The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-05-09
DEFENSE COUNCIL CAN
COMMAND COUNTY HELP.
SAYS new SECRETARY
He Believes That Law Makes Millions
Of Local Funds Available for
Necessary Work.
PROPOSES TO ORGANIZE
ENTIRE STATE THOROUGHLY
MIR. Kelley Recognizes the Urgent
Need of Prompt and Effective Ac-
ton to Mako Virginia Factor In
Helping Win War.

| Charles r. Kelley. executive secre-
tary of the state council OF defense
! has assumed fully the duties OF his
office, and has been assigned ONCE
! space in the Capitol building adjoin-
! ing the senate chamber.
/ The first thing MIR. Kelley did, up
ION taking over the position. was TO
, examine carefully the powers vested
! in the council by the legislature at
! its last session. and he is fully per-
suaded that the powers are scarcely
without limit In tho performance OF
any enterprise that the council may
consider expedeni in order to give
the highest possible assistance to the
government in carry ON the war SO
far as such assistance lay In the pow
err and resources Of the state Of vir-
| Enia
The statute creating the council has
left IL within the power of those com
posing that organiZat ton 10 call upon
the various integral jurisdictions OF
the state TO afford any and all manner
OF assistance and cooperation with
men. money and resources of every
nature 10 make effective the activi-
ties of the council in whatever line OF
wQsk IL may elect 10 pursue.
Spea king along this line, MIR Kelley
stated that, as he construed the law
! the council has command over mil
lions II necessary to carry on the
work He said the council. a. now
organized are behind him to a man,
and that hr L..
The new secretary {s thoroughly
alive 10 the Importance ~ his task
/ He realizes that so much depends up
on the effective activities of the coun-
ell. that Virginia is expected 10 do her
I nun share in the war. and that her
/ full share viii be done If il becomes
necessary even 10 exercise the entire
( power conferred
! Mr.. keiley will begin at once to or
Eanize the state He expects 10
establish strong and active local coun-
+ ellis IN every city. town and county
I throughout the com mouwealth He
VII do this through the officials ~
the local Jurisdictions They viii be
called upon 10 organize. and get 10
work, and the law provides these Of
/ ncers with every possible authority
/ in TING use Of mon, money and facih-
! ties OF every kind.
Boards OF supervisors are authoriz~
ed To appropriate funds without limit
/ or reserve. Councils OF cities and
towns are given like authority
Enumerating the various kinds OF
work which the council will perform.
Mr.. Kelley stated that they were all
comprehended within the term con
servation." Food health. morals.
! discipline. take the whole scope OF
power OF every function Of the state
government and Of every function of
tho city and county governments. The
state council Of defense can employ
these agencies 10 the utmost re-
sources of the comm, onwcalth
/ Qoutjng from the law. Mr.. Kelley.
after recif<: the appoiniive power OF
tho governor TO call upon any of the
officers OF the state, county, city OF
town governments, said the statute
, provides that they shall perform
such service, and employ in the WORT
of such councils such means as may
have been provided by law for the
conduct and maintenance of their re-
ing else says Mr.. Kelley. than tina,
their duties arc enlarged. and that
The laws provide the necessary ex.
penses of every governmental func-
ton
Should any officer need more money.
it will be their duty to report to the
board of supervisors or To the city
council as the case may be who are
authorized 10 appropriate without
limit.