Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1918-03-20
BOARD PROVIDES
Continued from page One)

the present military statutes, and will
T be part of the militia.
The question of obtaining funds foI
equipping and maintaining the militia
organization of the state was placed
sIuarely up to the people. Even under
the present system the expenditures are
Averaging around $4,000 a month, and
the funds available to the adjutant gen
eral s office are practically exhausted.
Under the new system it will cost ap-
proximately $260,U00 for salaries for the
next nine months, and the necessary
equipment will cost around $780, 00. AT
the present time the emergency board
authorized the issuance of deficiency
warrants covering the amount, and the
matter Gill be taken up at the next
session of the legislature.
Creates a Puzzle.
1t will be impossible for the legisla-
tnre, however, TO meet this extra expen-
1iture without a special provision to
increase the revenue of the state. Under
the 6 per cent tax limitation amendment
tile revenues of the state will be severe
ly taxed to meet the expenses for the
next two years, and many of the de-
partments are now facing a deficiency
which will have to be met by the EN-
Urgency, board. The emergency board,
however, believes hat the people OF
Oregon will be willing to increase the
amount of taxes in order to provide for
the proper protection for the state s in
dustries.
1t is the intention of the council of
defense, which is back of the present
movement, to institute and support on
initiative bill providing for the raising
OF money for war purposes. The emer-
gency board is relying on this bill being
PASSED, as it will be the only way in
which the obligation incurred by the
improvements i'll the military system
can be met.
A report from H. l.. Corbett, of the
council of defense was read at the sos
sion by J. H. Kallock, director of work
of the. council. In this was outlined the
Plan for q state constabulary, practical
ly as adopted by the board, but without
the provision for organizing it as a
part of the militia system. This move
was taken when it vas found that the
state laws did not provide a means
for a separate cOnstabulary, distinct
from the militia force. 1t was explain
Ell by Mr.. Kallock that this force would
not do away with the home guard or
CARNATIONS which form a part of the
~unorganized militia, nor was it the in
tention to make it unnecessary for pri-
vate firms to provide guards.
Conditions in Portland
Mayor Baker told of the conditions
existing now in that city, and of the
trouble the city authorities were having
in providing protection under the pre-
sent system, in which four separate or
CARNATIONS are working under four
heads. Mayor Baker stated that the
home guardsmen were patriotic and
that their work had been excellent, but
that it was unreasonable to expect bust
ness men to devote their time to this
work when it should be done by an or
ganized force. Mr.. Baker called atten-
tion to the support he had received from
Portland people, in the efforts to pro-
vide protection, and stated that he be-
lieved the people of the state would sun
port any move which would tend to inn
prove conditions.
Adjutant Central Williams considered
the plan of the council of defense ex-
and pointed out that it could
he adopted without creating a special
Under the militia organization it
would be possible to detail the men
eessary to form the constabulary. The
general staff was thought by General
to be the proper authority to
Fave charge of the matter, and thought
the financial part could be handled by
creating a definiency in the military
Governor Explained It
The meeting this morning was calle!
to order by the governor, with all mem
bers of the board present. After a brief
ak by Governor Withycombe, who Elk.
the situation in the state, the
report of the council of defense was
-ead, and after discussion it wal decided
the matter could be handled under
The military statutes. Adjutant Williams
instructed to estimate the probable
.ost of the organization, and a recess
vas taken until 1880 p. M, at which
ime Mr.. Williams report was present
ID, and a deficiency declared to txist.
The organization of the special force
vas necessary because under the laws
governing the formation of militia regi-
nents, the cost of equipping the force.
md of maintaining it would be too
yreat. While the force provided is con-
small, it is believed it will be
uffieient with the police of the cities
md the various sheriff's organizations
o use in case of emergency. The Home
iuard companies now in the state are
lso expected to retain their ~organiza-
ion for emergencies.