352 THE MONTHLY BULLETIN. 



STATE COUNCIL OF DEFENSE. 



By A. H. Naftzger, Vice Chairman, State Council of Defense. 



When our participation in the world-wide war became inevitable, Governor 

 Stephens, who had been for years an earnest advocate of preparedness, began the 

 work of putting California in the best condition to bear her part in the struggle. 

 At his request the legislature passed an act creating the State Council of Defense, 

 and it so happened that war was declared by Congress on April 5 and on the follow- 

 ing day the State Council of Defense was organized and immediately began activity 

 in many directions. 



Briefly stated, the purpose for which the council was created was to take into 

 consideration all matters, affecting the welfare and safety of the people of California, 

 occasioned by war. 



The first urgent matter to which the council of defense gave its attention was 

 that of increased food production, because food is very likely to determine the 

 outcome of this war. Everything possible, therefore, was done to stimulate more 

 plauting, especially of beans, rice and potatoes, articles which are all of prime 

 importance in supplying the requirements of our allies and the neutral countries. 

 Other subjects were promptly taken up by committees appointed for the purpose, and 

 many questions affecting the welfare of the people have been given careful attention, 

 such, for instance, as the protection of power plants, dams, flumes, tunnels, bridges, 

 etc. ; the protection of property, especially grainfields, warehouses and mills, from 

 destruction by fire ; increase of forage for producing meat ; methods of curing and 

 saving the fruits and vegetables by drying and canning, and many other similar 

 questions. 



All of this time the food question, especially as to breadstuffs, rice, sugar and 

 beans, has been of overshadowing importance, and the State Council of Defense 

 has engaged in a state-wide propaganda, not only for the greater production of these 

 staples, but for conservation and the minimizing of waste in the use of food. 



Closely related to the food question is that of farm labor. This is of vital issue 

 all over the United States, as there is everywhere a shortage of farm help. This is 

 due to various causes. Many thousands of foreigners have been called home to 

 fight, and immigration into our country has ceased. Manufacturing and other 

 industries, such as railroading, lumbering, etc., have made heavy demands for labor 

 at increased wages. The farm is the last place that men are willing to work. In 

 addition to all these other causes the calling of the National Guard into service and 

 the demand for men in the Army and Navy, and finally the conscription, have all 

 tended to take men from the farms, if not directly, then indirectly, for the man that 

 is taken into military service leaves an opening for some other man, and finally the 

 man from the farm fills the gap. 



Much time and considerable money have been devoted to the cause of farm labor by 

 the State Council of Defense, through its committee and directly. Thousands of 

 high school boys have been mobilized for farm work, especially for fruit harvesting. 



One of the most important accomplishments of the State Council of Defense has 

 been the creation of the county councils of defense in all counties of California. 

 Through this medium the work has been carried directly to the people and its 

 importance pressed upon them. Space does not permit detailed statement of what 

 has been accomplished through the county councils of defense. First of all has been 

 the maintenance of quiet and good order among the people, and a restraining 

 influence has been exercised against such as sympathize with our enemy in this 

 war, and then all the other many questions that directly affect the people under war 

 conditions have had the attention of the county councils of defense. 



