The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-04-27
ARMY BILL VOTE
BEFORE TONIGHT
DEBATE IN HOUSE DOWN TO
SHORT SPEECH STAGE THIS
AFTERNOON.
STONE FAVORS ORAF 7
Missouri Senator Has Come Over 10
Support Of Administration and De
clares Host Is Needed on Firing Line
and Demands Must Be Met.

Washington, April 27.-Debate Oh
the war army bill reached final stages
in congress today In the house gen
eral debate was concluded after a ses.
sion which lasted until 2:3O o'clock
this morning The house was to meet
at noon today to hear summing.up
speeches by Chairman Dent of the
military committee on behalf of the
volunteer system and by Representa-
tive Kahn for the seective draft plan.
After that speeches were to be limit
ed to five minutes. House leaders
hoped to reach vote tonight, although
this appeared doubtful
In the senate the bill was taken up
under an agreement to reach a final
vote by tomorrow night. Sixteen SEN
atOrs still were to be heard
Former Speaker Cannon will 3e
among those talking five minutes for
the volunteer system. Republican
Leader Mann who fayors conscrip.
tion, probably will not speak, nor will
Democratic Leader Kitchin, who Is
lN'lHNbbu w bpppot lllt vi ait
Senators Hale, Beckman. Myers and
Stone supported the administration
bill today and Senator Sherman op-
posed it. Senator Stone, who con
cluded the days debate in the senate.
declared that although he opposed the
declaration Of war, he will vote with
the president for conscription. He
said he believed, however, the bill
should be changed to make the ages
Of those subject to draft u to 40 In.
stead of 10 to %, and that it should
contain a provision that the president,
when peace is declared, must give up
his authority to raise an army under it.
I'VE are needed on the battle line OF
Europe the Missouri senator cont!n.
ued. There must be no hating at
home. The president thinks the time
is past for experiment | agree with
him. 1t is imperative that we act al
once and get ready with the least
possible delay. | am for that plan
which will most certainly, speedily
and efficiently meet the demands OF
the hour. Pass this bill and he will
forthwith enter upon a plan that will
not be experimental; its success Is
assured from the beginning"
Debate in the senate was opened by
Senator Jones, republican of Washing
ton, who supported the seective draft
"The man who must conduct the
war, our commander.in.Chief urges il
as a wise and necessary measure now,
said he.
"The military authorities almost
without exception urge il. The senate
committee that has fully examined int,
1t recommends it. The lessons of thi,
great war point to it as a wise course
Why should not vote for it,"
Would Draft Wealth.
Senator Kenyon read figures to SHOW
enormous increases in the incomes %
corporations affected by the war, an,
added:
81 want to say that while | am yot
ing for conscription OF these men.
am going to vote later on for conscrir
tion Of the great incomes of this coun
try to help pay the expenses Of thi
war"
Senator Kenyon said he expected I,
support the bill. but wanted eXemI
tions in favor of men in employment
Of military value changed so that IN
power OF enforcing such exemption
would not be in the hands OF militar
men alone He approved the LaFo
lelte amendment for civil tribunal
TO pass upon questions OF exception.
The Iowa senator declared he favol
ed also an amendment which Woul
permit Colonel Roosevelt to 20 to n
front in command of American troop,
ut would be an inspiring thing" h
said, III Colonel Roosevelt could lea
division side by side with the IT
color OF France Nothing would hel
bring the war to a speedy end as muc
as that, but they say II would demora
ize our army, It seems to me 1t woul
demoralize the enemy more"
Panie.Strieken Senator.
Senator McCumber declared that II
100000 of the best trained officers an
men would not win the war for Ii
United States IL the submarines wer
not overcome
Il think It is a fair estimate to sa
that 100000 tons OF merchant shippin
have been destroyed in the last thirt
days" said he. AT this rate, ho
long will Great Britain be able to hoI
out? II by the use of these unset
instrumentalities, Great Britain cou
be eliminated from this war, demorg
lied Russia would fall In a week, bra,
France would be crushed. our foreir
commerce would be destroyed az
stagnation would hold in its grip u
populous cities of the country"
The senator did not indicate his r
sitiOn on the bill.
Some Arguments.
The house resumed debate under
plan to remain IN session "a least pJ
Of the night and to dispose VI the b
by 6 p. m. tomorrow, If possible
Chairman Dent closed the arvume
Ia favor Of tf.. t.,f,,,,t... ..,.....f. lace.