Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-03-26
FACT|ONAL FIGHT
OF REPUBLICANS
Manifest Almost Continuously in
the Work of the State Senate
at Dover.
stan Correspondence OF Every Evening
STATE HousE, Dover, March %.

accredited independents In the body
has been manifest all through the special
SESSION of the Legislature. the latest
evidence being in the drawing of the dc
fence bill Some of the objectors to the
appointment of Council of Defence
for supplying the farms with additional
labor, placing its enforcement in the
hands Of the State Board of Agriculture
"That1l never do, said one of the
"Independent" lobbyists who have been
keeping their hands on the Senatorial
throttle Don't you sec what power that
would place in the hands of Alden Benson
Regular Republican and chairman of the
State Central Committed and Senator
Newton. who are members of the State
Board of Agriculture
So the Board of Agriculture was forth
with eliminated. but the Republican
justices of the peace and constablcs were
practically substituted by this same Gle
ment. and that is virtually the "meat in
the cocoanut' in the substitute bill
recommended by the Senate revised
statutes committee To the joint COM
nittee appointed To consider the matter
of new bill This bib imposes upon the
constables all over the State the duty of
rounding UP the idlers, loafers and slack
duty of imprisoning the aforesaid derc-
licts. who. however. can appeal To the
court, which has the right to put them out
to work on penalty Of solitary confinement
for refusal tn work.
If the operation Of any such law was 70
be placed in the hands Of p political
machine the possibilities seem TO be large
in the substitute, which is one Of the bills
submitted To the committee of confer
ence
The Senate end Of the conference com
mittee, as has been pointed out. ls Contrni-
led by the independents, President lfo
Tenn Barnard and Senator HniieckeT being
the Republican members.
The report that President Fro Tom
Barnard sighted Senator Wharton N
the appointment Of the Senate members
of the conference committee appears to
be unfounded While Senator Wharton
introduced the conference resolution and
II was eypec ted he could he appointed,
ne is authority for the statement that
Son ator Gorrnlev WAS appointed at his
request and not rs the Democratic caucus
selection or the particular choice oi the
president nro tenn Senator Wharton
said he thought a Wilmington Democratic
Senator should be on the committee and
he SO Informed the presiding officer
While only port on of the conference
committee Was here yesterday the mem
bers who were here considered the dc
fence program IN q general way pre-
paratorv 10 today's committee meeting
TEXT OF SUBSTITUTE BILL
Following is the text Of the substitute
bill submitted 10 the conference committee
nv the revised statutes committee Of the
Senate.
An act to stimulate agriculture and
industry and suppress ldleness during the
war period and 10 provide for cooperation
with the National Council Of Defense
BE it enacted by the Senate and
House OF Representatives of the State Of
Delaware in General Assembly met:
Section |. In order to provide effective
means Of defense and preserving order
within the State and to insure the maxi
mum output Of agricultural and industrial
products and the maintenance of vital
enterprises during the period of the war
IN which the United States IS now engaged,
q council of defense for this State Is
hereby established, which shall hc known
as 'The State Council of Defense which
shall consist of the governor and six or
more suitable persons not tn exceed
fifteen. residents OF this State who shall
be appointed by the governor.
Section g The State Council of
Defense shall continue IN existence
throughout the duration Of the present
war. and for SIX months after the said
war shall be terminated bv treaties duly
ratified bv the Senate Of the United States.
at which time the said Council shall he
dissolved by proclamation of the governor
All vacancies occurring IN tho said council
shall be filed by the governor.
Section g The powers and duties
of the said Council during its existence
and until If shall be dissolved shall be
|. To encourage the production of all
things necessary for the supplying Of the
national army and the civilian population
and for the maintenance of agriculture
and all Industries and enterprises essential
10 the interests of the State and nation
throughout the war, and until the said |
council shall be dissolved as aforesaid I
q To cooperate and assist the council !
Of national defense IN the execution of its |
duties.
3. To cooperate with councils of dc
tense and similar agencies IN other States /
insofar as cooperation Is in harmony with !
the council of national defense.
To promote within the State of |
Delaware such plans of national defense !
as are mutually agreed upon between it |
and the council of national defense.
;. To adopt, or If it shall see fit, TO |
cause to be taken, a census and Inven- |
tory OF the resources of the State in men |
and materials, To make investigation |!
and report to the governor the location ,
and availability of military supplies and |
the location and capacity of railroads, !
automobiles and all other means of trans
portation aud conveyance within the |
state. and to determine their availability !
10, military purposes of the State. and TO |
render possible the expeditions mobiliza |
tIon and concentration OF State troops, /
snd supplies at points of defense and |
military advantage
9. To give information 70 producers Of
materials as 20 supplies needed by the /
military forces !
q. And IN general to take such steps
~ may be, IN the opinion OF said council. |
Decessary or advisable for the public |
defense and security; for the protection Of |
rcutex of communication for the public |
care and assistance 81 individuals and /
classes upon whom the harCshirs Of war
wo.Ild fall most heavily; for the develop |
ment of the resources Of the State. partic- |
Larry those from which will be derived |
nc supplies OF food and other commodities /
poD which the conduct Of war makes a |
| Mothers find