The Maryland Council of Defense was appointed by Governor
Emerson C. Harrington under an Act of the extra session of the Mary-
land Legislature held in June, 1917. The Council was organized July 11,
1917. The membership of the Council consists of the old Preparedness
and Survey Commission, which had been appointed informally by the
Governor earlier in the year, with others named by the Governor to com-
plete the required membership of fifty, of whom twenty-five are represen-
tatives of the counties of the State. General Carl B. Gray, Chairman of
the old commission, was elected Chairman of the Council. He served
until December 1, 1917, when he resigned and was succeeded by General
Francis E. Waters. This Council acts through an Executive Committee,
which consists of five citizens and the State Comptroller and the Treas-
urer, a total of seven. The Governor has the veto power on the appro-
priations of the Committee. He has attended many of its meetings
and takes a deep interest in its work. Although not a member of the
Committee, the Attorney-General, Hon. Albert C. Ritchie, has been
present at most of the meetings, and has been of great assistance to the
Committee.

The Executive Committee held its first meeting on July 11, and
organized for action. Later it elected Lynn B. Meekins, Secretary, and
Wm. O. Peirson, Treasurer, and rented offices in the Union Trust Build-
ing, Baltimore.

' ' Whenever the Executive Committee of said Council is by any act
or acts given any power of jurisdiction with respect to the disbursement
of moneys appropriated by the State, the Comptroller of the Treasury and
the State Treasurer shall constitute part of said Executive Committee, so
that in all cases the Executive Committee shall consist of the regular five
members thereof, and the Comptroller and the Treasurer."

This committee has charge of the expenditures under the Act of the
Extraordinary Session authorizing a State Debt not exceeding one mil-
lion dollars "for defense of the State in the present war."

The County Commissioners consist of 5 members in each county, the
chairman being the county member of the Council.

The Women's Section, Mrs. Edward Shoemaker, Chairman, is a
complete organization along the lines of the Council, with which it is in
close affiliation.

The Colored Division, of which Rev. Dr. Ernest Lyons is chairman,
is a complete city and State organization.

JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 1.—1917.

A Joint Resolution pledging the resources of the State of Maryland
to the United States for the successful prosecution of the war and com-
mending to the sympathetic, consideration of the people of Maryland the
formation, upon the defeat of the Imperial German Government, of a
Union of Free Nations for the Preservation of Peace.

WHEREAS, The United States is at war with the Imperial German
Government in order that the world may be made safe for democracy;

Therefore be is Resolved by the General Assembly of Maryland,
That the State of Maryland pledges all its resources to the Government
of the United States for the successful prosecution of the war.

Further Resolved, That the General Assembly of Maryland com-
mends to the sympathetic consideration of the people of this State the
formation upon the defeat of the Imperial German Government of a
union of free nations for the preservation of peace.

Further Resolved, That the Governor of the State of Maryland be
requested to transmit a copy of this Joint Resolution to the President of
the United States.
Approved June 27th, 1917.