Resolution Endorsing President Woodrow Wilson and Congress

This resolution was adopted four days after the United States of America declared war on the German Empire during World War I, on April 10, 1917.

Whereas; in the present crisis our Administration needs all the assistance they can possibly get from every section of the country, and from every line of industry, and

Whereas; the members of This Association feel that our Chief Executive has expressed the thoughts and sentiment of the whole American people, and

Whereas; we heartily endorse his action and the action of Congress in declaring war upon Germany,

Therefore Be it Resolved; that This Assn. go on record pledging itself to uphold this Government in any movement it may undertake to press this war to a successful conclusion, and

Be it Further Resolved; that a copy of this resolution be sent to President Wilson at Washington D.C. and a copy of same be spread upon the minutes of this Assn.

Atlanta Association of
Bldg Owners & Managers
By, Fred Shaefer
Secretary

Media Response to the Resolution 

The resolution Endorsing President Woodrow Wilson and Congress passed by the Atlanta Association of Building Owners and Managers was the subject of an article in the April 15, 1917, issue of The Atlanta Constitution. The article states, “So far as the Atlanta Association of Building Owners and Managers is concerned President Woodrow Wilson is going to have unstinted support in anything he does to prosecute the war against Germany.”

The Atlanta Journal also published an article in its April 15, 1917, issue as well. The article referred to the resolution as “patriotic” and “loyal.”

Atlanta Association of Building Owners and Managers’ Leadership in Supporting the United States’ Efforts in World War I 

According to the December 23, 1917, issue of The Atlanta Constitution, “Fred Shaefer, secretary of the Atlanta Association of Building Owners and Managers, announced Saturday that the local skyscraper men, in accordance with a request from the federal fuel administrator, has begun a campaign to get tenants to use less light and less heat. Every tenant of a skyscraper or other form of office building will receive the following communication from the association tomorrow:

‘The federal fuel administration has requested the co-operation of Building Owners and Managers in the effort to conserve the nation’s oil supply. One of the greatest sources of needless consumption has been the careless use of light and heat in office and other public buildings. We, therefore, earnestly urge upon you, as an economic necessity and as a practical way of serving your country, the importance of – 1. Using light in your office only when it is actually needed. 2. Shutting off heat instead of raising the windows when the room becomes too warm. Please understand that this is in no sense an effort to curtail your comfort or convenience for our profit. On the contrary, it is a necessary part of the conservation which must be practiced by all patriotic citizens. ATLANTA ASSOCIATION OF BUILDING OWNERS AND MANAGERS.”

Atlanta Association of Building Owners and Managers continued its commitment to assisting in the United States’ war effort by reducing energy consumption, as is documented in the January 17, 1918, issue of The Atlanta Journal. According to an article in that issue of the newspaper, the association passed a resolution that was posted in every Atlanta office building that stated, “According to order promulgated this date by Dr. Garfield, national fuel administrator, and approved by the president, it will be necessary for all office buildings in Atlanta to economize in the use of heat on each Monday, beginning January 21, and continuing each Monday thereafter until March 25, inclusive.

“During the above period the only offices that can be heated under this ruling are occupied by banks, trust companies, doctors, dentists, transportation, telegraph and telephone offices, drug stores, and restaurants. Stores selling food will be allowed to heat until noon each Monday.

“The management of each office building will cut off heat at the radiator from such offices or stores as are not entitled thereto under the above order.

“All persons are hereby put on notice that if they fail to comply with the above order, the penalty will be upon them.”