New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-29
Final Vote in House
397 to "a; Senate
81 to 8 =
=
Only Clash Over
Maximum Age
Conscientious Directors
Lose Fight; No Liquor
for Soldiers ?
From ne Tribune Bur-.ul

From ne rnbun, Bur-sul
Washington, April 2s.-The Admin
istration's draft bill passed the House
by a vote Of 397 TO "a shortly be-
fore midnight tonight. and then g few
minutes later went through the Senate
by 81 to s.
The actual test Of the dying strength
Of the volunteer principle came a few
hours earlier in both houses. when mo-
tions to make the bill provide for vol
unteers instead of for the seleetive
draft, were beaten by S13 to 100 in the
House and 80 to IS in the Senate.
Divergent amendments adopted in
the two houses will send the bill 10
conference and cause some delay be-
fore it becomes a law, but It Is expect
ed that will be before the President By
the end of the week. In its main feat
ures the bill is identical in both
houses.
Senator Harding's amendment to the
army bill, designed TO permit Colonel
Roosevelt to raise four infantry divi-
sions for service In France, was
adopted by the Senate, 66 TO 81. Many
Democrats voted for II. A similar
amendment was rejected by the House
yesterday.
Clash Over Age Limit
The one big question in dispute be-
tween the two houses, which will have
to be worked out in conferences early
next week, before the Presidents sig
nature can make the bill law is the
age at which men can be drafted. Both
houses now, as a result of an amend
ment adopted by the Senate to-day,
haze the same minimum age, twenty
one, bu: tho maximum. age fixed by
the Senate to-day, as exclusively pre-
dieted in The Tribune this morning,
is twenty-seven, while the House fixed
a maximum age of forty. This maxi
mum was rejected by the Senate by
an overwhelming majority, Indicating
that the Senate will stand fast for q
maximum age somewhere near twenty
seven.
Another point to be settled between
the two houses is the prohibition
amendment. This WAS passed by the
Senate and provides for dry camps and
making it crime to sell liquor TO a
man in uniform. The same amendment
was knocked out in the House on a
point Of order. so that the question
will have TO be adjusted by the con.
ferress.
The Senate approved an amendment
by Senator Stone which would definitely
confine the operation Of the draft to
the period Of the existing emergency,
and another by Senator New providing
that, Notwithstanding the exemptions
in the bill, each state must furnish its
quota in proportion to population.
Chairman Chamberlain accepted an
other smendmemt, authorizing the Pres
ident to raise by voluntary enlistment
or draft such special and technical
troops" as he deems necessary. Mr..
Chamberlain said this would apply par
ticularly to railroad and other workers
of that character.
The Senate also accepted, 80 to rs, an
amendment BY Senator Fall, of New
Mexico, authorizing the President 70
call into service three or mors regi-
ments Of mounted volunteers for SER
vice on the Mexican border or in any
foreign country the President may
direct.
IL is expected that the confeyrees
will be able to agree on their repo,t
and both houses adopt il, thus send
ing the measure TO the White House
before the end OF next week.
Cuts on Congress's Drinks
In spite OF the intense seriou 3nsss
Of the business OF getting an army
ready for the war the Senate. in M,
debate to-day on the prohibition
amendment, descended TO the level of
buhoonery. The Senate actually adopt-
cd an amendment providing that no
member of Congress should haya
liquor in his possession, and making II
crime to sell liquor TO a member OF
Congress.
"If we will not permit those WIN
are TO shed their blood TO hays
liquor" said Senator Williams eve
ought not 70 have il ourselves"
Besides MIR. Williams, other Sens-
tors who normally resent the advances
of prohibition voted for the amend
ment TO put Congress on the watsr
wagon. including Senator Penrose- q,
Pennsylvania. and Senator Stons .,
Missouri. Most of the dry Senator.
except Senator Sheppard, Of Texas
voted against the amendment. fesrin :
that they were making the prohibition
issue ridiculous.
why, II bomb were dropped from
up yonder," said Mr.. Williams. poin,-
ing to the galleries. after a sharp az.
tack on the absurdity Of the Discus
sion. and should destroy every one
OF us, It would not amount 10 that 10
the United States government" A.
the word that" he snapped his fingers.
Draft Victory in House
The vote in the House came On an
amendment by Representative Kahn
(Rep.i, who has led the fight for the
Administration dill. moving 10 strike
out the volunteer amendments inserted
kxr, - L.