The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1917-04-26
SENATOR BRADY FAVORs
MILITARY TRAINING LAW
HAS GIVEN SUBJECT SPECIAL
STUDY AS MEMBER OF MIL.
iTARY COMMITTEE.

Senator Brady of Idaho, who was I
member of the subcommittee of til,
senate committee on military affairs
which held extensive hearings on tn,
compulsory military training bill dur.
ing the last session of congress, is
firmly of the opinion that congress
should pass such bill at the present
session, without fail. After going
deeply into the subject, on which ne
is now something of an authority
Senator Brady made an extended
statement of his reasons for support
ing this legislation. He said:
"The proposal 70, universal military
training and service should be fully
discussed at this time by the Ameri-
can people, for the reason that it will
be a large factor in the organization
of the army in the present emergency.
Let Every Person Serve.
our government has declared that
state of war exists between this
country and the imperial German gov
eminent, and our president has been
authorized and directed to employ the
entire naval and military forces Of
the United States and the resources
of the government to carry on the war
against Germany, and congress has
pledged all of the resources of the
country to bring the conflict to a sue
cessful termination. Since this con-
dition exists, it becomes the duty of
every American citizen to do his bit
and 1t is only fair that the burden
should fall equally upon every citi-
zen. For that reason l am in favor
of universal military training and
compulsory military service.
This is the only system that can be
adopted by the United States of AM
erica that will be in harmony with the
principles of our republic and in ac-
cord with 1.-The American thought Of
equal opportunity and responsibility
for every American citizen.
1.-The establishment of universal
military training should be under an
American system. We should adopt
what is good from the Swiss, the Aus
tralian, the Argentine and any other
systems that bear merit and when
that is done we should adopt a plan
of our own, suitable to our needs and
conditions Under such a system we
can each year add 100000 young men,
physically and mentally fit, to the mil
itary force of our country.
Half Million Each Year.
lone million young men reach ma
turity each year in the United States.
1t is estimated that SO per cent OF
them are morally, physically and men,
tally fit for military service. Out of
the other 100000 we should at least
be able to secure 100000 who could be
of real service in case of war and these
100000 should be trained for their spe-
cial tasks just as the regular army is
trained. In other words, we should
see to it that every American boy as
sumes his equal share of responsible
ity as well as an equal opportunity In
life.
1.-THE Chamberlain bill now before
congress has been very fully discuss
ed by the committee on military af-
fairs, of which l am a member, and
1t was generally understood by the
committee that this bill was simply
foundation to work upon and from
which the senate will develop a meas
ure that will be beneficial to our ia
ton and satisfactory to the people. 1
expect to offer number of amend
ments to the Chamberlain bill for the
purpose of Strengthening the bill end
making it more workable and effect
i've
LAS an illustration, I believe We
should have voluntary age Of en-
listment at IS years and that the age
for compulsory training should be 20
years instead of at the age of 10.
Studies Question.
II was a member of the sub-co.n-
mittee of the committee on military
affairs appointed by the senate to
study this question. We held public
hearings and military experts from
all over the world appeared before the
committee and gave valuable inform
alton. After hearing the statements
of these experts l am convinced that
K we make conditions workable and
favorable as they should be made and
secure their six months of training at
the age of Is or 10, and thus enable
them to commence their business or
professional career at an earlier age.
| find that the American young man
Ia ready and willing to prepare him
self for the purpose of defending his
country If need be IL he is only given
the proper encouragement.
''In the city of Washington, D. c.,
there are 1900 high school cadets
Just as fine a body Of little men as
ever wore uniform. They are well
hammered we'll trained and show in
every way the beneficial effects OF
discipline and outdoor exercise.
."There are 1900 more boys in the
city of Washington, d. c., who would
gladly take this three years training
if their parents were able to permit
them to do so, but they can not do It