Omaha daily bee., 1919-02-07

statement regarding his efforts to
secure the early release Of Nebraska
farmers in the service Secretary
Of War Bakers explanation of the
inadvisability of occupational dis
charges is told by the governor in
the following statement:
The primary purpose OF my going Ia
Washington was to obtain an early release
OF Nebraska men who are needed at home
on the farms and in other positions. Sec
rotary Baker advised me that all men in
camps in this country, except those who
are actually needed TO guard the camps
and 10 aid IN the rehabilitation Of forces
from overseas, would be discharged by
March l. For the men overseas the out
look Is not 50 encouraging though the sec
rotary ASSURED me that a 500,0 600 will
have been returned and discharged dur
ing the months Of January and February.
Those who are not returned at this time
will be Obliged to remain, except as they
are returned in units, and he thought II
practically impossible to obtain the release
OF men either individually or upon an oe-
cupatonal basis.
He called attention to the fact that he
could not comply with the recommends
ton for discharge OF men upon an Occupa-
tlonal basis for the reason that the sol
diers themselves would not stand for 1t.
He said that an effort TO demobili2e upon
that basis In England had almost pre-
cipitated mutiny in the army
More Difficult in Navy.
Secretary Baker did not attmpt to speak
for the navy, but l am confident from all
/ was able to learn that it will be much
more difficult to obtain the release Of men
IN that branch OF the service. am TAX.
ing the matter up again with Secretary
Daniels to ses IL / cannot obtain some def
mite information Of the intentions regard
ing rehabilitation in that branch OF the
service.
/ was Interested aso in the future milf
tary policy Of the nation and was as
sured by Secretary Baker that 1t was too
early 10 make a definite expression of
what that might be. He thought that II
the returning national guard units de-
sired to reorganize II would be well TO
encourage them in doing so. note.
since having talked with him, that con-
gress also win encourage such action.
while in Washington Provost Marshal
General Crowder. at my recommends
ton. designated Captain Anderson chief
draft officer for Nebraska. This does
not alter Captain Anderson's service and
simply gives him credit for the work
which he has been doing in connection
with the seectlve draft.
| called upon the surgeon general in
the interests Of returned soldiers who are
insane. The impression seemed to exist
among some that the states would have
TO take care OF these men and 1t would
be necessary to make additional appro-
priations for extensions at our insane
hospitals on that account.
should BE Separated.
From the surgeon general gather the
impression that such men will be cared
for wholly at the expense of the federal
~. ,afefg
bureau or by the public health service.
For the present insane patients are being
treated at St. Elizabeth's hospital in
Washington. Tho surgeon general con-
firmed my belief that 1t would be wholly
unwso and would be very much opposed
by relatives and friends TO house insane
soldiers at the same hospitals as are now
occupied by the civilian insane.
At the Department Of Justice, whore I
called in the interests Of further aid in
connection with the enforcement Of pro-
hibltion. I was given every assurance that
the fullest cooperation would be forth
coming / understand that additional men
have already been placed in Nebraska as
result of this call. and l am very hope
ful that our efforts will be greatly ac-
centuated by the cooperation Of such
trained men as the Department Of JUS
tice will furnish US.
Visit at Harrisburg.
I stopped off at Harrisburg, Pa, one
day in order that / might better inform
myself regarding the military police or
state constabuary that is maintained in
Pennsylvania Among the states that
have such police organizations. it appears
that Pennsylvania has taken the lead and
was very much impressed with what /
learned there. The work that has been
done by that organization, not only in
apprehending criminals but in preventing
crime, is highly commendable and leads
me to believe that Nebraska should have
such an organization. With the money that
has heretofore been appropriated for the
support Of the National Guard and for the
enforcement Of prohibition, we could main
tain one troop Of state police, consisting
of 60 men that would not enable US to more
fully enforce prohibition, but would be OF
very great benefit In controlling the theft
OF automobiles and would also be suffi-
cient to uuell such civil riots or disturb
ances as would exceed the power Of local
police authorities.