Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-06-25
Appropriations and War Will
Engage SoIon's Attention


lack of authority and lack of money.
The National Council of Defense in
Washington will launch a particular
program directly related to the win
ming of the war-such, for example,
as the enlistment of shipbuilderS, which
is more important even than the en-
listment of troops. 1t will place the
program in the hands of the various
state councils for them to carry out in
their respective states. Other state
councils, clothed with genuine author
ity and backed by appropriations ade-
quate to handle emergencies, go right
ahead with the work Georgia's state
council can do very little.
The fact is that Georgia's state
council was created at a time, just
year ago, when the anti-draft sentiment
and general anti-war sentiment was
quite strong in the state. Even GER
tain state house officials were at that
time going over the state making anti
draft speeches. Under the circum-
stances then prevailing it was impossi-
BILE to put through a genuine state coun-
ell, and the authors Of the bill were
obliged to accept a very unsatisfactory
compromise. Governor Dorsey himser
will insist that the Legislature at this
session give the council the dignity and
power and funds which the extreme
is the chairman of the council and has
been hampered all the year in his ef-
forts to carry forward vitality 1mpor-
tant war activities.
Second on the list of war measures IS
the compulsory work law. This bill mas
been prepared by the special labor COM
mittee of the state council appointed Dy
the governor. The governor took part IN
the committees preparation of the DILL
and it will have his strong support. III
is modelled after similar laws enacted by
other state legislatures to help win the
war. It has the Endorsement and ur.
gent recommendation or the NatlonaI
Council of Defense.
The bill requires every aole-oooleo
man between the ages of eighteen and
fifty years to work at least FIVE days IN
every week Shortage of manpoWer IN
essential industry is now America
most difficult problem. EvenS the ship
ping problem. as difficult as it seemed In
the beginning, has been worked out
smoothly by the great captains or IN
dustry put in charge of shipbuilding py
President Wilson. But the labor prob
lem is not a thing that can be reached by
a board in Washington. 1t is thing
which REQUIRES close cooperation by ev-
erv state in the union, coupled with
strict enforcement of the law all down
the line. from the largest cities to the
smallest villages.
Manv men who can make enough mon
ey in three days to support themselves d
week. due to the very high wage scale
now prevailing in all industry, are salo
to be working half the time and Ioanhs
half the time. Hence II becomes neces-
sary to pass a special war emersehcy
work law compelling them 10 Work a'
least FIVE days week
The government needs the full-tlme
service of all able-bodied men in indus
tries essential to the conduct OF the war.
The farmers need the full-time service
of avery available farm laporer, In or
der m meet the heavy demands for food
rroduction, cotton production and live
stock production laid upon them py the
government ,z, -.
There is no room for the ldler ana
loafer in America today and the Iesls-
Ioture will be asked to put him out OF
business by compelling him 10 WORK Luii
time.
Quite a strong sentiment seems to be
devrIoning among members of the legis-
Jatl,re IN favor of the repeal OF the NELL
urinary law which was passed In 1917.
Sorre Of the enthusiastic advocates of
thia measure now privately admit that
thew are sorry they passed IT. Wen IN
formed politicians say they would not
he surprised If the legislature should
strike the law entirely on the statute
hooks The prospect of a possible run
over in tn. senatorial race is apparently
not relished by the majority of political
leaders over the state. The NeiH prl-
mary law requires a candidate In the
state primary to receive majority OF
the county unit votes before he shall
be entitled to the nomination In case
there are more than two candidates
and none of them secures a majority OF
the county unit votes, then the Neill law
REQUIRES that the two leading candidates
shall have a turnover, the expense or
the same to be paid by the state.
Among other bills to which the legis-
lature will probably give special atten-
ton are the bill allowing citizens In
the army or navy to vote in state cleo
tions by registered letter, the bill to
amend the constitution so as to require
all counties to levy a local school tax.
and the bill to amend tte constitution
so as to confer upon women the right
of the ballot.
The house and senate will be called
to order at 10 o'clock next Wednesday
morning, Speaker Holder presiding in
the house and President Olive pres1d-
ing in the senate.
During the session of the Legislature
Major d. T. McClatchey, secretary OF
the senate and exc cutivs secretary of
the food administration in Georgia, will
attend to his duties in the capitol and
his assistant, E. H. Alsop, will be in
char ge of the food administration Of
fees in the Chamber of Commerce build
ing. Major McClatchey's staff this year
will consist of the following, who served
last year:
Charles P. Hansell. of Thomasville,
assistant secretary; Charles F. Rice, of
Atlanta, journal clerk; Pat HARRISON, of
Blairsville, calendar clerk; Mrs. Louise
Bigby Jordan. OF Atlanta, official stenOg-
rapher of the senate.
In the house of representatives the
staff of Z. B. Moore, clerk of the house. |
will consist of the following:
Fred T. Bridges, Johnson county, read |
ing clerk; A. H. Harris, Jr., Henry |
County, jor rnal clerk; Lamar Ham, Bald |
win county, calendar clerk.
Each of these men is new in his posi- |
ton. Henry F. Branham. last years |
reading clerk, has resigned Edward H. |
Rhodes, last years journal clerk, is now
a stenographer in General Pershing's 1
h headquarters in France. w. NJ. Remond, |
last years calendar clerk. is now a sec
und lieutenant in the army.