The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-05-22
WAR ARMY MEASURE
HAS BECOME LAW

Teday's Division Still Possibility
Lett to Option of Executive After
Brisk Fight on Final Adoption
by Congress.
Washington, May 17.-Final action
was taken By congress today on the
war army bill, the second of the
major measures of the war.
The senate, by vote Of IS to g.
adopted the conference report &C
cepted yesterday by the house. wee
President Marshall and Speaker
Clark will sign the bill tomorrow and
send it to the White House for Presl-
dent Wilson's approval. 1t probably
will be law before tomorrow night.
AS finally approved the bill pro-
vides for raising by selectlVe con-
scription a war army in increments
of 100000 men FROM q to 80 years
of age. 1t also authorizes W1thouf
directing the president to raise VOL
unteer forces which Col. Roosevelt
desires to take to France and greatly
increase the pay of all enlisted men.
Machinery to register and draft the
first 100000 men already has oeen
set up by the war department. I'M
r,ediately after the president signs
the bill he will by proclamation des-
ignate the day for registration OF the
10,O0O,000 or more men OF the pre-
scribed age. Registration books Will
be in the hands Of State and. local
authorities, who are to cooperate IN
the work, and Brig. Gen. CroWder,
tie provost marshal general, expects
to have his complete lists in Wash
ington within five days after reg1stra-
tion begins.
To Be Called in Fall.
Then will come the task Of selecting
1 the first 100000, exempting the physi-
$cally unfit, those with dependents and
men who are needed on the farms and
industries. The process Of selec-
Hion probably will be completed long
before the men are wanted. secretary
Baker said today that because OF lack
of supplies, the new army would not
be called to the colors for training be-
fore September
Whether Gel. Roosevelt shall be
permitted to raise an expedition rests
with President Wilson His views
have not been disclosed.
AS during the early stages OF the
long dispute in congress, today's CLOS
ing debate centred upon the socalled
Roosevelt amendment. Col. Roosevelt
was vigorously attacked by Senator
Stone Of Missouri and ardently de-
tended by his friend, Senator John
SON of California.
Senator Stone attacked the Roose-
veit amendment on the ground thst
s'Col. Roosevelt is unfit to command
q body of troops because he has no
respect for authority, constitutional
,or otherwise" and described the pro-
: vision as "a scheme both personal and
political"
Roosevelt is practically without
military training" said Senator Stone.
.He commanded a regiment in the
Spanish war for a short ime, 1t is
true He led them courageously, put
did not command them with 3uos-
ment. He got his men into bad
hole. in imminent danger OF being
cut to, pieces and they would have
been except for negro regiment un-
der trained regular officers that came
to the rescue and saved snem.
A Political Scheme.
esThis scheme is personal and po-
litical. It gives Roosevelt, the poll
tician. a chance to exploit himself as
the great volunteer hero Of the war.
n t keeps everybody else out and gives
|RAin a monopoly of opportunity.
An impassioned reply was made by
Aenator Johnson of California.
AoWhat is it that is asked?" he said.
-.Only that this man in the twilight OF
his life may lay down that life for his
country, only that he may serve MS
country"
h The eight senators who cast the
negative votes were:
- Democrats: Gore OF Oklahoma,
8Hardwick of Georgia, Kirby of Ar
, Kansas. Stone of Missouri, and Tram
mel Of Florida.
Republicans: La Toilette of Wis
consin. Gronna of North Dakota and
Norris of Nebraska.
The bill, backed by the adminlstra-
ton, was introduced in the senate
april IS, was passed April 2S-in the
senate by a vote Of 81 to and in the
bonse 397 to 24-and has since been
tied up in conference, returned there
twice by the house to include the
roosevelt volunteer provision and
further pay increases for enlisted
ffen.
The Main Points.
The chief provisions are:
Raising of armed forces by the sc.
Jective draft system imposed upon all
males between the ages OF Il and 81
! years, inclusive, subject to registra-
10y