The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-05-18
MACHINERY OF DRAFT
READY TO BE STARTED
Law Gives President Au-
thority to Say Whether a
Roosevelt Army Shall Be
Sent to Europe - Senate
Debated the Ex-President
Vigorously Before Con-
ference Committees Re-
port Was Accepted, IS to s

Washington, ID. G., May ls.-President
Wilson's approval is the final step
necessary to-day TO make the army bill
law, and the president is expected to
sign during the day, after which be win
issue proclamation fixing the regis
tration day. The war department will
then set in motion the machinery for
raising an army in increments of 5o0,-
900 men from Fl to 80 years of age by
selective conscription. President Wilson
will determine whether Roosevelt shall
be permitted to raise the volunteer ex-
pedition, which the bill authorizes.
The final action on the bin by Com
gress was taken yesterday when the
Senate, by vote of 65 to 5, adopted the
conference report accepted Wednesday
by the House. The closing debate in
the Senate eentered on the so-cailed
Roosevelt amendment. Col Roosevelt
was vigorously attacked by Senator
Stone Of Missouri and as ardently de-
Tended by his friend, Senator johnson
of California
Il have listened with surprise and
chagrin and with humiliation to the re-
marks of the senator from Missouri"
said Senator Johnson Had the words
come from another or been uttered out.
side of the capitol we would have con-
cluded that the utterer desired that no
Americans be sent at all. That would,
of course, not be imputed TO the senator
from Missouri
What is it that is asked?" Only that
this man in the twilight of his life may
lay down that life for his country, only
that he may serve his country"
Senator johnson said Senator Stones
attack was a very sad thing in its in
lection of partisanship at this particular
time.
Senator John Sharp Williams suggest
ed that one side had played politics for
a certain position for some one and
the other side had brought politics in
by opposing this attempt.
Il hope with the balance of 10000,
900 Americans" he said, that we will
stop these useless differences among our
selves and bring the emergency before
us to a speedy conclusion"
Senator Hoke Smith proposed an
to the special army appro-
priation bill declaring the term exist
ing emergency" used in the war army
bill to mean the war with Germany and
attempted to get immediate eonsidera- |
tion. Senate Reed insisted on getting |
further explanation from Chairman |
concerning the latter's |
statement that it would be dangerous to |
send the bill back to conference. 81 am
getting tired" he said, "of being told |
that must do this or that because some I
thing is going to happen"
Senator Chamberlain replied that there |
was "feeling of unrest" among the |
,onferces and mentioned the several /
points of differences between the two
houses which might be reopened should
The bill be, recommitted
Senator Reed said It might be well to
reopen the question of conscription which
le believed was unpopular throughout
he country.
Objections to the bill because it is to
De operative during the existing emer-
.ency" and not specifically limited to the
var with Germany were minimized by
senator Knox, who said the difference
vas of "tweedledum and tweedledee"
senator Wadsworth pointed out that the
resent emergency might not end with
he treaty which will bring peace. but
hat the army to be raised might be
leeded in service for six months or a
ear thereafter.
The Senate's approval of the measure,
greed upon by the conferees and accept
d by the House, came late in the day
fter attempts TO send it back to con- {
erence, and an earnest appeal by Sens-
or Chamberlain, chairman of the mill
ary committee, for final action.
The eight senator's who cast the mega
i've votes were: II
Senator's Gore, Gronna, Hsrdwick, Kir- |
". La Toilette, Norris, Stone and Tram
nell. Senator Fall was excused from
oting.
What the Acts Provide.
Raising of armed forces by the selec- ,
i've draft system, imposed upon all ,
lales between the ages OF 2l and 80 !
ears, inclusive, subject TO registration \
nd certain exemptions from service. Q
Increasing the regular army to maxi :
lum war strength il
Drafting into the federal service of I
ational Guard units. v
Raising of an initial force by conscrip- I
on Of 5oO.0 900 men with addition Of :
10000 if deemed necessary. IL
Raising, if the president sees fit, Of
rlr divisions Of volunteer infantry. r
The Roosevelt smendmenti. 1
Increasing the pay Of all enlisted men 4
. follows. SIS additional monthly for L
lose now receiving less than S2l, com b
rising the bulk of the army graduated a