USA > Ohio > Ohio legislative history, 1913-1917 > Part 25
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"You can be grateful to the Almighty that you have lived in times like these, with their boundless opportunity to render a great service to the world. You can be grateful for the governmental institutions of freedom and equal chance, and you can be grateful to stand here as representatives of a great state that has never failed to perform its part when a crisis came.
"If the achievements of Ohio were taken from the history of the Civil War, the student would hardly be interested in its context. If leadership in that struggle meant anything then we can proudly reflect upon Ohio having supplied the three great generals of our armies. You have traditions to maintain on foreign soil. You not only are a part of the great national army, but you are sons of Ohio, and in your veins courses the blood of rugged men who exalted our citizenship.
"It is a singular coincidence that history repeats itself in military formation. You are brigaded again with the famous 69th New York regiment. In the Civil War, the Fourth Ohio, and the 69th New York were in the Second Army corps under the superb Hancock. Their soldiers fought and died on many famous fields, and at Gettysburg they helped to make the result of that great contest. The 69th lost more men killed in battle than any other New York regiment during the Civil War, and has kept up a continuous service from that time until now. The Fourth Ohio has not had a continuous history although it took part in the Porto Rican campaign during the Spanish-American War, and as now constituted it represents every part of the state because men have been drawn into it from every company in the Ohio National Guard.
"How happy it is to reflect upon the meaning of the scenes before us here. Side by side in this division stand the sons of men who opposed each other in sectional hate at Gettysburg, at Antietam and at Chickamauga. The new genera- tion looks back with equal pride upon Northern bravery and Southern valor. We proudly claim as Americans the military genius of Grant and Lee, of Sherman and Johnson. What a happy day it is for the old heroes who now look down from beyond the skies, and see this Union of the states-a brotherhood that will last as long as time itself.
"We, of the finite mind, know not what is before you. It is not necessary in proof of your patriotism, nor of your heroism, to overdraw what lies ahead, and there is no desire to minimize the possibilities. War has its grim realities. You know its meaning better than I. God alone knows what part you may have to play. We know, however, that any task imposed by your nation's order will be done with zeal and bravery. We have no fears about your conduct. We know that the bayonet of no Ohio soldier will be disgraced by the blood of a woman or of a child. We believe in your chivalry as well as your bravery. Your going makes us sad but proud. I will carry home to the hills and valleys of your fair state, the picture of your resolute and happy faces as you turn toward the sea. We will pray for your safety and your comfort. We will ask that the warmth of sun temper the blasts of winter, and that the stars of night shine out to you as the vigilant sentinels of our love. Godspeed you boys, and when you come back as part of the world's great victorious army, whether in broken or solid ranks, some one from the state will be here to speak a welcome."
CHAPTER IV Ohio Sends Christmas Gifts To Soldiers
G T OVERNOR COX when bidding goodbye to Ohio soldiers at Columbus bound for Camp Sheridan, Alabama, promised them he would be with them at Christmas if they were on American soil, and he did so according to the programme laid down in the circular letter which follows :
State Will Send Gifts To Ohio Boys at Camp Sheridan
Every citizen of Ohio owes a debt of gratitude to our boys who have been called to the colors. Christmas is near at hand and we will want to remember these lads with gifts of love and appreciation. Especially will we want to send gifts to our boys down at Camp Sheridan, Montgomery, Alabama. Many of them will be away from home this Christmas for the first time in their lives.
These boys are in training for the greatest fighting forces that ever took the field, but after all, they are only boys, and it will be to the lasting shame of every citizen of this state, if there is a single one whose heart aches, Christmas morning because he was empty-handed, while others of his command are rejoicing over the thought that they have been remembered.
