The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-07-09
Text Of GoUernor's Message To the Alabama Legislature

properly care and account for this val uable property, the state must provide a competent military staff in the adju- tant generals department. continuously in the service of the state, and provide for the procuring of proper storehouses and armories in the various communities maintaining military units.
 URGES FULL SUPPORT
 recommend that the Iegisla-
 ture give its unqualified support
 and endorsement by the enactment
 of proper military measures, pro-
 viding as liberal appropriations
 for the support of the National
 Guard of Alabama as the condi-
 tiOn of the states finances will
 permit. thus enabling the state to
 comply creditabIy with it's military
 obIigatiOns to itself and to the ma
 ton.
 The delay in the reorganization of our National Guard until June was be- cause of the desire of the War Depart ment to await action of the Congress as to the future national military policy, and the return of the former National Guardsmen from overseas in order that they might be given part in shaping the military policy of the state. and that those who desired to remain in the service of the stave might be utilized as nucleus for the personnel of the reorganized citizen soldiery.
 The future military policy of the United States has not yet been deter mined, but it is unquestionably true that the national guard system will form the basis upon which this policy will be founded. Recently sufficient pressure was brought to bear upon the war de-
 
 an authorization of the organization of a limited number of units in such states as could show that local conditions jus tified the presence of some organized military force Alabama now has au- thority to organize one regiment of in fantry and other organizations will be authorized as fast as units are com pleted. Reorganization is progressing faNorably.
 For the first year Alabama. in order to carry out her obligations as defined in the national defense act should main tain a military force of 200 enlisted men for each senator and congressman Ga total of 24g0 enlisted mem increasing to 500 enlisted men for each senator and rep resentative in Congress (a total of 960O enlisted mem, within four years from June 90. 1919.
 l hope you will make it possible for Alabama to do her full duty in the fu- tureby contributing for national defense, or other emergency, body of equipped, trained and disciplined citizen soldiery.
 ROADS
 In a former message I expressed the opinion that in cooperation with the national government in building public highways lies the solution of the good roads problem. The state highway commission has worked out a plan whereby the greatest possible advantage may accrue to the state and the counties through such co-opera- tioa and the recess committee on finance and taxation has provided the funds for the purpose.
 The committee suggests an in-
 crease in the license tax on motor
 vehicles with the provision that
 the entire proceeds from the tax shall be devoted to the execution
 of the plans of the highway de- partment, which will be presented to you in the form of bill. The programme of the highway depart ment and the method adopted by l the committee for carrying it out 1 meet with my hearty approval, ] qualified only to the extent that
 the execution of the plan for road
 development should be made con-
 tineent upon the adoption of the
 method of taxation to raise the . revenue for the purpose.
 WORK MEMS COMPENSATION
 Permit me to again direcs your atten i ton to this subject of workmen's com pensation act. l understand most of vol are committed to the passage of a jus and equita ble compensation law whereb, | industry must bear the financial burde1 of certain human sacrifices. Demand fo 1 this legislation is supported by agree ment of leading economists by profes