New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-17
Military Committee May
Change Stand When Final
Vote Is Taken
Report to Senate
Will Be Favorable
Army Bill, Unchanged, Ex-
pected to Go Before
Upper Body To-day

Washington, April 10. AZ oHe c"u -
the Capitol to-day the Senate Military
Committee virtually decided to report
the Administration army bill, conscr'p-
ton and all, practically unchanged
The report is expected tomorrow.
At the other end the House Military
Committee. or a test vote, recorded IT,
self a. 9 TO 3 against the Presidents
law. if unamended.
There will be a minority report from
the Senate committee, signed by Sena-
tor Kirby, of Arkansas, and probably
others. but most Of the members o.
the committee, as indicated by Their
discussion of the bill to-day, will vote
for the entire bill, including conscr'p-
ton.
The Senate committee to-day com
plcted its section by-section considera-
ton OF the bill, Secretary of War
Baker and Judge Advocate General
Crowdcr spendng virtually the entire
day with the committee explaining the
features Of the bill.
Will Report Strong Measure
I'VE will report strong universal
service measure" declared Chairman
Chamberlain afterward. "and 1 expect
the Senate TO pass IL without much de-
Law. We will have opposition, TO be
sure. but the Senate will pass good
bill. see no disposition to val: for
me House TO ac:, but expect 10 press
for action on the army bill imme-
diately after the vote or the bond bill"
The one amendment which is assured
for the army bill is the exemption
from the draft of those whose religious
convictions prevent them from serving
in the army This exemption viii be
carefully worded and will not excuse
pacifsts.
The House committee vote is not as
discouragiug az it might appear at
first. Although majority against the
Presidents plan was shown, the op-
ponents led only by one vote. ana
there are weak spots la the opposi-
ton. The vote could not be termed
anti-conscription. The following was
said to have been the lineup:
For the Presidents plan without
change: Olney, OF Massachusetts,;
Kahn. Of California; Mckenzie, of Hi.
nois; Greene, of Vermont; Tilson. OF
Connecticut: Crago, Of Pennsylvania;
Dunn, Of New York, and Harrison. Of
Virginia. Total. 3.
Against the plan unless amended;
Dent, Of Alabama Quin, OF Mis2is-
sinoi: Gordon. of Ohio; Shallenberger,
of Nebraska; Caldwell. OF New York;
Anthony, o. Kansas; Hull. OF Town;
Garrett, OF TcXas, and Wise, OF
Georgia. Total, 9.
Fields. OF Kentucky, was present, but
did not vote NORM. Of Pennsylvania
and Nichols, Of South Carolina, were
absent NORM is for the bill without
change and Nichols is against II.
May BE a Deadlock
This presents deadlock. should
Fields vote for the Presidents plan,
as he is expected 20 do, before the bill
is reported.
There IS one vacancy on the commit
zee. which will be filled BY The Republ-
can steering committee. Should the
Republicans put a man OIL the commit
tee in favor Of conscription at once
without depending on the volunteer
.gstcm the Presidents plan would be
leDOrted out By a vote of 80 20 Q. The
,ote would be reversed if a strong
anti-conlcrirtionis should be placed
On the committee. Judging from the
rake-up Of the Republican steering
committee. however. the man selected
will be in favor Of CONSUMPTION.
Two men who voted against the
Presidents plan-Dent and Anthony
proposed amendments in the committee
which provide for conseription, out
after trial o! the volunteer system.
Mr. Dents amendment would give
tre President The right q. any time
after the passage OF the bill. In his dis
erection 30 resort 20 CONSUMPTION. M
tn.houy would provide that the Pres
den, might resort 10 conScription after
i've months after calling for 500 200
volunteers, In addition 90 The regulars
and National Guard.
Would Provide for I. RS Division
The Anthony amendment also makes
provision for the Roosevelt division. II
empowers the President TO appoint one
or more general officers in the volun-
teer army from among such former
officers Of the United States Volunteers
who are recognized as possessing dis
tirguished ability 20 command"
Mr Anthony's amendment as 70 con-
scription differs from the Presidents
plan in that 1t provides for the enrol
ncat by classes Of all men between the
ages Of twenty ard forty physically
capable Of military service % that Ere
President could call OUT the classes
from twenty 20 twenty-five, and then
from twenty-h 20 tWenty-eight and 30
/ on as the necessity might arise.
The President plan makes no refer
ence 20 classes and hxes the ages At
! from eighteen 90 twenty-five.