Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-04-12
PRESIDENT WANTS
DRAFT BILL RUSHED
Visits Capitol and Confers With
Leaders in Congress.
TO FIGHT ALL OPPOSITION
Wilson Prepared to Battle for Passage
of CONSUMPTION Measure-Com-
promise Proposal Made
by kansan.
TO FIGHT ALL OPPOSITION

Washington, April 12.-"We cannot
win this war without an army" was
the determination reached by the adj
ministrati0n as President Wilson pre-
pared for vigorous aggressive fight
TO force the war department ''sekctiVe
draft" plan through congress.
Confers With Baker.
The decision TO concentrate all OF
the administration influence behind
the CONSUMPTION bill now before the
house was reached at conference be-
tween President Wilson and Secre-
tary of War Baker. Both had visited
the capitol during the day, and had
tested the sentiment of the house,
where formidable opposition to the
CONSUMPTION plan threatens serious de-
lay in the enactment of the army leg
islation demanded by the president.
1t was determined to press the selec-
tive draft bill at once in order to pre-
vent any further gain in strength by
the opposition to the measure.
Plan to Push Bill.
Secretary Baker, after his confer
ence at the White House, declared that
there would be no change in the ad-
ministration's attitude toward the con-
scriptiOn bill. and that every effort
to secure early action on the measure
would be made. 1t was understood
that the administration leaders in the
house will be urged to get behind the
l,
passed before the opposition grows tC
more threatening proportions.
Wilson sees Leaders.
President Wilson himself spent an
hour at the capitol IN conference with
Speaker Clark and Democratic Lead
er Kitchin. While various war meas
ures were discussed, the president was
particularly anxious about the con
scription bill. He was told that the
opposition had not been fully devel
oped but that it was by no means neg
ligible. Representative Kitchin him
self is opposed to enacting a perma
nent universal service law, but it was
suggested that both the Democratic
leader and other opponents Of the
general principle of CONSUMPTION might
fCregO their opposition if the admin,
istratiOn bill was amended to make
it plain that the 'selective draft plan
was to be effective merely for the pc
Rod of the war. Neither the president
nor Secretary Baker would commit
themselves on this proposal.
Compromise Proposal.
A compromise proposal was put for
ward while Secretary Baker was be-
fore the house military affairs commit
tee urging speedy action on the army
bill. Representative Anthony of Kan
sas, leader of the opposition, proposed
that a call be issued for 500000 yOlun-
teers while the first selective draft
increment Of 100000 was being raised.
Secretary Baker declared that the
department now proposed to bring the
regular army up to 267,OO0 men and
the National Guard up TO war strength
by volunteers before taking in the first
selective draft increment. Heretofore
the plan contemplated a regular army
of only 205,000.
The war -2parslent went ahead
with its plans for handling The .ow
army and complete arrangements were
ordered for the training and differing
OF the force. The department VIII be
ready to move just as soon as cor
greSS can pass thu Hill