The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-05-15

surely. governor, you know that the
commissioner OF agriculture knew
nothing about the subject. in 80 far
as taking any part therein La CON
cerned, approximately six weeks ago
Surely, governor, you know that
even If you were writing a few letters
In carrying out the plan for these
tractors, as gotten under way by the
three gentlemen named above. that
there was no cooperation between
your department and the commits
sIoner of agriculture. How could that
official. for instance, as a membe of
the council, make arrangements for
intelligent organizing and placing of
this important work If you had
knowledge of the arrangements I'M
der way and did not communicate
with the commissioner in relation
thereto? 1t may be that you did so
communicate. and we shall be glad
to so state IL you so authorize, but
The Virginian knows that it sent one
of its staff TO interview the commits
sioner on this subject OF farm trac-
tors soon after the general assembly
adjourned. and that gentleman could
only say that be had heard nothing
Of the efforts OF other state councils
10 supply the tractors to their people,
but that If The Nirginian would pub
fish the facts and inform the people
how community organizations could
be affected for obtaining them, and
would write TO the commissioner. the
latter would take the subject up and
investigate it
Surely, governor, you know that.
IN so far as that article purported to
! represent that you and the state coun-
/ ell of defense had been working on
that enterprise patiently diligent
while under criticism, and, in so far
as that article purported to create
the impression that the state council
was financing the arrangement, that
it was an impudent falsehood and.
surely. governor, you know that. in
SO far as that article purported TO
place all the credit for what actually
vas accomplished with yourself and
ignoring the initiative Of former Gov.
ernor Stuart and Mr.. Julien Hill.
surely you know that was ungener-
Gus, unfair and unsportsmanlike.
Why cannot we have an end to all
this phiiandering, an end of subtle
ties. an end OF yelled threats that
som ebody is to be removed, an end
first to the statement that the cover
nor is all powerful in the state council
OF defense, that it will be the most
epotent OF all the nations, state coun-
Ellis, and then the per contra state :
ment by letter from your own hand
to the. members OF the council setting
forth by implication that you are
not acquainted with what the coun-
Gil has done. nor with what it in
tends 10 do
The crying need Of the hour is for
the governor to admit his error-the
people even yet viii be generous and
overlook much-admit his error.
make use Of the $4,000 emergency
fund. appoint the citizens at large. as
requested by Secretary Baker; APP
point the women menl.ers of the
council as requested by the national
council. and, IN the name of all that
Is good. take an active part in lead
) ing the state council into lines of
, real activity. confer with its mem
bers
With the right spirit it would be
possible TO organize the entire state
; in another month, and have an ~al
cient county organization in every,
county in the state, and from then
on develop the local councils, all Of
which has been planned and outlined.
awaiting anly funds and proper direo>
ton, all Of which has been urgently
requested by tho national council.