Our president knew that in every state of the Union thousands of earnest men and women and young people were ready and waiting to help win the war, but they were scattered and disorganized and a little bewildered by new developments. It would have required much time and a lot of fussing around to pass laws in Congress and every state legislature telling people what they must do in order to back up the army and navy. Fortunately we have in our country a clear majority of people who will help their country without being driven by a policeman. The president knew that if he could get word to our citizens in every corner of the country and explain to them their new duties, they could be relied upon to respond in a loyal spirit and take up any work assigned to them, not because the government ordered them to do this or that, but simply because the government asked them. The president called in some very able men who knew how to organize and direct any huge undertaking and these men, acting in cooperation with certain members of the cabinet, were called a National Council of Defense. After that each governor was asked to appoint a State Council of Defense, to be made up of men representing the chief industries and the learned professions of the state and also of leaders of organized activities which were in touch with more intelligent and patriotic men and women. As soon as these state councils had been called together and put to work, each county in every state was asked to organize a local Council of Defense. We have here in Indiana a State Council of Defense and no less than ninety-two County Councils of Defense, and they are trying to be of real help to their country. Also, they are asking every man, woman and child to take hold of the long rope and help pull the kaiser off his throne. The Indiana State Council of Defense met for the first time at the governor's office on May 19, 1917. Even before this meeting was called or any request had come from Washington, Governor Goodrich had named important committees to prepare our state to take an active and useful part in the great struggle for world-wide democracy. Governor Goodrich asked the State Council to help the federal government in all the heavy tasks of preparing for the war and staying in the war until victory had been won. The State Council and all of the County Councils have been at work for many months. The members draw no pay. They are not following any selfish motive. They are striving, as you and all of your friends are striving, to bring nearer and nearer that happy day when right shall triumph over wrong and the world may cease fighting in the knowledge that peace, founded on justice and fair play, will be waiting for all the men and women who are now boys and girls. Perhaps you have asked yourself: "How can I be of help to our Council of Defense here at home?” First of all, by thinking and talking and acting for your country and the leaders of your country. By telling yourself every morning that our cause is right and that Germany, just as General Pershing says, "can be beaten and will be beaten." By accepting the fact that, while we may have some chores to do as we go along, the only real job on hand at present is to help win the war! And this does not mean the family across the street or some one living around the corner. It means you and all of the people who live in the same house with you,. and all of your uncles and aunts and cousins. Every Council of Defense, whether it is the head body up at Washington, or the one meeting at the state-house at Indianapolis, or the one at your own county-seat, is trying to accomplish some very definite purposes. Perhaps if you know about these purposes, you will be better able to render service to your country. Here are some of them: To promote a spirit of patriotism among all people. To let it be known that this war is a gigantic undertaking and every one must lend a hand. To discourage idle gossip and unfounded criticism affecting our soldiers and sailors, and those in authority over them, and the Red Cross, and the Y. M. C. A., and all other agencies working for the good of our great cause. To make it known to all persons who have voluntarily come to live in this country that they must be loyal to the country of their adoption or else go and live somewhere else. To help in recruiting for the army and navy and securing fair treatment, without favor, for conscripted men who may claim exemption. To help working people to receive fair treatment while they are helping to win the war. To direct all kinds of labor so that it will be used to speed up work which will help our fighting and not be wasted on jobs which can be postponed until after the war. To encourage boys between the ages of sixteen and twenty-one years to enroll in the Boys' Working Reserve and take the places of soldiers going to the front, so that our farms and factories may keep up their full output, without which we can not hope to be successful. To encourage an increased production of all kinds of food and to stop the waste or the unnecessary use of any foodstuffs needed to supply our fighting forces or strengthen our Allies. To encourage a larger production of fuel and head off waste, and help in the prompt shipment of fuel to points where it can be used in the making of something used by the army and navy. To organize and prepare for service companies of men who will be known as a Liberty Guard and be at the call of the governor to repress sedition while the regular soldiers are at the front. To encourage our citizens to invest in Liberty Loan Bonds and give to the Red Cross and the Y. M. C. A., and support every other organization which is providing necessities or comforts for our brave soldiers in the training camps or in France. To muster into service doctors and nurses who will go with the army sent abroad to care for the men who are ill or wounded. To cheer and comfort and protect the families and dependents of all soldiers at the front. To be ready to receive and care for soldiers who may come back to us wounded or disabled and provide for them in every way, and especially to give employment to those who can no longer take up their former jobs. To encourage a spirit of thrift and show people how to save money through the purchase of Savings Stamps, so that the government may have use of money which would otherwise be frittered away. These are some of the things that every Council of Defense is trying to do. |