Many weeks ago, Governor Cox foresaw the danger of the mails and trans- portation facilities being over-burdened at Christmas time and the possibility of some of our boys at Camp Sheridan being disappointed through no fault of the folks at home. Then, too, there was the danger of difficulty in distribution of the gifts when they reached the big camp. Governor Cox believed it to be the duty of the state to see that every gift sent to the soldiers at Camp Sheridan is delivered. Realizing too, that many of these boys come from homes that can ill afford to pay large express charges, the Governor conceived this plan :
The state of Ohio will receive all gifts addressed to soldiers at Camp Sheridan and deliver them to Montgomery, supervising their distribution. Express, or parcel post charges must be prepaid to Columbus only, from Columbus they go at the state's expense.
Colonel J. E. Gimperling, Assistant Adjutant General, who is in charge of the Montgomery special has distributed several thousand shipping tags to be used in addressing packages to the boys at Camp Sheridan. These packages are now arriving at Columbus and are being prepared for shipment at the state arsenal.
All packages must be in Columbus by December 18. Shortly thereafter, they will be on their way in the special cars chartered by the state for Montgomery.
Governor and Mrs. Cox plan to be in Montgomery, Christmas day to par- ticipate in the many exercises planned for the occasion.
It will be possible for friends of the Ohio boys at Camp Sheridan to visit them Christmas time at a reduced rate. Colonel Gimperling of the Adjutant
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General's office is anxious to know just how many contemplate taking the trip. Those intending to go should notify him at once.
The undertaking was a great success and not a single Ohio boy at Camp Sheridan was overlooked or neglected. Governor and Mrs. Cox went with the special train of ten cars and gave their personal attention to the proper distribution of gifts to the men.
CHAPTER V
Thanksgiving Proclamation by Governor Cox 1917
O UR fathers established the custom of a concerted giving of thanks to the Almighty, because they held firmly to the belief that He rules the things of earth, and that both blessings and reverses are dispensed by an all-wise hand for a purpose.
From the present unhappy events of the world, and our part in them, there is much for reflection. The observation that institutions born of progress are creaking at their very base because of a lofty idealism, may seem at first thought to be at fault, still it cannot be denied that the force behind the war is a protest against injustice. To hold ourselves away from this movement would be an abandonment of the principles that established and maintained our republic.
The finite mind may wonder why it is, but no advance in the con- ditions of man or nations is made without sacrifice. There would be no nobility to an ideal if it did not arouse the spirit to shake itself from the materialistic view, and abandon every thought save for the common good. Our fathers passed through the experience of threatened disas- ter, to plant human freedom on soil where God intended it should grow into an inspiration to the hopes of others.
This generation has lived in the full fruits of plenty and content- ment. An unbroken peace and prosperity has developed the hard-pan of indifference. We are to be enriched in character by the awakened realization that what we have under our government is worth sacrificing for, and that we will exalt humanity by giving of our resource and strength in order that other races may know and enjoy the blessings common to us.
Our harvests are abundant - more than our needs; if we mark the difference between extravagant self-indulgence, and reasonable necessity. We have been spared from pestilence. We have the sub- stance and the purpose to help make the world free from the germ of autocratic denial of human rights. Age and experience point to the lessons and noble unselfishness of the past, and youth resolutely comes forward to the task of the hour.
Our belief in God grows and we are grateful that in time of trial, we are an increasingly reverent people. Our virtues are aroused, and a purer-hearted citizenship will make a stouter-hearted nation.
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Therefore in the better view, we should lift our hearts to a humble acknowledgment of our debt.
In compliance with law and custom, and upon the recommendation of the President of the United States, I, James M. Cox, Governor of the State of Ohio, respectfully urge that the people of the state ob- serve Thursday, November twenty-ninth, as Thanksgiving Day, in their homes, public assemblies and places of worship. Let families come to- gether wherever possible, and let thanks ascend to the Giver of.all gifts and blessings, with the prayer that we may continue unselfishly and wholeheartedly to render the greatest service to mankind.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto subscribed my name and caused the Great Seal of the State of Ohio to be affixed, in Columbus, this fourteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord Nineteen hundred and seventeen.
