River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1919-01-16
G0v,E.L.P Phillip
GIVES MESSAGE
TOLEGISLATURE
PAWS TRIBUTE TO WISCONSIN
SOLDIERS AND CITIZENS
FOR WAR ACTIVITIES.
ADVISES STATE WAGE BOARD
SAYS Foreign Language Teaching in
Common Graded Schools Inadvis-
able - Repeal of Primary and State
Insurance Laws Recommended.

Madison. Wis.-Gov. Philips mes
cage delivered to the Wisconsin leg
.sslature at joint session of the SEN
seAe and assembly reads in part as fol-
8Dws
The Legislature of 1917 was con-
fKonted with the problems OF the war.
How to raise men and money and at
the same time carry on the industries
3god expand agriculture, in order to
Increase the food production, and the
numerous other activities that needed
70 be carried on that Wisconsin might
do her full share in the great world
gar, were problems that confronted
as at that time.
am happy to be able to report that
me 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 patr1-
otto cooperation in support OF our
government and the soldierly quill
les OF the men that we furnished for
2he army and navy that is second to
NO state in the Union, is now general
" admitted.
The splendid service rendered by
Wisconsin men to whom was given
he privilege to enter the field OF OPP
erstiOns is matter of public knowl-
edge and has been widely commented
avon by the pres sof the country. The
1hrt9e companies that were taken from
Hhe National Guard and placed in the
Rainbow Division, and the National
Guard which is part of the 32nd DlVl-
sl0n took part in some of the hardest
46onght battles of 1918. Their praise
ce0mes to us from the American and
French Generals who commanded
hem. and their work will constitute
one Of the brilliant pages OF history
9f the great world war | have full
gaith in the patriotic spirit of our
young manhood and if it had been the
privilege of the entire force OF Wis
eOnsin men to meet the enemy on the
seld of battle | am sure that they too
you'd have proven their soldierly
Qualities and would have given a
splendid account of themselves.
z ask you to pass resolutions recog-
saixing the services rendered by our
Wisconsin soldiers and our civilian
population, laying particular stress
zapOn the vaIor of our soldiers and the
patriotism of our people, in order that
aVae splendid work which has been &C
compIished will be made permanent
xecOrd and placed in the archives Of
ahis 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
gguIaaic men of the country. For those
vghO have been wounded or otherwise
disabled the course to be pursued is
quite clear. They will need to be re-
Gained in the hospitals and receive the
attention of doctors and nurses until
Sfey have recovered, or at least as
SO as medical skill can &C
@omplish their recovery.
&c has been suggested by the Secre-
cary OF the Interior that the able-bod-
bed men who are now being discharged
BE given an opportunity to secure land
and engage in farming. | agree with
ahe Honorable Secretary that it would
saa very desirable from the standpoint
Isl 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
ahis purpose. 1t will, however, be i'm
possible to adopt this suggestion for
she reason that practically all of the
aSs-caIled 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
asst of the fund to which the land be-
aOvsgs. All this land that is good for
agricultural purposes could be pur-
chased. as no doubt could the cutover
lands owned by private parties. The
,stxtss will. however, be unable to do
aais for the reason that there is a con-
ssEeutional prohibition against the
asantracting of debts by the state ex-
&SNs& IOT WAL pui 70 ooPPASNo -
@sarrection and repel invasion.
I have suggested to the Secretary OF
de interior that the lands be purchas-
sss2 by the United States Government
sgxss that in addition to the land there
he advanced to each soldier who de-
saxps TO engage in farming sufficient
suua of money to enable him to clear
"a least forty acres and erect the nee
assary buildings and purchase the live
sxax,ck that he requires, the govern.
;vxans TO own the land and other prop
sssray and give the soldier a reasonable
asmse to earn the money to pay his IN
sseastedness to the government. nso-
y.asscgl as the soldier has rendered ma
ainnaI service the matter of giving him
sn opportunity to establish himself IS
sn fact national obligation and
SHOULD as a matter of right be as
xuuaed by the United States Govern
vaeuf Whether the plan which nave
suggested or some other plan De
sdoptad is matter that Congress