Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-04-27
DEBAIEON THE
ARMY Bill IS
NEARING END I
Senate Reaches Agreement
to Take Vote Saturday
Night.
HOUSE MAY VOTE
LATE TONIGHT
Summing Up Addresses in
Lower Branch Given
This Afternoon.

the war army bill reached final stages
In congress today. In the house gem
eral debate was concluded after a ses-
sion which lasted until $3.50 o'clock
this morning. Tho house met at noon
today to hear summing up speeches
committee on behalf of the volunteer
system and by Kahn for the selective
draft plan. After that speeches were
limited to five minutes. House lead
ers hope to reach a vote tonight, al
though this appeared doubtful.
Vote In Senate Saturday.
In the senate the bill was taken
up under an agreement to reach a
! Anal vote by tomorrow night. Sixteen
senator's still were to be heard.
Debate in the senate was opened by
Senator Jones, Republican. of Wash
ington, who supported the selective
draft. IT,
"Our commander in chief urges It,"
satd he. '"The military authorities
ommends 4. Tho lessons Of this great
war point to 1t as wise course. Why
should note vote for it?"
Kenyon Wants Exemptions.
Senator Kenyon said he expected to
support the bill. but wanted exemp-
tions in favor OF men in employment
of military value changed so that the
power Of enforcing such exemptions
would not be in the hands Of military
men alone. He approved the LaTol-
lette amendment for civil tribunals
to pass upon questions of exemptions.
The Iowa senator declared he fa-
yored also an amendment which put
Colonel Roosevelt to 60 to the front
in command Of American troops.
Senator MeCumber declared that
ten million best trained officers and
men would not win the war for the
United States IL the submarines were
not overcome.
"At the rate merchant shipping has
been destroyed in the last 80 days."
said he. "how long will Great Britain
be able to hold out? II. by the use
of these unseen instrumentalities
( Great Britain could be eliminated
from this war. demoralized Russia
would fall in q week brave France
would be crushed, our foreign COM
tmerce would be destroyed and stGgnG=
ton would hold In itsSsrip the. popn-
lous cities Of the country" ..s.;sss.,
Senator MeCurnber did not Indicate
his position on the bill.
i House Votes Saturday.
The house resumed debate under
a plan to remain in session at least
part Of the night and to dispose OF the
bill by. p. m. tomorrow, IL possible.
Chairman Dent closed the argument
in favor Of the volunteer amendment.
and Representative Kahn summed up
In support Of straight-cut selective
conscription.: ..''''''.
THE house cheered Mr.. Kahn
loudly whom he began In every year
he said. some Americans had put ev-
cry obstacle in the way.
The extreme pactfists always have
been with US" he said; ''and frequent
Lev -
the government in and out Of con-
gress."' '--'.''': '.''t.'.
A system which permits the volun-
teer to sacrifice his life in defense OF
his flag and permits the shirker to re-
main at home, he denounced as neith-
er fair, just, nor democratic.
1T is the duty Of the individual to
tion decrees he is needed" he added
"and the selective draft system puts
tho burden equally on the shoulders
Of all males of military ase'
Mr.. Kahn said honesty compelled
admiration of the fighting quality and
valor of the conscripted Germans and
that the soldiers who fought the bat.
tie of the Marne and are now driving
; back the German forces were all mer
conscripted by France.
Under systems OF universal obli.
CATION to service in war time," he said
''these men were trained for an EN-.
Urgency Just az confronts us today
Anyone who attempts to belittle the
valor Of the conscript does not know
what he IL talking about.
There mutt be no blunders like
those made in the past. Every mar
between Fl and 40 years must know
that he is liable to be called during
the progress Of this war. His country
will determine when his services are
needed and will notify him in proper
time. That 10 tho democratic. fair
equitable way"