(Signed) JAMES M. Cox, Governor.
WILLIAM D. FULTON,
Secretary of State.
CHARLES E. MORRIS, Secretary to Governor James M. Cox, 1917-1918.
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OHIO LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
ROBERT T. CREW Executive Clerk to the Governor
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Born August 30, 1886, at Zanes- ville, Ohio, the son of Joshua T. and Mary W. Crew. Educated in the Zanesville public schools and later took two years' law preparatory course in classics at Washington and Jefferson College, Washington, Pa. Entered newspaper work on the Zanesville Signal in 1908, and from 1910 to 1912 was the assistant city editor of the Columbus, Ohio, Citi- zen. On April Ist, 1912, became pri- vate secretary to Congressman George White of Marietta. In 1916, entered Ohio State University law college to complete law course started at
Georgetown University in Washing- ton, D. C. Admitted to the Ohio bar in 1916. Practiced law thereafter in Zanesville. Appointed Executive Clerk to Governor Cox July 1, 1917.
Mr. Crew resigned his position as Executive Clerk in July, 1918, and joined the Central Officers' Training Camp for Field Artillery at Camp Zachary Taylor at Louisville, Kentucky.
His successor as Executive Clerk is Grover Cleveland Maxwell, a young attorney from Cincinnati, O., formerly with the legal department of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio.
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OHIO LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
WILLIAM T. DONALDSON, State Budget Commissioner
Since the year 1914 Ohio has been perfecting a State Budget system until now it can be said there is every protection assured to the Treasury as well as to all legitimate claimants. The gentleman who occupies the re- sponsible post of Budget Commis- sioner, William T. Donaldson is specially qualified for the place by his education and experience. Mr. Donaldson was born on a farm in Steuben County, New York, April 25th, 1882. His father Henry Donald- son was also born in New York. The son William was educated in the pub- lic schools, Alfred Academy, Alfred, N. Y., and Alfred University, gradu- ating with the degree A. B. in 1908. He also attended the University of Wisconsin, taking a scientific course in Political Science, more par- ticularly Budgets and Legislation, graduating with the degree A. M. In the year 1914 Mr. W. O. Heffernan Ohio's first Budget Commis- sioner appointed Mr. Donaldson his deputy, which place was held by Mr. Donaldson until he was appointed Commissioner by Governor Cox in March, 1917.
Ohio has never had any satisfactory system for the consideration of claims until a bill was passed by the 82d General Assembly, creat- ing a "Sundry Claims Board" and provides that said board shall in- vestigate all claims against the state and submit written statement of facts together with its recommendations to the Finance Committee, the purpose being to make it easy and inexpensive for legitimate claimants to get their money, and at the same time protect the State Treasury. Ohio is the first state to adopt this idea of providing a simple and inex- pensive method for disposing of claims against the state.
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OHIO LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
ADJUTANT GENERAL LAYTON
In the year 1917 at the beginning of the great war for human liberty, and in which tremendous cataclysm Ohio is playing so prominent a part the Ohio National Guard was in splendid condition for the start against the "Huns". When the call was made by the Federal govern- ment for mobilization of the different state forces, and for volunteers, Gov- ernor Cox immediately responded in such fashion that the proud Buckeye State was ready in a few weeks with a full Division of volunteers for the support of freedom throughout the world. During the mobilization of the Ohio National Guard General George H. Wood was in direct com- mand, and he continued as Adjutant General until in 1918 he was appointed a Colonel in active service with the U. S. army in France. This left a vacancy which was filled by Governor Cox in the appointment of Roy Everett Layton.
Adjutant General Layton was born at Wakaponeta, Auglaize County, Ohio, July 23d, 1873, son of Hon. Fernando C. Layton who was for three terms Congressman from the fourth Ohio district, and is now Common Pleas Judge.
