Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-04-23
ARMY DRAFT FIGHT
ON IN BOTH HOUSES
Lower Body Debates Commit
tee Substitute, Senate Dis
cusses Administration Bill.
Mr.. STONE SCENTS LOBBY

The administration bill to create a
/, big war army by selective draft was
under debate in both houses of Con-
sress today. 1t was taken up in the
| House for the first time and in the sen
| ate debate was resumed.
The House bill, as reported by ma
| iority of the committee. provided for
volunteer enlistment with conscription
only as last resort, and the fight for
this measure was led by Chairman
! Dent of the military committee, whose
supporters felt sure that they wouio
make good showing.
A strong element in the House. now
plan advocated by the army general
staff and recommended by the military
,, committee minority, led by hepre
sentative Kahn of California. a repuo-
lican.
alton is the general staff's measure.
Debate in House Limited.
In the House the bill was taken up
under an agreement providing for
eighteen hours of general debate. to be
Refore the bill was formally taken
nm in the Senate. Chairman stone OF
the foreign relations committee read
several telegrams from Missouri con-
stituents urging conscription ana not
the volunteer system OF raising an
army m
II am curious" said the senator. Ito
know what made these good people
change their minds. Not that II makes
any difference. because I am going to
vote for this bill. but 1t seemed curious
that l should get many kilograms at
the same time with the same view ex-
pressed"
amendment to the bill authorizing the
President to permit the raising OF not
more than four divisions. aside from
the troops raised by conscription.
Says People Want conscription.
Senator Weeks. speaking for the Sc
lectiye draft. said. to his mind. the
voice of the people demands conscrip-
ton, or would demand 1t IL they were
correctly informed.
when war was declared with Ger
many" said Senator Weeks. "the Presi-
dent was directed to employ the entire
naval and military forces OF the United
States to bring 1t to successful con-
clusion, and we pledged all the re-
sources Of our country for that pur-
pose. The question we must now con-
y..;s.rs i.sss Il asE - 81 zssss Il siss INA sss
-Ar1 wss:t. % NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
has been d4mcnstrAted over and pver
again A. iil-advised and disastrOus, or
are we TO turn our attention to the ex-
periences OF other countries and take
from their experience those lessons
which will enable them to steer clear
of the follies Of the past? That is really
the dividing line between general serv-
ice and volunteer service, between eff
cheney and ineficiency. and between the
judgement of those who through some
delusion would make our country in its
hour Of greatest need ineffectiye.-ifn not
impotent."
Draft Has Always Been Necessary.
Whenever we have engaged in great
war it has been necessary to resort to
draft in. order to bring it to successful
conclusion
'It cannot be an unreasonable position
to say that the citizen shall respond to the
just requirements of government. We
compel him to observe all laws and regu-
lations concerning public health we COM
pei him. except when reasonable excuse
is offered, to serve on the jury. and there
are innumerable other civil examples to
snow tne pOiiCy OI tuc government III
ouiring its citizens to support 1t in tire
Of peace and to help in proportion to their
capacity and opportunity. in maintaining
III. laws.
"If it is practicable to permit such ac-
ton in timeof peace, how much more nee
essary must 1t be to require from every
citizen In time of war those things which
he can best do to maintain and uphold
his government
There is nothing In national compul-
sion that is repellent to democracy. pro-
nized as beneficial to the nation. II there
were. it would reject governmental regu-
lation Of the hours Of labor. compulsory
insurance and compulsory education. A
system OF compulsory military training
should be established.
No Time Limit Fixed.
When the House began debate on the
war army bill today it was agreed that
the debate should run on today until 6
o'clock. Chairman Dent OF the military
committee, who favors call for volun-
teers while the conscription registra-
ton machinery is being put in shape
for operation. opened the debate. He
was greeted with applause when he be-
gan his speech.
He said that his difference with the
administration over the adding Of the
volunteer amendment to the straight
ont selectIve conscription bill that was
drawn by the Secretary Of War was
most embarrassing to him. II have
been TO the President and to the Sec