Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-05-18
Vote Favors Conferees' Report
by So to 5; Senator Albert
B, Fall Is Excused Front
Voting,
ROOSEVELT AMENDMENT
IS ATTACKED BY STONE
Declares That Scheme Is Per-
sonaI and Political; Mere
Courage Doesn't Fit Man to
Lead, He Says.

washington, MAY 1T lha' foctioh
was taken by congress today on the
war army bill, the second of the ma
| jor measures OF the war.
The senate, by a vote of 65 to 8,
adopted the conference report accept
ed yesterday by the house. Vice Presl-
dent Marshall and Speaker Clark Will
sign the bill tomorrow and send 1t TO
the White House for President Will
sons approval. 1t probably will be law
before tomorrow night.
| AS finally approved, the bill pro-
vides for raising by selective conscnp-
| ton war army in increments OF
500, 900 men from 2l to 80 years of
age. 1t also authorizes. without di-
recting, the president to raise volun-
teer forces, which Colonel Roosevelt
desires to take to France, and great
| ly increase the pay of all enlisted men.
Machinery Already Set Up.
| Machinery to register and draft the
first 100000 men already has been set
up by the war department. Immedi-
ately after the president signs the bill
he will by proclamation designate the
day for registration OF the 100000
or more men of the prescribed age.
Registration books will be in the
hands Of state and local authorities
! who are to cooperate in the work and
Brig. Gen. Crowder, the provost mar
shall general, expects to have his COM
plete lists in Washington within five
days after registering begins.
! Then vii come the task of selecting
! the first half million, exempting the
physically unfit. those with depend-
ents and men who are needed on the
farms and industries. The big pro-
cess of selection probably will be
completed long, before the men are
wanted. Secretary Baker said today
that because of lack of supplies the
new army would not be called to the
colors for training before September.
! Now Up to President.
| Whether Colonel Roosevelt shall be
permitted to raise an expedition now
rests with President Wilson. His
views have not been disclosed.
As during the early stages Of the
long dispute in congress, today's clos
ing debate centered upon the so-called
Roosevelt amendment. Colonel
Roosevelt was vigorously attacked by
Senator Stone of Missouri and as ar
IDENTIFY defended by his friend, Senator
Johnson of California.
The senate's approval of the meas
|
accepted by the house came late in
the day after attempts to send it back
to conference, and an earnest appeal
by Senator Chamberlain, chairman Of
the military committee, for final ac-
ton.
Men Who Voted No.
The eight senators who cast the
votes are:
Democrats-Gore OF Oklahoma I;
Hardwick, Of Georgia; Kirby, of Ar
kansas; Stone. of Missouri, and Tram
nell, of Florida.
| Republicans-.La Toilette, of Wis
consin; Gronna, of North Dakota,
and Norris. of Nebraska.
The bill, backed by the administra-
ton, was introduced in the senate
April 10, was passed April 2S-in the
senate by a vote of 81 to 8 and I'm the
house 397 to 24--and since has been
tied up in conference, returned there
twice by the house to include the
| Roosevelt volunteer provision and
| further pay increases for enlisted
men. It's chief provisions are:
4 Chief Provisions of Bill.
i Raising of armed forces by the Sc
lective draft system, imposed upon all
males between the ages of 21 and 80
years, inclusive, subject to registration
and certain exemptions from service.
Increasing the regular army to max
imum war strength.
Drafting into the federal service OF
national guard units.
/ Raising of an initial force by
conscription of 100000 men, with ad-
dition of. 500, 900 IL deemed necessary.
Raising, If the president sees fit, of
four divisions of volunteer infantry
(the Roosevelt amendment).
J Increasing the pay of all enlisted
men as follows: SIS additional
monthly for those now receiving less
than $21, comprising the bulk of the
army. graduated downward to So
/ additional monthly for those receiving
$45 or more.
Morals Safeguarded.
i Prohibition of liquor sales at or
near army training camps and other
wise protecting morals of the soldier.
i The conscription age limits were
agreed upon with much difficulty. The
war department proposed q minimum
of 10, and O maximum of %. The
4 house voted to fix them at 81 to 40,
!, and the senate at 81 to 27. the COM
promise OF 21 to 80, inclusive, result
ing.
La Toilette Rffscs Objection.
Some senators protested that the
words "the emergency" might fasten
a military policy on the country. Sem
ator Fletcher pointed out that the
!. existing emergency" could not be
stretched to continue. men in service
after the present war. Secretaries
Smith and Hardwick Of Georgia, Reed
of Missouri, and La Toilette were
among those who raised objections.
Senator Chamberlain reiterated his
warning that great delay might result
and pointed out that the senators de-
L tox hn ~ Iau