New-York tribune., 1917-07-19
Senator Pomerene
Leads in Criticism
of Estimates
49,
@s.s
Northern States
Suffer, Is Charged
Lodge Calls Massachu-
sets Figures Glar-
ingly aulty
From rs Tribune BUREAU ]

From rhs Tribune Purssul
Washington, July ls.-While the
War Department was making prepara-
tons to begin the draft on Friday,
Democrats and Republicans in the Sen
ate Joined to-day in bitter attacks on
the census Juggling"
Senator Pomerene, always considered
a strong White House Democrat, and
who was swept back into Office last No
vember on a virtual Woodrow Wilson
tidal wave. led the attack. He was
backed up by Senator Lodge, Of Massa-
chusetts, and others.
Senator Pomerene read a telegram
!, which sstonished the New York and
New England Senators in that, in ad-
dition to wild census figures, Ohio IL
protesting bitterly against the count
ing Of aliens, who will not be drafted,
in figuring the number Of Americans
who will be.
injustice 10 tne ANOftH
The Eastern Senators had thought
that injustice was confined almost en-
tirely to the big cities along the At
lantic seaboard. 1t was brought out
clearly to-day that this injustice piles
on top Of the census juggling to place
an undue share Of the burden on the
Northern states and relieve the South
ern states OF what would be their nor
NAL share Of the draft quota.
Senator Pomerene's telegram was
from former State Insurance Ccmmis-
sioner E. H. Moore, Of youngstown. It
follows:
Youngstown yields In patriotism to
no city in America. but we think il
grossly unfair that we should be called
upon for 1889 conscripts, more than
some states, and two and half times
as many as Dayton, which has so per
cent more population. Estimates are
based on treble any guess the widest
enthusiast would claim for our city.
Forty per cent Of our registration
was alien. not subject to conscrirtio,.
leaving 1000 eligibles. including frs.
declarants, Of which we have already
furnished 1885 volunteers. nearly q
full regiment We ask no favors, but
simply fair play. Since both my boys
have volunteered, cannot be accused
of selfshness, but / plead for the faith
ers and mothers and for the preserva-
tion of our industries, so vital TO the
successful prosecution Of the war,
which, in view Of the large number Of
volunteers. will be seriously crippled"
Senator Lodge, of Massachusetts,,
read into the record a dispatch from
Governor Samuel W. Mccall. Of Massa-
chusetts.
at is in line with the telegrsms
which Senator Brandegee and Senstor
Pomerene have presentedy said Sena-
tor Lodge. The Governors telegram
read as follows:
"In line with your speech Of yester-
day, the Federal estimate Of the popu-
lation Of Massachusetts. on which our
quota for draft is based. is S,93e.66i.
The actual population at the 1915 state
census was 3,s93,3lo. Assuming the
average increase in two years has
been the same during the fve-ycar
period between 1910 and 19l5-al-
though it is probably less. as immigrs-
tion has been greatly reduced-the
state population would be approximate
" s,s24,o6S. or 1888 less than the
Federal estimate.
Chicopee Falls an Example
UNLESS tho same can be reduced to
more equitable basis, I must accept
II as the basis for distributing the
quota, but that quota should no: be
placed too high by reason Of faulty
methods in estimating population. The
Federal estimate Of the population Of
Chieopee Falls. for instance, is 10000.
although two years ago it had only
10000. Other places show discrepar-
eies both too high and too low.
Although I can correct this Unequal
ity between the cities and towns Of
the state, ] cannot change the quota
Of the whole state. Doubtless the Fed
eral authorities desired a just basis,
but this basis OF estimate upon regis
tration for draft seems to me un-
sound because il penalties states
where registration was complete and
thorough in comparison with states
where registration was incomplete
"The case of Chicopce, which the
Governor mentions. is perfectly pre-
posterous," asserted Senator Lodge.
who stated that these were the frat
figures from his home state that no
had seen. 81 know the city WELL" he
continued. "It had 10000 people two
years ago by the state census, which
Is a very accurate and careful census.
Now. two years later, with the immi-
grafton cut of, it is put down ut
So. 900, an increase in two years OF
more than $50 per cent
There can be no justice in such
estimates as that upon which 10 base
a draft. Every state is desirous OF
giving its full quota, have no ques-
tion; I know the State Of Massachu-
sstts 10, but we do not want to leave
Il - l. n L. ~ a.