Initial messages of Governor W. P. Hobby to the thirty-sixth legislature, state of Texas: Jan. 14, 1919 and Jan. 22, 1919. Page: 5 of 32
This book is part of the collection entitled: Texas History Collection and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the UNT Libraries.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
GOV]RNOR'S MESSAGES.
5
the Secretary of War on the operation
of the draft in the United States
has not been completed. His last
report (subdivision 2, page 30) shows
that in the several States the per
capita cost of men accepted for military
service ranges between $1.57
and $19.00. His report further shows
that the average cost per capita in
the various States has been $4.93 and
that the per capita cost in Texas has
been $3.88. Considering the size of
the State and ithe natural obstacles
confronting us in the administration
of the draft in Texas, this record is
remarkably good and conclusively
indicates the economical and efficient
manner in which the Selective Service
Law has been administered in
Texas.
As a means of raising an army the
draft has been a signal success in
Texas. The Selective Service Law
has been administred honestly and
efficiently without fear or favor and
those citizens who could best be
spared from the industrial and home
life of our State have been sent to
camp' while those engaged in civilian
pursuits essential to the winning of
the war and those who have dependent
families have been permitted to
remain at home.
One of the most important incidents
of, the draft has been the physical
examination of thousands of the
young men of Texas by competent
patriotic physicians. The men placed
in the deferred classes were not examined
physically; the examinations
covering only those men determined
by the boards to be immediately
available for military service. These
examinations were made with great
care; some twenty thousand doubtful
cases being referred by the local
boards to specialists composing the
medical advisory boards for special
study and re-examination. While the
result of these examinations compare
favorably with the results obtained
in other States, it is alarming to note
that among the comparatively small
number of men examined, it was discovered
that approximately twentyfive
hundred are suffering ,from consumption
or are inclined toward incipient
tuberculosis. We discovered
approxima'tely six hundred cases of
epilepsy, about 450 of whic'h were
outside of the State Epileptic colony
and probably unknown to the officials
in charge of the colony. We also discovered
several hundred cases of
trachoma as well as other less viciouscontagious diseases too numerous to
enumerate here.
Major Townes has prepared a detailed
list showing the names and
addresses of the various men afflicted
with these disorders. A large
per cent of these afflicted citizens
can no dou'bt be entirely cured. In
my judgment we would be derelict
in our duty if we should fail to avail
ourselves of the valuable data compiled
by the Selective Service Department
with a view of improving the
public health of the State.
Major Townes has completed and
submitted to me a most interesting
and valuable detailed report covering
the operation of the draft in Texas.
This report is available for the information
of the Legislature.
Adjutant General's Department.
Under the direction of the Governor,
the Adjutant General has accomplished
the organization of two
brigades of cavalry and one brigade
of infantry, a total of 534 officers and
14,723 enlisted men. The two brigades
composing the cavalry section
of the National Guard were first completed
and Federal recognition was
accorded them in August, 1918.
They were designated by the War
Department for training at Leon
Springs, and a~t the conpletion of a
ten weeks' course in the Cenitral Cavalry
Officers' Training Camp, they
were ordered to be mobilized for active
service on January 2, 1919. The
infantry brigade was also designated
by the Secretary of War for Federal
Service. The cost of organization
and administration of the National
Guard was substantially $202,549.84,
a per capita cost of approximately
$12.00. The sum of $43,098 was
paid out of the fund appropriated
for military purposes to the officers
of the Thirty-sixth Division as a refund
for organization expenses borne
by them. To meet this expense
$64,363.71 of the $350,000 appropriation
last made by the Thirty-fifth
Legislature was used, leaving unexpended
of that appropriation $285,636.29.
In addition to the organization of
the New Texas National Guard, Adjutant
General Harley has had direct
charge of the Texas Ranger force.
In my opinion this force has never
rendered more efficient service to the
State and to the Federal Government
since its organization than dur
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This book can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Book.
Hobby, W. P. Initial messages of Governor W. P. Hobby to the thirty-sixth legislature, state of Texas: Jan. 14, 1919 and Jan. 22, 1919., book, 1919; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth5863/m1/5/?rotate=90: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; .