Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1917-04-22
DECKS CLEARED
FOR ARMY FIGHT
Selective Draft Issue Up
in Both Houses of Con-
gress Monday.
Majority of Upper Branch
Military Committee
Supports Plan.

WASHINGTON. April 21.-Presi-
dent Wilson's fight to organize Il war
time army in accordance with the ad-
vice of the war department and the
army general staff will begin in ear
nest Monday In both houses of CON
gress. In the senate today the ad-
ministration bill supported by Sena-
tor Chamberlain, chairman of the
military committee, and Il majority of
his committee associates, was started
formally on its way to a vote. There
was some debate, parliamentary tan
giles were disposed of and the way
cleared for uninterrupted considera-
ton of the measure.
In the house both the majority and
minority reports were presented from
the military committee and the bill
will come up Monday with Repre-
sentative Kahn, ranking Republican.
l0cding the committee minoritys fight
foi the administrations plan un-
amended, while Chairman Dent, head
ing the majority of the committee,
directs the opposition. urging trial of
a volunteer system before resorting
to selective draft.
Tho Majority Report.
The minority report. signed by eight
members of the committee rests for
authority on a letter from Secretary
Baker to Chairman Dent, declaring
the opinion that ANY compromise on
the departments plan would be at
tended by unfortunate results
The majority recommends tions,
signed by Chairman Dent and eleven
others. says in part.
'"The bill authorizes but does not
direct the president to issue n call for
volunteer army of 100000 in the
first place and of an additional force
of 500, 900 If necessary under the law
now in existence.
Proceed With Registration.
THE bill further authorizes the
president to proceed at once with the
registration of all male citizens be-
tween the ages Of II and 40 as pro-
vided in the plan of the war depart
ment for a draft so that all of the
machinery authorizing the draft of
| 500, 900 for the first force and of the
additional 5000 will be put in op-
Grafton at once.
1T Will require, according to the
testimony of the secretary of war be-
fore the military committee at least
three months to complete this regis
tration. In the meantime il
to call for volunteers and upon the
completion of the registration he mas
the power to decide whether he will
take an army of volunteers or organ
ize one by draft.
Keep Men Grouped.
''The bill provides that organiza-
tions of all forces other than the reg
ular army shall be composed of men
| hn
from the same state or lpcIlity as fdr
as practicable.
Both the volunteer and the iraf,
features OF the bill authorize the
frc|''ient to refuse to accept cithe:
10y enlistment or draft tire services n
itrsN. = needed in the il. lustri4l oar
su.ts ot the country"
Secretary Bakers letter included II
tie minority !,port was written as 4
tinal Flea from the mn a,y br.url
of TIE governmt mt in be, ~ Df the al.
N!''s,ration biz.
Il have deep conviction that any
compromise of the principles govern
ing the bill submitted by the depart
ment for the raising of new army
would be attended by unfavorable re
suits" he wrote.
Volunteer Spirit Preserved.
| Inc Dill as drawn preserves 81
much OF the volunteer spirit as can b,
preserved without embarking on tn,
experiment of a mixed system of draf
and volunteering. 1t makes place fol
several hundred thousand men abov,
the age of 20 who may be moved t.
volunteer and by equalizing the term
and conditions Of service in the regu
lar army, national guard and add
CONTINUED ON PAGE SEVENTEEN