Woodrow Wilson to Newton D. Baker
Title
Woodrow Wilson to Newton D. Baker
Creator
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924
Identifier
WWP25476
Date
1918 November 16
Description
President Wilson asks the Secretary of War about the politics of the State Councils of Defense.
Source
Library of Congress, Woodrow Wilson Papers
Publisher
Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Subject
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924--Correspondence
Contributor
Maria Matlock
Language
English
Provenance
Document scan was taken from Library of Congress microfilm reel of the Wilson Papers. WWPL volunteers transcribed the text.
Text
My dear Baker:
I have read the enclosed (which by the way I have not yet acknowledged) with the consciousness that there is a great deal of truth in it, and yet I want to put before you very frankly this thought: As a matter of fact, because we were obliged to commit the selection of the State Councils of Defense to the Governors of the several States, they have very generally been made in effect political organizations, and presiding as they have over the formation of local units, they have covered the country with a network of organizations which were, I believe most actively useful to the Republican party in the last campaign. I would therefore be very much obliged to you if you would tell me whether you think this impression is correct and would tell me what your judgment is as to the continuation or dissolution of these agencies.
Cordially and faithfully yours,
[Woodrow Wilson]
Hon. Newton D. Baker,
Secretary of War
Enclosure.
I have read the enclosed (which by the way I have not yet acknowledged) with the consciousness that there is a great deal of truth in it, and yet I want to put before you very frankly this thought: As a matter of fact, because we were obliged to commit the selection of the State Councils of Defense to the Governors of the several States, they have very generally been made in effect political organizations, and presiding as they have over the formation of local units, they have covered the country with a network of organizations which were, I believe most actively useful to the Republican party in the last campaign. I would therefore be very much obliged to you if you would tell me whether you think this impression is correct and would tell me what your judgment is as to the continuation or dissolution of these agencies.
Cordially and faithfully yours,
[Woodrow Wilson]
Hon. Newton D. Baker,
Secretary of War
Enclosure.
Original Format
Letter
To
Baker, Newton Diehl, 1871-1937
Files
Collection
Citation
Wilson, Woodrow, 1856-1924, “Woodrow Wilson to Newton D. Baker,” 1918 November 16, WWP25476, World War I Letters, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.