The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-12-21
After The War Problems Dis
cussed By Members of
Cabinet.
SECRETARIES BAKER AND
HOUSTON MAKE TALKS
Say There is Important Work
to Be Done By State Govern
ments in the Reconstruction
Period.

i six State governors Or governorS-elec
IN annual conference here today were
| told by Secretary Baker that war had
proved the indispensability of strong
state governments in peace Us veil
as war times as The principal as-c:ay:;,s
Tor mobiIizing and demobilizing ar
! mics, finding wo1k FOR returning SOL
diers ard developing better methods of
physical training, for young men. ~
the same time he pleaded that State
authorities give cities more freedom 10
work out their individual local prop
lens.
Early disbandment of the draft
boards and State branches Of the
Council Of National Defense as fedGI.-
al agencies was advocated by tie
secretary who urged, however, that
both remain in existence informally to
aid local authorities in solving prob
!ems Of the readjustment period.
Secretary Houston, addressing the
governors, suggested that State gov
@rnments ascertain Immediately what
farming lands might be available for
use OF returning; soldiers. He eau
toned, however, against throwing the
men indiscriminately into Agricultural
pursuits without previous experience
- adequate training.
Reconstruction problems, parti2u-
.arly those relating, to labor, educa-
ton and public lands will be discus:;-
ed by the governors at their meet
ings tomorrow and at the closing Ses
sion Wednesday they will hear ad-
dresses by Secretaries Daniels and
Lane. Tonight they attended a re-
ception at the home of Governor Har-
ringtcn Of Maryland.
Secretary Baker said his princiDa.
purpose in addressing the State excel
tives was to express thanks for the
remarkable manner in which State
and local authorities through defense
councils, draft boards and other OFF,
Gals had carried out the federal gov
ernment's wishes throughout the war
and had initiated measures Of thei!
own
This demonstration of ability
OF democracy to carry out gree t
tndertakins using its constituted au-
:horities. is cne of the greatest les
sons Of the war" the secretary said
Instead iof adding to the aggregate
of centralized power this war has
strengthened State governments and
made-tllem more indispensable than
ever in our scheme Of government
The war secretary emphasized that
one of the principal functions Of
States hereafter must be Ito rescue
young men in the situation shown
during the recent mobilization when
one-third of the drafted men We're
found to be physically undeveloped o.
defective"
eve must realize" he said, that
physical education is as necessary to
the development of our youth as men
tai training. A sound mind must de-
pend upon sound body and we
should organize an educational svs-
tenn providing for physical develop
ment'
Draft boards will be disbanded ct
the end of this month. aud State
branches Of the Council of National
Defense will cease functioning as !ei-
eral agencies as soon as possible, MI.
Baker said. He urged that botn CO.
operate with employment agencies IN
finding work for soldiers
Secretary Houston urged States -
establish strong centralized agrical-
tlraI departments to define more
clearly the furction of the land grant
colleges. to continue promotion OF az
ricultural extension work, build better
roads and promote campaigns in ru!al
districts against preventable diseases.
Considering the uncertainty OF the
future of the worlds food production,
Secretary HouSton said:
"Coneress should make avalla bic
revolvin;; fund Of not less than $780,
900. coo to ci1ectuate the government
guarantee Of S220 busnel for wheat'
for we can not tell at this time "hal
the real market price will be yea!
from now. IT may be as much as - "
and it may be as much as 90 Genus
less than the guaranteed price
Those in attendance at the confer
once are Governors Hunt OF Arizona,
Townsend of Delaware. Dorsey OF
Georgia. Alexander OF Idaho, Cool
rich OF indiana, Hardin Of Iowa. Cap
per of Kansas. Pleasant OF LOUISIANA,
Milliken OF Maine. Harrington o.
Maryland. Sleeper Of Michigan, Bur:-
quisj Of Minnesota. Gardner OF MIS-
souri,. Stewart of Montana, Boyle o.
Nevada. Edge OF New Jersey. i-lii6-
sey Of New Mexico, Beckett of North
Carolina, FRAZER cf North Dakota
Williams Of Oklahoma, BrumbauGn
CT PENNSYLVANIA. Beecllnan OF Rhod'
Island Manning of South Caroi1i1<'.
Bamberger OF Utah. Davis OF Virgin
ia, Lister Of Washington, CornweI or
West Virginia and Houx of Wyoming
and Covernors-eiect Campbell OF MI
zona. Davis CT Idaho, Allen OF Kan
sas, Coolidge Of Massachusetts,. Nc
Elyie OF Nebraska. LarraZolo o. New
Mexico. Robertson OF Oklahoma.
Ccopc.. OF South Carolina. Clement or
Vermont, Thomas Riggs. .Jr., of Alas
ka.
Governor Ham5erser will invite the
conference to meet eIt year at Salt
Lake City.