The son Roy was educated in the public schools at Wapakoneta and he graduated from High School in 1899. He attended Ohio State University taking the Literary Course graduating in 1895 with the degree B. of A. and he graduated from the law course in 1897 with the degree LL. B.
Mr. Layton practiced law at Wapakoneta meanwhile serving as second Lieutenant Co. L, 2d Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the Spanish- American war being mustered out as captain. He was appointed Ad- jutant General of Ohio by Governor Cox July 22d, 1918.
On April 30th, 1914, Mr. Layton was joined in marriage with Miss Anna Myers of Oakwood, Paulding County, Ohio.
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OHIO BRANCH COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
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1. Governor James M. Cox, Chairman. 2. Hon. James E. Campbell. 3. Dr. W. O. Thomp- son. 4. Mr. B. H. Kroger. 5. Mr. Paul L. Feiss. 6. Mr. James P. Feiser. 7. Mr. S. P. Bush. 8. Hon. M. R. Denver. 9. Mr. Thomas J. Donnelly. 10. Mr. H. S. Firestone. 11. Hon. Daniel J. Ryan. 12. Mr. James W. Faulkner. 13. Hon. David Tod. 14. Col. H. E. Talbott. 15. Mr. C. M. Eikenberry. 16. Mr. W. W. Thornton. 17. Mr. Joseph R. Nutt.
OHIO BRANCH COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
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1. Mr. Fred C. Croxton, Vice-Chairman. 2. Gen. J. Warren Keifer. 3. Mr. S. O. Rich- ardson. 4. Mr. W. G. Stone. 5. Mr. M. J. Caples. 6. Mr. L. J. Baber. 7. Mr. Frank P. Donnenwirth. 8. Mr. J. V. B. Scarborough. 9. Mr. John Moore. 10. Dr. C. E. Sawyer. 11. Mr. Frank E. Myers. 12. Mr. J. L. Morrill, Secretary. 13. Miss Belle Sherwin. 14. Mr. John P. Frey. 15. Mr. A. A. Augustus. 16. Mr. John J. Quinlivan. 17. Mr. James Wilson.
THE OHIO BRANCH COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
ORGANIZATION.
The Ohio Branch, Council of National Defense, was created on Friday, June 1, 1917, by appointment of Governor James M. Cox, chair- man.
Its announced purpose was: To mobilize Ohio's resources for war ; to place the state on a war time basis-linking up with the government's war program Ohio's energies of labor, capital, finance, transportation, mining, food production and industry ; and to carry out suggestions of the government expressed through the Council of National Defense or other governmental agencies.
Ohio Branch, Council of National Defense, unlike Councils in some states, does not have legal status, either by act of Congress or of the State Legislature, but functions as a war cabinet advisory to the Governor, and operating through
I. Cooperation of state departments,
2. Woman's Committee throughout the state, auxiliary to the Council,
3. The corps of eighty-eight county war, food and crop. commis- sioners, one in each county of the state,
4. Local Defense Councils and war units of various kinds, organ- ized on local initiative in some counties and cities in Ohio,
5. The cooperative assistance of allied war agencies in the state. as, for instance, the American Red Cross, the United States Public Ser- vice Reserve, the Boys' Working Reserve, the Department of Agricultural Extension, at Ohio State University, and others.
STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE OHIO BRANCH COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
1. Finance - Mr. Joseph R. Nutt. Cleveland Cleveland Trust & Savings Co.
Mr. Frank P. Donnenwirth. Bucyrus Colonel H. E. Talbott. Dayton Mr. David Tod. Youngstown
2. Food Conservation and Supply -
C. M. Eikenberry. Hamilton
The Eikenberry Bros. Co.
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Dr. W. O. Thompson. Columbus
President Ohio State University.
Mr. James W. Faulkner. Columbus Cincinnati Enquirer, Outlook Bldg.
Mr. B. H. Kroger Cincinnati Wholesale and Retail Grocer.
