carroll on topics relat
ed to the work Of the council.
BY the provisions of the bill APPROX
ed yesterday. the council is to consist
of Sa members. all Of them except the
governor. the State treasurer and the
comptroller general, who shall be OK
officio members. to be appointed by
the governor. The governor is to be
IN ex-officio member of all commit
tees and shall have the power to re-
move any members or to FIJI any
'acancy that may appear in the courl-
Gil. The only remuneration is rail-
Dad fare. Provision is made for the
employment Of such expert and cleri-
;al help as may be deemed necessary
md compensation fixed. The council
to coordinate its efforts with those
II the National Council or Defense.
Wide powers are to be conferred
m the matter or Investigations. The
council Shall have power to sub.
>oena witnesses and to require their
testimony and to compel the produc-
ion Of account books and flles and
I'll papers and documents deemAd
relevant to any investigation or mat
er which may be under consideration
BY such council. In case of the re-
fusal Of any person to comply with
my subpoena Issued hereunder or to
estify to any matter regarding which
ie may be interrogated. the circuit
court Of any county or the judge
thereof. upon application or q ma
'jority. OF the executive committee
nd approval of the governor. shall h.
'ue an order requiring such person to
comply with subpoena ana to tes-
ify. and any failure to obey such or
Ter Of the court may be punished by
he court as a contempt thereof"
ONh>Oi hAh6 tuc OF I'll
'ulging of information from the coun.
ell another section reads:
Unless II shall be otherwise de.
itermined and ordered by the govern
>r no information gathered under
authority Of Section 10 in the pos.
ession OF the council, or in the pos
session Of any one for it, shall be
made public, but, unless 80 ordered
LII such information shall be regarded
rs CONFIDENTIAL; any member, officar
lerk. or employe or other person d.
vulsing or making known any infor-
nation contrary to the provisions
hereof, or In any manner aiding In
livulging or making known such in.
formation. shall be punished by fine
IF not less than s1Oe, nor more thar
$500, or by Imprisonment in the
'ouiity jail for not less than one
month nor more than six months. O,
~ imprisonment in the State prison
for not more than two years"