Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-04-27
URGES DRAFT LAW
VOLUNTEER PLAN SHOWN TO BE
FAILURE, SAYS WILSON
IN LETTER.
MEAHS SERVICE FOR AL
"PubIic Authority Shall Choose Per-
sons for Military Service and for
Rest of Nations Work"-Maiority
Report to Senate FaVors Plan.

Washington, April 21.-President
Wilson sent a letter to Representative
Helvering of Kansas explaining and
strongly supporting the administra-
tion's army bill with its selective con-
scription plan. The letter indicated
the purpose of the administration to
insist upon enactment of the measure
vigorously. 1t follows:
Il welcome the inquiry of your let
the truth of what you say from my
own observations, namely, that what
is meant to be understood by the Sc
lective draft is not generally under
stood throughout the country.
THE process of the draft is, think,
very clearly set forth in the bill drafted
by the war department and which l so
earnestly hope the congress will adopt,
but it is worth while to state the idea
which underlies the bill a little more
fully.
Il took occasion the other day in an
address to the people of the country to
point out the many forms of patriotic
service that were open to them and to
emphasize the fact that the military
part of the service was by no means
the only part, and perhaps, all
things considered, not the most vital
part.
"Our object is a mobilization of all
the productive and active forces Of the
nation and their development to the
highest point Of cooperation and eff
cheney and the idea of the selective
draft is that those should be chosen for
readily spared from the prosecution of
the other activities which it must de-
vote a great deal Of it's best energy and
capacity.
1.-The volunteer system does not do
this. When men choose themselves
they sometimes choose without due re-
gard to their other responsibilities.
Men may come from the farms or from
the mines or from the factories or cen
ters of business who ought not to
come, but ought to stand. back of the
armies in the. field and see that they
get everything that they need and that
the people of the country are sustained
in the meantime.
''The principle of the selective draft
in short, has at its heart this idea, that
there is a universal obligation to serve
and that a public authority should
choose those upon whom the obligation
of military service shall rest and also
in a sense choose those who shall dc
the rest of the nations work.
"The bill if adopted will do more,
believe, than any other single instru
mentality to create the impression o1
universal service in the army and ou
of it, and if properly administered, will
be great source of stimulation.
''Those that feel that we are turnin,
away altogether from the voluntar,
principle seem to forget that some 600,
600 men will be needed to fill the rank
of the regular army and the Nationa
Guard and that a very great field o
individual enthusiasm lies there wild
| open."
The volunteer system was assaile,
as uncertain and inadequate and tn
selective draft was declared to be il
recognition of just principles in tn
majority report written by Chairma
Chamberlain of the military commit
tee, and submitted to the senate ON tn
administration bill.
President Wilson was still deter
mined that the selective draft pla
should prevail, and it seemed probabl
that, if necessary, he would appeal d
rect to the people on the ground tina
the nations safety depends on promI
enactment of the general staff bill.
Preparing to lead the fight in tn
house for the administration bill, Rel
resentative Kahn, ranking Republica
of the military committee, conferre
with Secretary Baker.
The bill as amended by the commi
tee was introduced by Chairman Den