Mr. J. V. B. Scarborough Cincinnati Mr. L. J. Taber Barnesville . Mr. W. W. Thornton. Akron
"Akron Press."
3. Labor and Industrial Relations -
Mr. Fred C. Croxton. Columbus Chairman Labor Division, Ohio Branch
Council of National Defense.
Mr. S. P. Bush. Columbus
Pres. Buckeye Steel Castings Co.
Mr. Thomas J. Donnelly. Columbus
320-21 Cols. Sav. & Trust Bldg.
Mr. Paul L. Feiss. Cleveland 632 St. Clair Ave., N. W.
Mr. H. S. Firestone. Akron Manufacturer.
Mr. John P. Frey Cincinnati Editor Iron Moulders' Journal, 707 Com- mercial-Tribune Bldg.
Mr. John J. Quinlivan. Toledo
First Vice President, Ohio State Federation of Labor, 314 Cherry St.
Mr. D. J. Ryan. Columbus General Counsel, Ohio Manufacturers' Ass'n., New Hayden Bldg.
Mr. James Wilson. Cincinnati Patternmakers' League of North America, Second National Bank Bldg.
4. Legal -
Hon. James E. Campbell Columbus 8 E. Broad St.
Gen. J. Warren Keifer Springfield Mr. D. J. Ryan Columbus
General Counsel, Ohio Manufacturers' Ass'n., New Hayden Bldg.
5. Mining -
Mr. A. A. Augustus Cleveland Cambridge Colliery Company.
Hon. James E. Campbell. Columbus
8 East Broad St.
Gen. J. Warren Keifer Springfield
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OHIO LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
Mr. John Moore. Columbus President Ohio Federation of Mine Workers, Ruggery Bldg.
Mr. W. W. Thornton Akron "Akron Press."
Mr. David Tod. Youngstown
6. Publicity -
Mr. James W. Faulkner. Columbus Cincinnati Enquirer, Outlook Bldg.
Mr. W. W. Thornton. Akron
7. Transportation -
Mr. M. J. Caples Columbus
Spahr Bldg.
Mr. S. P. Bush. Columbus
Pres. Buckeye Steel Castings Co.
Mr. James W. Faulkner Columbus Cincinnati Enquirer, Outlook Bldg.
Mr. B. H. Kroger Cincinnati Wholesale and Retail Grocer.
Mr. S. O. Richardson. Toledo
Vice-Pres. Libby Glass Co. .
Mr. W. S. Stone Cleveland
President Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers, Engineers' Bldg.
Colonel H. E. Talbott Dayton
Mr. Frank E. Myers. Ashland
Implement Manufacturer.
WOMAN'S COMMITTEE OHIO BRANCH COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE
OFFICERS Chairman
Mrs. George Zimmerman Fremont
Miss Belle Sherwin. Acting Chairman
Columbus
State House
Vice Chairmen Mrs. S. B. Sneath Mrs. Lawrence Maxwell Mrs. W. O. Thompson Mrs. Malcolm L. McBride Mrs. Paul Woolley Miss Edith Campbell
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Secretary
Mrs. Elizabeth Wolf.
.. Dayton
Treasurer Mrs. Clarence E. Mack
Executive Secretary Miss Lucia B. Johnson
Field Secretary Miss Marie H. Milliken
FRED C. CROXTON.
When the history of Ohio's record of the world war is written, the name of Fred C. Croxton will have a conspicuous place in prac- tically all activities of the State in support of the Nation.
Mr. Croxton has been called "Ohio's Chief War Worker." His name, like that of Mr. Herbert Hoover, is known in every household.
As Federal Food Administrator for the State it has been his duty to carry out all food regulations promulgated by the United States Food Administration. This has been his one big job. He is not, in any sense, the Food Dictator. All of his "orders" have been put out in the form of requests, accompanied by the suggestion that compliance means patriotic service. It has been his policy in all cases to secure voluntary support of all food regulations and in this policy he has been highly successful.
