Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-13
House Reuerses Precious
Action and Votes
to Accept Senate
Amendment.
TBy Associated Press.1


WASHINGTON. May l.-The way
was cleared in Congress to-day for
Colonel Roosevelt. IL he is given au-
thorization by the administration. to
! raise division of volunteers for sery
ice in France.
Reversing It's previous action and
overriding the conference committee
On the army draft bill. the House
voted 2l5 to IFS TO empower the Pres
ident to extend authority for recruiting
such division. This sent the army
OH oack TO conference, but the Sem
ate already had adopted similar au-
| thorization during original considera-
| ton or the measure, and it's conferees
are expected 10 agree quickly 10 it
now
whether tho necessary authority
Will be given Colonel Roosevelt by the
administration is problematical The
army general staff, whose advice Pres
ident wilson has followed closely in
the conduct OF the war. is strongly on
posed TO such plan declaring volun-
I teer units OF that character have no
place in the great war army
The House voted the authorization
after stormy debate. Representative
Anthony led the fight for the Colonel
moving TO recommit the army bin TO
conference with instructions TO accent
the Senate's Roosevelt amendment
Chairman Dent, OF the Military Com
mittee. and many other Democrats and
Republicans fought against the pro-
posal. Forty-1vc Democrats and four
independents We're among those who
voted for il. and there were thirty Re
publicans voting against
CONFERENCE APPROVAL
ENPECTED WITHOUT DELAY
When the action Of the House was
reported TO the Senate Chairman Cham
berlain. Of the Military Committee.
withdrew the conference report for
revision and announced that the CON
ferees would meet Monday. The bill
with the amendment included is cN-
pected TO receive final conference ap-
prov.fl without delay and go to the
President Tor his signature by the
middle OF the week.
The language OF the amendment fol-
lows:
THE President is further authorized
to raise and maintain by voluntary en-
listment. to organize and equip not TO
exceed four infantry divisions, the Of
ficcrs OF which shall be selected in the
manncr-$sEEr"vided by paragraph of
section'>iEa this act: provided that the
organizat ions of the force shall be the
same as that of the corresponding or
ganization Of the regular army. and
provided further that there shall he
no cnlistments In said force Of men
under twenty-five years OF age at the
time of cnlisting. and provided further
that no such volunteer force shall he
accepted in any unit smaller than
division"
The vote came at the end Of. two
hours debate. -
DENT OBJECTS no CHANGE
IN CONFERENCE RErOitT
Chairman Dent. Of tbe.MiRtary Com
mittec. objected to ah%. Change in the
conference report. although he orig
inally sponsored volunteer amend
mcnts.
In eliminating the Roosevelt amend
ment the conferccs. nc said. had ear
ricd out the expressed declaration Of
both houses Of Congress.
Representative Anthony declared
that it would be impossible to meet
Immediately tho request for troops
he believed Marshal Joffrc had made
OF the War Department.. unless resort
was had to the services OF 100000
patriotic Americans who stand ready
TO enlist under the banner Of the one
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