Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-04-04
Maryland's Part In The Great War.
A PAPER READ BY Miss DOROTHY CLAGETT,
AT The ROCKVILLE High SCHOOL, On
MARYLAND DAY.

MARYLAND DAY.
The General Assembly of Maryland, in
extraordinary session in June, 1917, called
by the Governor for the consideration of
measures made necessary by the war, en-
acted Chapter "a. entitled an Act Creating
and Providing for the Maryland Council of
Defense, placing its membership at not
more than fifty. and limiting its term of
Office to the duration of the war and for
such period of time thereafter as the
Governor may deem necessary for the well
fare of the State. The General Assembly
placed the main work in the hands of an
Executive Committee of five members, and
there have been general meetings Of all
members of the Council from time to time,
at which reports have been made of the
proceedings Of the Executive Committee,
and they have been duly approved by them.
The General Assembly in the same session
also enacted Chapter 8, authorizing the
creation Of State debt of 100000 for
the defense of the State in the present
war. to be used by the Executive Commit
tee by and with the sanction and approval
Of the Governor.
The purposes of the debt were stated in
fourteen paragraphs of the Act, and these
purposes had been developed by the
Preparedness and Survey Commission
appointed by the Governor in February,
1917. which Commission also suggested the
legislation which created the Maryland
Council Of Defense.
Realizing the importance of cooperative
and organized effort on the part Of the
women Of Maryland in war emergency
work. His Excellency. Governor Emerson
c. Harrington, on the 10th day Of April.
1917, appointed the Women's Prepared
ness and Survey Commission. composed Of
20 women. active in public life. to be a
State Commission. and on May 8. 1917.
appointed five women in each county as a
County Commission.
On June 9th. when the General Assem-
bly, of Maryland. by statute. created the
Maryland Council of Defense. the Woman's
Preparedness and Survey Commission then
became the Maryland Division Of the
Woman's Committee of the Council Of
National Defense.
Some of the objects Of this Council were
1. To consider all problems relating to
women and their work which may arise
during the war.
2. To coordinate work and develop the
resources of the women Of Maryland in
order to secure the highest efficiency for
war work.
8. To ascertain and report the patriotic
work now being done by women's organi-
cations.
4. To furnish direct and speedy chan
mel between the various departments Of
the Federal and State governments and
the women of Maryland.
Maryland has accomplished great deal
through its Council of Defense. More thar
100000 have been expended for CAM
Meade; measures have been taken to in
sure proper health and moral conditions
in the camp zone; the compulsory worl
law was established, being the first Of it.
kind in America; under the COMMITTEES
Statewide campaigns have been conducted
including those against waste from unsolC
bread. curtailing delivery service of stores
securing greater safety from fire. aiding
recruiting. and other services requested by
the government. Maryland was the first
to provide hospital train; first to handle
labor problems of canneries and farms
and to purchase tractors to help the farm
ers; and the law creating the Maryland
Council Of Defense has been used as q
model by other States.
Red Cross work has been carried on ex-
tensively in Maryland, and from all ap-
pearances in Montgomery county. A Com
mittee Of Red Cross workers was formed
in Montgomery county and has done very
active work. The children from the differ
ent schools in the county also helped
the Red Cross workers by making gar
ments for the suffering Belgians, and knit
ting sweaters. helmets, ETC., for the SOL
diers. They have helped to win the war,
by working for the Red Cross. while their
fathers and brothers we're fighting.
When the United States declared war.
the State of Maryland had a National
Guard composed of the First. Fourth and
Fifth Regiments Of Infantry Troop A,
Cavalry one Company Of Coast Artillery :;
one Battery of Field Artillery; a separate
Company Of Infantry. colored one Field
Hospital Unit; one Ambulance Company,
and four Divisions of Naval Militia. After
the entrance of this country into the war,
there were organized. in addition to the
above. three Companies Of Coast Artillery
and two Batteries Of Field Artillery. All
OF these troops were called into the SER
vice Of the United States, many Of whom
went TO France.
The State of Maryland has contributed
through the National Guard, through vol
unteers, and through the Selective Service
Law between $4,000 and $4,000 men.
When the National Guard was called into
the service Of the United States. the State
Of Maryland was without troops and the
Legislature. in the extraordinary session
Of 1917. authorized the organization Of the
Maryland State Guard to be composed Of
not exceeding one thousand officers and
men. There has been organized in the
State Of Maryland one regiment Of infan.
try. known as the Second Infantry. Mary
land State Guard.
Some Of our Maryland men have. had
very thrilling experiences in this great war.
know a Maryland man who was in the
battle Of Areonne Forest. He went in
with $50 men. was there rs days, and
came out with 40 men. 10 Of them being