Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1919-01-21
GOV. Philip
GIVES MESSAGE
TOLECISLATURE
PAYS TRIBUTE TO WISCONSIN
SOLDIERS AND CITIZENS
FOR WAR ACTIVITIES.
ADVISES STATE WAGE BOARD
Says Foreign Language Teaching In
Common Graded Schools lnadvis-
able Repeal of Primary and State
Insurance Laws Recommended.

Madison, Wis.-Gov. Philips mes
sage delivered to the Wisconsin leg
islature at a joint session of the SEN
ate and assembly reads in part as fol
lows:
The Legislature of 1917 was con-
fronted with the problems of the war.
How to raise men and money and at
the same time carry on the industries
and expand agriculture, in order to
increase the food production, and the
numerous other activities that needed
to be carried on that Wisconsin might
do her full share in the great world
war, were problems that confronted
US at that time.
am happy to be able to report that
the people of this commonwealth met
every demand made upon them by the
federal government completely, prompt
~ and with enthusiasm. That this
state has made a reputation for patri-
otto cooperation in support of our
government and the soldierly quill
ties of the men that we furnished for
the army and navy that is second to
no state in the Union, is now general
ly admitted.
The splendid service rendered by
the privilege to enter the field of op-
erations is a matter of public knowl-
edge and has been widely commented
upon by the pres sof the country. The
three companies that were taken from
the National Guard and placed in the
Rainbow Division, and the National
Guard which is part of the 32nd Divi-
sion took part in some of the hardest
fought battles of 1918. Their praise
comes to us from the American and
French Generals who commanded
them, and their work will constitute
one of the brilliant pages of history
of the great world war. l have full
faith in the patriotic spirit of our
young manhood and if it had been the
privilege of the entire force of Wis
consin men to meet the enemy on the
field of battle l am sure that they too
would have proven their soldierly
qualities and would have given a
splendid account of themselves.
l ask you to pass resolutions recog-
nizing the services rendered by our
Wisconsin soldiers and our civilian
population, laying particular stress
upon the valor of our soldiers and the
patriotism of our people, in order that
the splendid work which has been ac-
complished will be made permanent
record and placed in the archives of
this state for the information of future
generations.
Reconstruction.
The question of what should be done
for the returning soldier is being
widely discussed by the press and
public men of the country. For those
who have been wounded or otherwise
disabled the course to be pursued is
quite clear. They will need to be re-
tanned in the hospitals and receive the
attention of doctors and nurses until
they have recovered, or at least as
nearly so as medical skill can &C
complish their recovery.
1t has been suggested by the Secre-
tary of the Interior that the able-bod-
led men who are now being discharged
be given an opportunity to secure land
and engage in farming. | agree with
the Honorable Secretary that it would
be very desirable from the standpoint
of the soldier and the state if such an
opportunity were given to returning
soldiers who desire it.
1t has been suggested that the state
lands be opened to homesteads for
this purpose. 1t will, however, be i'm
possible to adopt this suggestion for
the reason that practically all of the
so-called state lands are merely held
In trust for the benefit of the various
school funds and must, therefore, be
sold to The highest bidder in the inter
est o. the fund to which the land be-
longs. All this land that is good for
agricultural purposes could be pur-
chased, as no doubt could the cutoyer
lands owned by private parties. The
state will. however, be unable to do
this for the reason that there is con-
stitutioual prohibition against the
contracting IF debts by the state ex-
cept for war purposes, TO suppress in
surrection and repel invasion.
have suggested to the Secretary OF
the Interior that the lands be purchas-
ed hv the United States Government
and that in addition to the land there
be advanced 10 each soldier who de-
sires to engage in farming a sufficient
sum of money 10 enable him to clear
Of least forty acres and erect the nee
essary buildings and purchase the live
stock that he requires, the govern
ment to own the land and other prop
erty and give the soldier reasonable
time TO earn the money to pay his in
debtedness to the government. Inso-
much as the soldier has rendered ma
tional service the matter of giving him
an opportunity to establish himself is
In fact a national obligation and
should as a matter of right be as
sumed by the United States Govern
ment. Whether the plan which l have
suggested or some other plan De
adopted is matter that Congress
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