The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-04-29
SENATE MAKES AGE
LIMIT Il TO II YEARS
While House Makes 1t II to
40-Food Producers Are
Exempt From Selection as
Well as Ministers

asllington, April ~. The
American army in the war
against Germany will be raised
by CONSUMPTION. The fight in
congress for the administra-
tons selective draft measure
was won tonight, after DAYS Of
the hottest kind of debate.
when the house passed the hill
by a vote of 397 to "a. AS
passed by the house, it will
draft men between the years Of
twenty-one and forty, with the
president having the authority
to designate which ages shall
be called to the colors first.
The senate measure would con-
script men between twentv-one
and twenty-seven years. incm-
sive. This difference in the
provisions will make it neces-
sary for the measure to be sent
to a joint conference, where the
age period may be altered alto
gether. 1t appears certain to-
night, however, that the senate
ages would finally be adopted,
with a modifying clause leay-
ing the president as to what
ages shall be called upon to
form the first big army. The
senats at midnight passed the
conscription bill, 81 to 8.
Provisions We're struck out and in
serted IN the bill in rapid action in
the house
Mems Pay Increased
Ky unanimous vote, an amendment
was included in the house bill to in
crease the pay of enlisted men and
non-commi ssioned officers in the army
and in the national guard, by SIS a
month making the pay Of enlisted
men $40 80 a month. This would add
about $50. 100000 to the army and
national guard pay roll monthly, IL an
army of 1,o00,000 men is raised The
house also struck out all appropria-
ton provisions OF the draft bill on tho
recommendation of Chairman Fitz-
gerald. of the house appropriations
committee. Representative Fitzgerald
said the bill which would have app
proprlated s3.700. 0000 900 for the army
contained 1851, 100000 more than
necessary. The appropriations com-
mittee. he said. would be ready on
Monday to present to the house a corr
rected bill containing the proper ap-
preparations about $3.50 900, 600.
Inc house then. sitting com.
mittee OF the whole. voted to insert
the selective draft provision into tina
army bill. by a vote of 313 to lng.
Food Rai~crs Exempted.
me hnal passage of the measure
was thus rendered certain. With only
slight discussion. the house without a
roll cali adopted an amendment NV
Representative Lever exemptlng ali
persons engaged in raising food and
other articles needed in the war from
the provisions OF the bill. In the
senate the discussion was only per-
functory. BY vote OF Sc to III an
amendment introduced by Senator
Harding was passed. which would per.
NIT Colonel Theodore Roosevelt to
raise an army division of infantry yoi-
unteers for immediate service In
France. Three other divisions would
be permitted. The senate also adotA.
ed an amendment by Senator Fall can.
ing for the raising of three volunteer
regiments of cavalry for patroiing this
Mexican border. The vote was 81
to 25
An amendment was then adopted
which not only exempts all ministers
from the draft. but also all students
at theological seminaries. Aside from
the fight over the age limitations the
most bitter fight in the senate today
was over prohibition. First the sen.
ate voted not only to put the entire
army, wherever 1t might be. con tho
water wagon" but to put all members
OF congress there too. The amends
ment would have made 1t a crime for
any member of congress 10 havo
liquor in his or her dncluding Miss
Ranking possession, and a crime for
any one to sell liquor TO a member OF
congress. Amendments which would
have included the supreme court ana
all employees OF the government were
voted down.
Solons Are Exompt.
Finally. however. 1t the suggGstiU1
81 Senator Harding. . substitute 49,
adopted which with permit mlemh4sq
At the house nd $500 n e.