Evening journal., 1918-03-01

for such emergency work and we know
from recent reports of the good nnan- |
cial standing of the state treasury
I'VE therefore. suppose that Della |
ware has been able 30 care for the nee
essary defense work Of the state, and
we would like 20 be IN a position 20
know how our work and our eXpendi
lures compare with those In surround
ing communities.
Labor IS very ready 10 do its part in
an patriotic movements coming under
the head OF defense We would like,
however. 90 know more about the worh
so that we may apply ourselves with
the greatest benefit 90 our families and
our boys at the front.
Yours respectfully,
CENTRAL LABOR UNION.
John C.. SAVIOR, Secretary"
Yesterday while 20 the state House,
Governor Townsend sent the following
reply 60 Secretary SsylOr.
Mr. John q. Saylor Secretary, p. o.
Box 192. Wilmington. Delaware.
My Dear Sir: Your letter repre-
senting the interests Of the Central
Labor Union. inquiring in'o tho work
that Delaware is doing In National De
fense. has been received.
THAT the spirit represented by your
inquiry is appreciated, goes without
saying. From the very beginning Of
the war. the dominant factor in the ac-
tivities in this ate has been the offers
Of assistance and whole-hearted CO.
operation, given every call or demand.
Answering your inquiry, Delaware
has done her part we'll and that work
compares favorably with that OF her
sister states In the registration. eX-
animation and selection under the Selec-
tive Service Act, Delaware. am in
formed. was first 20 report 30 the
National authorities. Many expressions
Of appreciation for the work done have
been received from the War Depart
ment.
Not only In this work. but in The
defense activities our citizens have moi
only expressed a loyalty. but have rem
dered valuable and practical service 90
the state and Government The work i>
done without much boast or bombasi
but 70 Is nevertheless effective. Last
spring, ] called q public melting 90 con
slider the production and conservation
side Of the war; 4 committee resulted
and Immediately set 20 work 20 make
up an agricultural census and en-
courage increased paintings. Rural
labor bureaus were established. Sue
cess was the result. more acreage In the
rural sections than ever before IN the
history Of The stale
1T Is interesting TO note that this
work was organized and doing effective
work before the National Council made
/ any requests. a man power census was
provided for under the direction 0f
I George II. Kerr. OF Wilmington, hut
after all Initial plans were effected. this
action at request OF National Council
was postponed
You Inquire concerning the eXpendi-
ture OF moneys as provided by the last
/ General Assembly. I'm this. there is in
some quarters some misunderstanding
Contrary TO the impression, that the
/ Governor has unlimited resources for
this work. you will note upon careful
reading that his powers are very DELI
nitely limited and defined May / In.
/ sert here that resolution for your
I perusal
Section T. That the Governor Is
/ hereby authorized and empowered 10
cause a census Of the men. materials
and an other possible resources Of the
state for military use and 20 ascertain
]
/ defenses, which may exist within the
borders OF this state. and 10 employ
/ the necessary agents 90 effeciuate the
/ purposes OF this resolution.
Section 2-It shall be the duty Of
all public officers and employees 20 as
sist the Governor and such agents as
he may appoint 10 the making Of the
census and the ascertainment Of the
fnfaurr 1ffnra nfnuaanfT Ts.r--~r ,..-..--.. f.-
this State shall sive 10 the Governor OF
such agents an information OF which
he may he possessed concerning the
matters and things intended to bt
ascertained In pursuance Of the provis.
ions thereof.
Section 3. The Governor is further
authorized, as and when the eventuali.
ties in his judgment require, 10 mobil
lie all or such Of the State troops a.
are necessary, az some convenient poini
OF points and TO equip and maintain
the same. He IS further authorized
to use all the necessary means 20
place all such troops with their ac
Icoutrements and equipment at the dis
pOsal OF the President II 10 shoult
/ he necessary, in the iudment Of IN,
Governor. TO call additional troops fol
w.
is hereby authorized to mobilize. equiI
and maintain the same, and when called
by The President. TO place such troops
at the dispoasal Of the nation.
" Section e. The Governor is here
by authorized and empowered TO draw
upon the state treasurer and the Stat
treasurer is hereby authorized and di
rected TO pay, upon the warrant Of thi
Governor, out Of any inappropriate,
money In the treasury, such amount o.
amounts as the Governor shall certif!
10 be necessary TO carry out the provi
] sions Of this resolution
You see at a glance that the pro
b visions are for the ascertainment OF th
military resources, and the expendi
turc OF money FOR mobilization an,
equipment Of troops for actual state O
National Denfense-and not or pre-
paredness work in the lines which th
war has brought upon us. 70 is 10
emergency rather than preparatOr,
work. This work. which the Nations
Council is urging our cooperation. Is
admit, Of equal importance and jus
as vital as the actual emergency.
"The resolution provides for On
emergency but not the preparation 70
- successfully meeting that emergency
= should 70 arise.
"This is no oversight or premeditatel
E attempt of the General Assembly q
limit the expenditures. 10 is simply con
J ditions have arisen that never occurre
TO them. They did not anticipate sucl
!, fHo. rrassa-r,r,,or.f 40