Evening star., 1916-06-27
SENATE APPROVES
u
DRAFT OF MILITIA
House Joint Resolution Author
izing President to Act Is
Amended and Returned.
OMITS APPROPRIATION
FOR SOLDIERS FAMILIES
Lower Body Disagrees to All the
Suggested Changes and Ap-
points Conferees.


The joint resolution providing for the
draft of the National Guard into the
service of the United States, which was
amended and passed by the Senate last
evening, was returned to the House to-
day for approval or rejection of the
Senate amendments.
The House by a.divisional a vote OF
119 to disagreed to the Senate amend
ment eliminating a million-dollar relief
appropriation for dependent families
Of enlisted men drafted into the fed
eral military service. The House asked
a conference on the resolution and
named Representatives Hay, Dent and
Anthony as conferees for the House.
All Senate amendments to the resolu-
tion were disagreed to without discus
sion, including the striking out of the
declaration that in the opinion OF Con-
Eress an emergency exists warranting
the drafting of the militia into the fed
eral service and the elimination of res-
srence to provisions of the army regu-
lation act. which action. some members
er of conscription over national guards
men.
The Senate appointed as its conferees
on the Hay resolution Senators Cham
berlain, Warren and Hitchcock.
The resolution was not passed by the
Senate until after a one million dollar
appropriation to aid dependent fami-
lies of those so drafted had been strick-
en- out and a provision substituted un-
der which guardsmen having families
dependent on them could be excused
from service. A preamble declaring
that an emergency now exists requir-
ing the service of troops other than the
regular army also was eliminated.
Meaning of Clause in Doubt.
There was some confusion over the
exact meaning of the draft authorize
tion as finally adopted. Senator Clark
Of Wyoming. who moved to strike out
the declaration of an emergency. in
cluded in his motion a proposal to
eliminate also a qualifying clause hing
Ing the draft authorization on section
III of the army reorganization bill.
The qualification had been attached in
the House to exclude from the draft
such National Guardsmen as would not
take voluntarily the required oath for
federal service.
Senator Clark's amendment, however,
was accepted by Chairman Chamberlain
Of the military committee, and the pre-
stricken out without discussion and by
unanimous consent.
Variance of Views.
The language of the resolution az
adopted was construed in some quar-
tsrs as giving the President an un-
qualified power Of conscription over all
National Guardsmen. 1t reads:
Resolved by the Senate and House
of Representatives Of the United States
of America in Congress assembled. That
the President be. and he is hereby, au-
thorized to draft into the military serv-
ice Of the United States any or all
members of the National Guard and Of
the organized militia of the several
states. territories and the District of
Columbia. and any and all members Of
the National Guard and organized
militia reserves. to serve not exceeding
three years unless sooner discharged"
Senator Clark said his motion did not
contemplate giving a conscription
power to the President. and he did not
conferring such authority. The quali-
flying clause referring to section Ill
had been an unnecessary and cumber-
some provision. he said. likely to
draft authorization dependent upon q
single section of tho army bill
II was said that should 1t be found that
the amended resolution did in fact give
be modified In conference.
Appropriation Stricken Out.
The appropriation for relief Of depend
ent families Of drafted guArdsmen was
IN al-day debate Under tho provision
suhstteutsd the Secretary Of War would
b authorised to excuse from service. on
thAi1 own applications. all miltiamen who
hsvs families depending on them for sup
Port Twenty-ons democrats and nine re-
publtcans voted to retain the million dol
lar appropriation The resolution itself
was adopted without q roll call
Senator Sherman OF Illinois offered an
AnAndnnent just before tho nnal vote was
taken Incorporating in the resolution q
fActo government Of Mexico. The pro-
pooal was tabled on motion Of Senator
ChAnahaylatn. but not until tbs Illinois
penAtor had arraignsd the Senate for do
Nadeo.
Weary Of Listening to Words.
II 40 weary Of listening to nero torn,
Il vnrds." Senator Sherman declared
''Consrsss should declare here and now
that a stats Of war exists between the
United States Of America Aad the de
faetS sovernmsnt Of Mexico. 1t is ths
aAzns Of idiocy to inquire Of . man wha,
Ads purpose is after he shoots you In ths
facA"
Senator Sherman recalled that three
months ago he had introduced q resoiu-
tion author1sing tho President to cali OF.
5000 troops for use on the border Tha,
resolution has slumbered in committee.
'-Three months would have been a good
dino IN which 10 prepare and equip these
case would not be so desperate. Today
We fnd that the state militia is not SUD-
plied with arms or ammunition They
have not even horseshoers for their cav
airy. There is q regiment OF cavalry in
my state ready TO leave. and they cannot
oven ind q horseshoer.
Three Months Of Lost Time.
There has been three months of lox,
time. Today II we had to push an expo.
dit!oa across the border there 10 not 4
man At fo- the task. but the regular
army"
Mr.. Sherman told how private citizen,
of Chicago made a subscription to bug
machine guns for tho National Guard