The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1918-02-07
CRUM FOR DEFENSE COUNCIL.
Speaks Very Plainly in Advocating
Measure in the House.

eral tense moments in the house of
representatives this afternoon when
some of the members objected
to what they believed were dis
paraging remarks made against
some of the personnel of that
body by Mr.. Crum, of Bam-
berg, in the course of his discus
sion of the measure legalizing the
State council of defense. Mr.. Crum
satisfactorily explained his criticisms.
The Bamberg member said, in his
opinion, opposition to the measure
sprang from three sources: Those un-
familiar with the objects and the aims
of the council, those opposed to it
from political reasons, and those who
are against the government in this
war. Mr.. Crum said that those who
were against the bill through lack
of knowledge and who, when their
doubts had been cleared away and
they were fully cognizant of the work
and the aims of the council, if they
still opposed the measure they were
leagued against this government. Mr..
Long, Of Greenville, Mr.. McLaurin, of
+! Marlboro, and others wanted the
speaker to explain just what he
meant. Mr.. Crum said that he de-
sired to cast no aspersion on any in
dividual; what he desired to impart
was that, after the bill had been
amended in whatsoever manner the
house desired, then if member was
opposed to it because he did not de-
sire State council of defense, that
member was not wholeheartedly be-
hind the government in the prosecu-
ton of the war.
The measure was still under de-
bate when the house adjourned at
2 o'clock to reconvene ne3t Tuesday
afternoon at o'clock.
Apparently, Judging from the con-
versation of the members in the hall
and the lobby of the house of repre-
sentatives, opposition to the bill Gre
ating the State council of defense
| is gradually dying down. Some of
the members object to legislating the
present personnel into Office and the
amount of appropriation asked, but
opposition to the council as such has
not made it's appearance. There is
no, political significance in the fight
! on the original bill, as members OF
both the Blease and the anti-Blease
| factions are lined up against the
present personnel and the amount OF
appropriation, and the partisans OF
each side are for the passage of the
measure as prepared by the legisla-
tive committee of the State council.
It is thought that the ways and
means committee amendments pro-
viding for the selection of one mem
Der of the council from each county
and the reduction of the appropria-
tion from $4,000 to $4,000 will not
be acceded to by the general assem-
bly,.
When the bill legalizing the State
council of defense was reached today
J. Howard Moore, of Abbeville, NOV
ed to adjourn debate until 1925 p.
m. Tuesday. Mr. Moore said he did
not know whether he was in favor of
the measure or not, but several men,
bers of the house who are interested
in the bill were absent and they
should be considered before the
measure was voted upon.
The house, by a vote Of 81 to 80,
refused to postpone debate on the
measure.
Mr.. Crum, of Bamberg, said that
the bill should be passed, particular
ly as Secretary of War Baker had
urged the State council of defense
as war necessity. Objections to the
bill can be grouped under three heads
said Mr.. Crum:: First, that it is
not doing any good; second, dislike
to the personnel of the council; and
third, objection to the appropriation.
The Bamberg member said that
the publicity given the State by the
State council of defense and its ef-
forts to counteract German propa-
ganda justified that body's existence.
He told of the splendid work done
in the second liberty loan and the
Y. M. c.. A. campaigns and the
achievements accomplished by the
body. The first liberty loan canvass
was a failure; the second campaign
was taken in charge by the State
council of defense and the loan was
over-subscribed SIS per cent. in South
Carolina. said Mr.. Crum, who claim