The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-05-12
HOUSE WROUGHT UP
OVER TEDDY'S ARMY
Debate on COnscript Bill Csnters
on T.R.
tcontinued from IrIrst Page.l

Continued from First Page.)
gave Joe Wheeler, Of Alabama, a gen.
eraIship in the Spanish-American
war"
Two hours were allowed for discus
sion of the Roosevelt amendment, and
the cheering and handclapping was
almost continuous, as members made
fiery two or Ave minute speeches.
Nearly twoscore members debated the
Roosevelt proposal, and the attend,
ance on the floor was unusually large
t. r. Fight Starts Early.
The tight to include in the army
draft bill the Harding amendment
authorizing the acceptance of the
services Of the Roosevelt volunteers
opened as soon as the House met to
day. The Roosevelt amendment sup
porters offered a motion to send the
conference report on the army bill
back to the conference committee
with instructions to include the
Roosevelt amendment
The motion to recommit was offered
by Congressman Anthony OF Kan
sas, a conferee on the bill A unani-
nous consent agreement was reached
that the debate on the conference re-
port should continue for two hours.
Administration leaders, taking no
chances, made a point OF no quorum
to bring in absentees to hear the
opening speech OF Chairman Dent of
the Military Committee against the
Roosevelt amendment Business was
halted nearly an hour.
Congressman Gardner of Massa-
Lenroot OF Wisconsin. and
Anthony of Kansas. were selected by
the advocates OF the Roosevelt
TO lead the fight for its
1t was admitted the vote
would be close.
Colonel Roosevelt wired Senator
and Mr.. Gardner last night
that he did not desire to hold up the
army draft bill.
Dent Defends Course.
Defending elimination of the
amendment, Dent said:
by vote OF 10 to 1Os this House
voted against the principle Of the
Roosevelt amendment when the army
bill was pending here. l favored
then and favor now the volunteer
system. There is no logic whatever,
In voting for the selective draft, and
then turning around and saying we
shall give a special privilege to vol
unteer to some favored person"
Mr.. Cramton OF Michigan interrupt
ed to say that several hundred thou
sand volunteers are TO be allowed in
the national guard.
what will be the harm in permit
ting a few more to volunteer" he
asked.
IF you are going to let a few, you
should let ALL replied Dent. why
show preference to the Roosevelt
Dent aroused considerable applause,
especially from Southern members,
when he said the conferees had agreed
on a provision for the appointment of
civilian rather than military boards
in every county TO supervise the en-
rollment and draft Of men eligible for
service.
you say you stood by the House
decision on the Roosevelt amend
ment," complained Mr.. Mccormick of
Illinois. IF you will turn to the
record you will see the House voted
270 to 6 for the twenty-one to forty
year age limit for CONSUMPTION. Yet
you have changed the draft ages to
to thirty"
That was a Question of compro-
mise between the two houses" said
Dent.
When Congressman Anthony es-
poused defeat of the conference re-
port because OF the striking out OF
the Roosevelt amendment, Congress-
RrfF Of 81 r..
general stan favored the idea Of
the Colonel to France.
81 do not know what the general
stan wants" said Anthony, but 1 do
know that the American people want
him to CO."
Southern Members GrOan.
There was loud applause at this,
few Southern Democrats
emitted groans.
Does the amendment mention
Roosevelt?" asked someone.
NO, but there is but one American
apable or such leadership" said Mr..
anthony, and again there was yelling
md handclapping.
Congressman Austin asserted that
( a Democratic Senate can give a ma
'ority OF more than twenty for the
roosevelt amendment the House
'ught to do likewise.
Anthony referred to the desire of
members OF the French commission
hat American soldiers be sent 10.
france as soon as possible.
Mr.. Sherley OF Kentucky attempted
o get in a word that Marshal Joffre
wanted only trained American sol
iers, but Mr.. Anthony would not be
in his speech lauding COL
mel Roosevelt.
Opposition to the Roosevelt amend
nent hRs developed the first political
ote sounded at this session OF Con-
-ress and deplore it,, said Gardner.
Who declared nothing would more in
pire the allies and enthuse Ameri-
ans than the sight OF Colonel Roose-
cit and his division hoarinE the
tara and Strinaa $3.50