In the beginning of the Food Administration he secured the volun- tary co-operation of all food handling trades in the States, besides secur- ing the pledge of nearly 500,000 housewives to voluntarily comply with all requests of the Food Administration.
Mr. Croxton was one of the first State Food Administrators to adopt the policy of penalizing violators of the Food Administration by requiring violators to make a contribution to the Red Cross, Y. M. C. A. and Knights of Columbus War Funds. This form of punish- ment has been most effective and has been adopted by Food Adminis- trators in practically every State in the Union.
As Vice-chairman of the Ohio Defense Council, Mr. Croxton has had a directing hand in practically all war work in the State. When Governor Cox formed his War Cabinet at the beginning of the War, he made Mr. Croxton the active director of all war work. One of his
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first tasks was to increase production and mobilize the labor of the State. Mr. Croxton was peculiarly fitted for this work. He was originally a farmer and knew the farmer's problems and was thor- oughly conversant with labor problems and the cost of living in cities.
He spent 21 years as statistician for the Federal Bureau of Labor and Immigration, working for the Government.
When the Ohio Industrial Commission was established, a few years ago, he was brought to Columbus from Washington as chief statistician and chief mediator. In this connection he gained a thorough knowledge of industrial and labor problems in this State.
In the year 1916 he severed his connection with the Industrial Commission, to become Social Service Director for the Ohio Institute for Public Efficiency. By this organization he was loaned to the State for the period of the war.
Mr. Croxton is giving 24 hours a day in the service of the State and Nation without compensation.
Besides being Food Administrator of the State and Active Chair- man of the Ohio Branch Council of National Defense, he is also Federal Director for Ohio of the U. S. Employment Service and State Director of the U. S. Public Service Reserve. He is connected in an advisory capacity with the National Labor Administration and has recently given considerable of his time in Washington in assisting in drafting a new Nation-wide program for recruiting of labor during war time.
Like her husband, Mrs. Croxton is deeply interested in food con- servation. She is chairman of the Food Conservation Committee in her Ward in Columbus and spends much time in patriotic work. The Croxtons have two sons, Frederick, 19, who is now in a military train- ing camp for college boys at Fort Sheridan, Illinois, and Frank, IT years.
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OHIO LEGISLATIVE HISTORY.
JAMES LEWIS MORRILL
There has been no more busy man about the state capitol since the Ohio Branch Council of National Defense was formed than the subject to this sketch. Mr. Morrill has been a most loyal and industrious assistant to Mr. Croxton and he is one of the young men of Ohio who is rendering even more valuable service to his country's cause than if he were in uniform at the front.
James L. Morrill was born at Marion, O., September 24, 1891. His father, Harry B. Morrill, was born at Norwalk, Huron County, Ohio. The son James attended the public schools and High school at Marion and he graduated in the Arts and Journalism at Ohio State University in 1913. Mr. Morrill was married to Miss Freda Rhodes, of Marion, O., June 22, 1915. They have a son born April 28, 1916. Mr. Morrill first served as a reporter on the Cleveland Press, and he came to Coluni- bus as a press correspondent for the "Scripps" League under the direc- tion of Mr. C. C. Lyon who is now in France.
HON. WILLIAM D. FULTON, Secretary of State.
DEPARTMENT OF SECRETARY OF STATE
The office of Secretary of State is of constantly increasing responsi- bility in Ohio and the occupant of this high post must possess fine legal ability in order to properly interpret the state election laws and to suc- cessfully administer the corporation laws of the commonwealth. The authorized increase of capital stock of domestic corporations in Ohio during the year ending June 30, 1918, was $409,310,240. The receipts from the Division of Automobiles were $2,160,360.96, which is an in- crease for the fiscal year of $418,627.25. The operating expenses of the Automobile department for the year were $138,883.76 and the entire 269.95.
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