Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-01-29
DECIDE NOT TO
HAVEAHISTORY
OF WAR WRITTEN
Former Governor Released of
Responsibility by War
Bureau


The State Commission of Public
Safety and Defence, as the "War
Board" is officially known, held its
first meeting late yesterday under
the presidency of Governor Sproul
and after arranging for legislation
for continuance of it's activities un-
der the title of the State Welfare
Commission. rescinded the action of
November establishing 3. the War
Service Bureau and the appointment
of DR.. Martin G. Brumbaugh as di-
rector.
The meeting was held in the Office
of Governor, Sproul with Lieutenant
Governor Beidleman, Auditor Gen
eral Snyder and Adjutant General
Beary in attendance. Lieutenant
Governor Frank b. McClain, Lewis
s. Sadler, State Highway Commits
sioner. and Col. Lewis E. Better,
who had been prominently identi-
fed with the activities of the Com
mission and the State Council of
National Defence, were also present.
Mr.. Beidleman became secretary
under the law and the commission
selected Mr.. McClain, who had been
supervising the work for the COM
mission for the last two years with
out any salary and also acting as
treasurer, as executive director at
$4,000 year. He will continue as
treasurer. On February l the COM
mission will have in cash $250,00O
as the balance of the $2,000,0OO
appropriation voted almost two
years ago. Harry $. McDevitt, Sec
retary to the Governor, was elected
assistant secretary at $500 a month.
I Ixrhn had hnan
retary to DR.. Brumbaugh and also
secretary to the chairman during his
term, retired January 81.
The action of the commission in
resembling the proceedings establish
ing the War Service Bureau also
carried with it, the appropriation OF
$4,000. 1t was announced after
the meeting that the commission
had given its approval. to the War
History Commission, created by the
PENNSYLVANIA Historical Commission,
of which Governor Sproul has been
chairman, and the State Council of
Defence which had made it an ap-
propriation. This commission,
whose director is Prof. Albert E.
Mckinley, of the University of Penn
sylvania, has been at work for sew
eral months and the War Board
will make appropriations to it from
time TO time.
The motion to rescind the action
of November. creating, ahe bureau
was made by Lieutenant-Gov
Beidleman with a second by Auditor
General Snyder, who also held the
proxy of State Treasurer Kephart.
Governor Sproul did not vote.
Attorney General Schaffer, who
was present during part of the meet
sN,r n1
islation. 1t is proposed to introduce
bills into the General Assembly for
better covering activities of the COM
mission during the period of read
justment on a peace basis. This Will
be under the name of the Public
Welfare Commission and American
ization and Home Defence Police
will be two of the featues of work
to be undertaken, while close atten-
ton will be given to labor and en-
ployment. Pending enactment OF
this legislation, which Mr.. Schafer
will prepare at once, the commission
will continue its work under Mr..
McClain.
1t is planned to make the Home
Depense Police an active body and
commissions issued for one year
will be reissued until the end of the
war. The Pennsylvania Reserve
Militia was commended and Adju-
tant General Beary left last night
for Washington to confer with War
Department officials regarding the
ideas of the commission. The Mill
tia will be continued until a new
National Guard is formed.
The Women's Council of defence
will be continued under new name
and the details of the activities
were left to Mr.. McClain. Agricul-
tnraI matters were deferred until a
later meeting. w
In the matter. of the eighteen en-
ployment agencies which the State
is operating at a cost of S9,4O0 a
month, steps, will be taken by Mr..
McClain to have the United States
authorities, who have been cooper
ating with the state, restore the
previous status of the state agencies.
The State Council of National De-
fence will continue in modihed
way, it's scope having been reduced
and expenses cut down by Mr.. NC
Claim recently. 1t is the plan to
form a statewide executive commit
tee to act with the State Welfare
Commission, when created and to
have local bodies to cooperate in
various sections.
The Food Administration, whose
work and expenses were cut down
last month, was assigned three Of
fees in Philadelphia until the mid
die of February.
A plan to reduce floor space used
in the Philadelphia offices was dis
cussed and Mr.. McClain will carry