The sun., 1917-05-11
CONSUMPTION AGE
PLACED AT 81 TO 50
Congress Conference Agrees
on Many Changes and Bill
Goes In To-day.

Wash INGroN. May I0.-The army
conscription bill upon which couferees
agreed to-day after dscarding the Sem
ate amendment authorizing Col. Roose-
welt to raise volunteer army will
probably he laid before Congress to-
morrow for final approval.
Advocates O. the Roosevelt: plan will
make final effort TO bring about it's
adoption by voting against the confer
ence report. but odds are against them.
The bib as agreed on fixes the age
limits for conscription az 81 and so
years inclusive. making it applicable TO
ali voters under the age OF 81. The en-
emptions remain virtually the same. but
provision Is made for the creation of an
elaborate system OF boards to decide
upon exemptions and for boards of ap-
peal in each Federal judicial district.
From the bill as agreed on hv the
conference committee several Senate
amendments in addit!an 20 those pro-
viding for the authorization OF the
Roosevelt plan have been eliminated.
The provision to give the chiefs of bu-
reaus OF the War Department the rank
and pay of Mayor-Genera! was also
dropped in conference, Several pro-
Visions We're inserted In the bill and sew
eral were rewritten ana expanded.
Among these are the following:
\ provision authorizing the Presi-
dent to change the makeup of military
units. brigades. divisions and army
corps. and specifically to add to each
infantry and cavalry brigade three
machine gun companies. and TO each
infantry and cavalry division four ma.
chine gun companies, and to organize
for each division an armored motor car
machine gun company.
A provision making persons eX-
empted because Of their religious views
liable for non-conbatant service.
A provision authorizing the Presi-
dent to establish boards, the members
of which shall he chosen from local
authorities. one for each county and
one for each $4,000 of population in
the cities. to determine exemptions.
A board Of appeal is authorized for
each Federal judicial District
A provision permitting persons tenn
porarily absent from their places Of
residence TO register by mail.
The bill as agreed upon fixes the rate
Of pay for soldiers as follows:
All enlisted men Of the army in active
service whose base pay does not exceed
SCI a month shall receive an increase Of
s24, an increase Of 50 a month those
whose base pay is sac. s3s or $40. an
increase Of So a month, and those whose
base pay Is si5 or more. an increase Of
IS month.
In addition the President is author
ICED to exclude or discharge from draft
the following: County and municipal
officers. custom house clerks, postal EN-.
ployees. workmen In navy yards or
arsenals or armories others In the Fed
eral Governments employ whom the
President may designate pilots and
mariners actually employed In sea ser.
vice: persons enga ged in industries. in
cluding agriculture. found to be neces'
sary TO the maintenance of the military
establishment or the effective operation
OF the military forces or the maintenance
Of national interest during the emer-
ucncy those having persons dependent
upon them for support. and those found
to he physically or mentally deficient