Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1917-04-11
PRESIDENT URGES
CONSUMPTION BILL
Wilson Tells congressman the
Best Way to Get Men Is
by the Draft.
OPPOSITION AMONG soLoNs

Washington, April l0.-President
Wilson threw the weight OF his per-
sonal influence into the scales today
in an effort to overcome opposition
IN congress to the administration
army plans based on the draft sys-
tenn. Summoning Chairman Dent OF
the house military committee, now
considering the bill, the president
made it clear that he believes the
safety of the nation hangs on the
action of congress in this regard. He
will make similar exposition of the
military situation to Representative
Anthony OF Kansas. who has led OPP
position to the draft plan among
republican members of the military
committee.
In his war address, Mr.. Wilson
formally told congress that in his
Judgment the United States must face
its enemy with a certain weapon in
the form OF an army recruited by ap-
plication of the principle of universal
liability for military service as duty
OF citizenship. Supplementing that,
he issued statement recently ap-
proving in every detail the depart
ment plans, which have the unani-
nous approval of the army general
staff.
In his action today, however, the
president recognized the fact that it
may develop a strong feeling in con-
gress in favor Of adhering to the old
volunteer system and sought to bring
home to Mr.. Dent, one OF those who
holds that view, the lessons to be
drawn from the great war into which
the United States now has been
plunged, and which all military ad-
visers of the government declare the
absolute necessity of facing the issue
squarely and summoning men to the
colors by draft.
A compromise plan may be offered
by the opponents of compulsory
service. A sentiment for such move
was evident III Mr.. Dents committee,
before which Secretary Baker and the
military chiefs of the War depart
ment assembled in full strength dur
ing the day to support the admins
tration's policy. There was no in
dication, however, that compromise
would be accepted by the president.
In the senate debate on conscrip-
ton occupied muck time during dis
cussion OF the regular army appro-
priation bill, left over from the last
session. The question is not dealt
with in the bill, but during the de-
bate Senator Kirby offered an amend
ment to authorize the president to call
volunteers in lots of half a million
each. The amendment is subject to
point of order and probably will be
disposed of in that way, without de-
bate.
As a result of Chairman Dents at
titude it is possible that some other
member of the house committee will
present the administration bill, If it
is reported, as officials hope it will be,
substantially in the same form in
which it was drawn. The chairman
agreed to introduce it "by request"
which means that he would take no
responsibility for it. As an active
and sympathetic leadership on the
floor OF the house will be needed, the
task may 60 to some other commit
teeman.
No Conclusion Reached.
Representative Kahn, ranking re-
publican member, has been a consist
ent advocate of universal military
training and service for years. He
went to the extent, during the franz
ing of the national defense act, of
sending to England for recruiting
posters and literature, and used them
to illustrate to the house the unre-
liable and inefficient operation Of that
system. While refusing to discuss
his conference with the president,
Mr.. Dent admitted that no conclu-
sion whatever was reached.
Discussion of the regular army ap-
preparation bill had been perfunctory
in the senate until a section author
izing advertising agencies to obtain
recruits for the army was reached.
Chairman Chamberlain said it was
considered necessary to get men and
instanced the fact that recruiting for
the National Guard had not been sue
cessful.
Recruits have hocked to National
Guard headquarters ever since the
German ambassador was sent home"
declared Senator WadsWorth. "but
now hear the War department has