Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-04-24
CLARK IS OPPOSED TO
CONSCR|PT|ON PLAN
Says He Will Never Vote for
1t and That Bill viii
Not Pass

Washington, April 24.-Opponents of
eonscription in any form held sway dur.
ing today's debate in both houses on
the administration S army measure.
Speaker Clark announced himself as
entirely opposed to eOnscription.
In the senate, Thomas, democrat,
Colorado, arguing for trial first of a
volunteer system, said that if conserip-
tionists were sincere they would advo.
cate not only emulation of England 3
example in this respect, but also would
demand emulation Of England's exam.
pie in government control of railroads
and waterway transportation systems.
Advanced as an argument for trial
Of the volunteer system before resorting
to the draft, Thomas read Roosevelt S
offer to raise and lead volunteer di.
vision to the trenches. He termed
Roosevelt's offer as ga great, worthy,
patriotic" offer.
Senator Gallinger called attention to
the reported refusal of Roosevelt Is of
fer.
"Has that offer been entertained7"
he asked Thomas.
AS far as know no offer TO raise
volunteers has been entertained,' -
Thomas answered.
Pulling It's Teeth.
''It is my understanding that it was
refused" Gallinger retorted.
'Such offers as this ought to be heed
ed before we resort to conscription, y
declared Senator Thomas.
Thomas attacked vigorously the fse.
lective element" of the bill as creating
class of slackers and he assailed ex.
emption classes as framed on the ground
of "their inequality"
"The very -slackers-this bill
is designed to reach are exempted under
the provisions. For instance, there is
nothing to compel man exempted be.
cause engaged in agricultural pursuits
to continue in that occupation" he
said.
Senator LaFollette offered an amend.
ment to the army bill proposing to open
up wide latitude in exemptions.
"Conscriptious objections" to the
war the largest of the proposed exemp.
tions. That snuch exemption would op.
en- doors for "slackers" and weaken
the bill, was the retort of advocates
VI inc cuHSCIlpl HledSuTe.
Plenty of Exemptions.
Other exemptions for exceptional
financial or business obligations or do
nestle position,' would be allowed un
der LaFollette's change.
College students and students il
training for any line of work and per
sons engaged in work expedient to tn,
national interest would be exempted.
LaFOllette proposed to establish loca
tribunals in each congressional district
composed to men appointed by the presi
dent, to hear exemption pleas, They
would be authorized to grant certifiea
tions of exemption.
In the house Representative Anth
ony, Kansas, charged that munitions
makers are behind the propaganda to
force seleetive draft in the army He
said he would not be surprised to learn
that members of the American Defense
society, New York, who sent telegram
to his district urging conscription
were stockholders in munitions plants
He did not explain his reasons.
Passage of straight conscription bill
will "rob the homes of the country, ,
of youths undeveloped physically and
mentally" many of them with not spirit
to fight" " Representative Fields of the
military committee declared.
owe need the best fighting force
we can get" Fields said. "Under q
straight conscription system we shall
get an army of youths, two-sevenths OF
them under q wears old.n