The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-05-18

Washington, May 1.-THE senate
passed the Consumption bill provid-
ing an army of approximately 1901
900 men to fight Germany by a vote
of SIS to late this afternoon, after
day OF acrimonious debate. Tho
measure was sent at once to the
White House for the presidents s;g--
nature The war department will set
into motion Immediately the machin-
cry for nationwide registration of all
men between twenty-one and thirty
years Of age, inclusive. for the selec-
tive draft.
The senates action this afternoon
closed a parliamentary struggle OF
more than a month and disposed OF
one OF the biggest war problems yet
laid before congress. The measure
was sent to conference three times.
Far a while during todays. debate 1t
seemed in imminent danger OF being
recommitted again for modification.
When the conference agreement on
the bill was submitted to the senate
for ratification shortly after the up
per house convened this morning, Ii
ran against unexpected opposition.
based on the omission from the bill
OF the senate provision limiting con-
scription to the period OF the war
with Germany,
Charges Fly Thick ana Fast.
Charges Of improper motives on
the part of the conferees and insinua-
lions OF -deep-laid- scheme by the
war department to use the bill to
fasten permanent universal military
service upon the country flew thick
and fast. The controversy was nm
ally smoothed out by an unanimous
consent agreement to incorporate tho
omitted provision in the army and
navy war budget now pending before
the senate.
A spectacular tilt between Senator
Stone, of Missouri, and Senator Hiram
Johnson. OF California. marked the
Eclosing hour OF the debate on the con-
ference report. Senator Stone asS
sailed the Harding amendment au-
thorizing acceptance of Colonel
Roosevelts offer to raise a division
of volunteers for service in France.
He charged the colonel with unfitness
to command and declared the amend
ment was ''smeared all over witl3
politics. This drew vigorous mrs
coloners closest friends. Senator
johnson pleaded for more Rooee-
veits and more divisions to follow
him" Il
An courageous Thing"
This amendment was an outrage
Gus thing to put into the BILL" de-
clared Senator Stone. II am goin4
to talk about this as the Roosevelt
amendment. I don't question Roose-
velts courage, but I do question his
judgment In commanding men. He 10
unfit He has no respect for authors
ty. and he is incapable of subordi-
nation. He has not the military ex-
perience. training or temperament,
Physical courage even to the point
of Hudacfty Is not the sole require.
ments for a commander In the Span
ish war he led the Rough Riders up
San Juan hill. He got his men into
a bad hole, where they were In dan
ger of being decimated and cut to
pieces. and probably would have been
If negro regiment had not come to
their rescue--Ry his ewH- course In
the only crisis in his military career
he demonstrated his lack'of Judgment
so conclusively a. TO make plain his
unfitness to command a regiment
The amendment is smeared all
over with politics and glaring personal
favoritism. The very persistence OF
the colonel in this matter Is proof OF
his insubordination.''
johnson Protests.
Senator johnson said he would b
wanting in affection for the colonel
| IL he did not register an emphatic
protest against the remarks OF the
senator from Missouri
IL am the friend OF Colonel Ro0se-
velt and in my country when a mana
friend is assailed 1t II considered hin
duty to defend him with all his powsf.
he said. II have listened with surpriee.
,hagrin and humiliation to the apes6h
NJ R0NIT