The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-01-10

was IN session, ana IN tnose STATES
legislation was Immediately enacted
creating central bodies representative
of the state for cooperation with ma
tional agencies of like character.
Realizing the imperative needs of the
state In this direction. IL became nee
essary for me to decide the question
whether to supply these needs by ex-
ecuGve authority at moderate expense
or to call the general assembly in ex-
traordinary session at an expense
greatly In excess of that necessary to
accomplish the desired ends. Find
ing the sentiment of the state, as
ascertained by inquiry and as reflect
ed in the press. favorable to the use
OF executive authority as against an
extra session of the legislature. thus
confirming my own judgment. l con-
st tuted by appointment a number of
councils corresponding to those which
had been called forth in other states
at the suggestion of the national au-
thorities.
Council Of Defense.
First the Virginia council of de-
Tense. which took over and exercised
large responsibilities, not only within
the state but certain htrhiy necessary
functions In conjunction with the
ro"-s Of national defense Th s
council, composed of leading citizens.
possessing large experience in various
lines, rendered important and vaiu-
able service with patriotic zeal and
conspicuous ability.
For certain specific duties of i'm
portance ! appointed two affiliated
bodies coe known as the agricultural
council OF safety, and the other as the
Industrial council OF safety. The agri-
etI tvfxy ~
officials already in state service, has
done splendid work in bringing Vir-
Cinla In line with her sister states In
realization of the Importance OF In
creased agricultural production. and
In arousing and educating the people
TO the necessities OF the hour The
Industrial council of safety has rem
dcred no less important service in
handling with wisdom and discretion
nanny problems of labor supply. which
were vitality important at a time when
so much depended on the products o.
mine shop and field. both for our own
uses ard the uses of our allies.
Subsidiary councils were called into
0"tng hY the state council az irstru-
merits for carving out certain specific
features Of the national program
member Of the faculty Of the
70 AZ 'tf ~ 3lAAbFt flSfftnFS rendered
valuable and highlv efficient service
90 seCretarv Of the state council Of
defense without com ner sAtion.
To each and all OF these councils
and to all mem ers and officials there
Of men ard women is due the thanks
NJ the wealth and of the ma
tion.
Necessary expenses were incurred
p" those Cour ellis. but no salaries wore
petd the Fnemh eTs. In the emerger cy
J authorized the payment of these ex-
penSes. which UP to October !. 1877.
AS shown by the report of the auditor
Of ruhiic accounts. reached the total
of S5.s0230. 1 have also authorized
the payment OF expenses accriiing
since October l OF inconsiderab bic
amount
Against these figures II IN interest
ing ~ note that each state whose
legislature has been in session since
tho declaring OF war against GERMANY
har constituted councils OF Ike char
acter. with appropriations ranging in
some cases I'm to 81. coo. 600. The aver
ere in the Eastern states fs 1000
pe't / call the attention OF YOUR hon
orable BODY TO the report of the state
council. which sets out the activities
80 e"complishments of these several
bodies
Put Council on Legal BaSfs.
recommend the creation by statute
or Virginia council of defense. with
an adequate appropriation. to be com
posed In part OF members ex-offie,o
ana IN part OF private citizens op-
pointed by the governor, to be charged
with the duty OF cooperating with
n" council OF national defense. and
Win afHhating agencies OF nature
similar 10 the state agricultural coun-
~ ana the state industrial council.
Tor Inc purpose OF carrying into er
feet successfully the various necessary
war activities
] further recommend that the art
authorizing the governor and the
IVA tor to draw on the treasury to
meet extraordinary criminal expenses
not otherwise provided for nv law. he
amended sc as TO extend the author
ny OF the governor and the auditor
20 meet auv emergency growing ont
OF the war situation at such times a.
the general assembly may not be in
session
much heavier expense than those
hereinhefore enumerated was piAred
on the state by the call OF the federal
government for state troops TO guard
important utilities located in Virginia
such as railroad bridges. tunnels, in
dus'rial plants wharves docks ter
miualS. etc. The acuteness OF the
situation. as II appeared 10 both ma
uonai and state authorities Irnmedi-
ataly after our country entered into
the war. was such as 10 forbid argu-
ment as 10 the policy or advisability
OF mourning this EXPENSE to state ac-
count, especially as the national guard
in state service was the only force
available pending the return of the
federaiized national guard from the
Mexican border and the mobilization
OF various orga nizations into federal
service The state expenditures on
this account. less about So 900 used for
guarding state property, amounted TO
about $40. 900. which | treat as an
advancement to the federal govern
ment for which claim should be mada
as soon as may be appropriate In THIS
connection 1t may he stated that high
officials of the federal government de-
clared the purpose. during the period
In which these expenses were being
incurred. to recommend that the sew
eral states, including Virginia, fur
nishfng protection to the utilities OF
the class mentioned be REIN hursed.
Record of Virginia Troops.
Soon after the outbreak OF the war
with Germany. our national guard
which had been on duty on the Mawim