The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-05-24
ARMY BILL GIVEN
FINAL APPROVAL
FINAL CONGRESSIONAL ACTION
is TAKEN ON BIG ARMY
BILL.
ADOPT CONFEREES' REPORT

machinery to Register and Draft Mon
ALREADY Set Up.-Date Of Registra.
tlon VIII Be Designated BY Produc-
tion.
Washington.--F Final action was TAX
en- by Congress on the war army bill,
the second Of the major measures OF
the war.
The Senate, by a vote OF 65 to 8,
adopted the conference report accept
ed by the House. Vice President
Marshall and Speaker Clark signed the
bill and sent it to the White House
for President Wilson's approval
AS finally approved the bill provid
ed for raising by selective conscrip-
ton war army in increments Of 500.-
900 men from II to 80 years of age
1t also authorizes. without directing,
| the President to raise volunteer forces
which Colonel Roosevelt desires to
take to France and greatly increases
the pay Of all enlisted men.
Machinery to register and draft the
fi"st 100000 men already has been set
up my the War Department. Imme-
diatelly after the President signs the
bill, he will by proclamation designate
the Gay for registration of the ten
million 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
Brigadier General Crowder, the pro-
! vost marshal general expects to have
his complete lists in Washington
within five days after registering be-
gins
Then will come the task of selecting
the first halfmillion, exempting the
physically unfit, those with dependents
and men who are needed on the farms
and In industries. The process Of Sc
lection probably will be completed
long before the mon are wanted. Sec
retary Baker said that because Of lack
of supplies, the new army would not
be called to the colors for training be.
TO- September.
Roosevelt's Fate.
Whether Colonel Roosevelt shall be
permitted to raise an expedition rests
with President Wilson. His views
have not been disclosed, but it is be-
lieved that he probably will postpone
decision while the draft system is be.
ing put into operation.
AS during the early stages Of the
long dispute in Congress, the closing
debate centered upon the so-called
Roosevelt amendment. Colonel Roose.
velt was vigorously attacked by Sena-
tor Stone. of Missouri and as ardently
defended by his friend, Senator John.
son, OF California
The Senates approval of the meas
ure agreed upon by he conferees and
adopted 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.
tion.
The eight senators who cast the
negative votes we're:
Democrats-Gore, of Oklahoma; !;
Hardwick, Of Georgia; Kirby, Of Ok.
lahoma; Stone. of Missouri, and
Trammel, Of Florida
Republicans--LaFoll Of Wis.
consin; Gronna, of North Dakota, and
Norris Of Nebraska. The bill backed
by the administration and adopted in
the Senate April 10. was passed April
28-in the Senate b va vote Of 81 to
sand in the House 397 to 24-has
since been tied up in conference, re.
turned thereby twice by the House to
include the Roosevelt volunteer pro-
vision and further pay increases for
enlisted men. It's chief provisions
are:
Raising OF armed forces by the
selective draft system imposed upon
all males between the ages of 81 and
30 years. inclusive, subject to regis.
tration and certain exemptions from
service. Increasing the regular army
to maximum war strength.
Drafting into the federal service Of
National Guard units
Raising Of an initial force by con-
scription OF 100000 men. with addition
OF 500 900 II deemed necessary.
Raising, II the President secs nt, Of
four divisions OF voluntary infantry
(the Roosevelt amendment
Increasing the pay OF all enlisted
men az follows:
Fifteen dollars additional monthly
FOR those no wrecoivng less than $21
comprising the bulk Of the army grad.
uated downward to Sc additional
for those receiving $45 or more
Prohibiting sale OF liquor at or near
army training camps and otherwise
protecting morals Of the soldiers.
CRISIS IN RUSSIAN ARMY
HAS BEEN AVERTED