Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-18

cile the opposition of certain Congress-
men to a selective conscripton military
service.
All those who can recall England's
early experience In the present worlds
struggle in the matter of military serv-
Ice cannot help but feel that we should
profit by It's unfortunate experience and
avoid its terrible and costly mistakes.
What justice could there be in any
form of military service that would
permit the patriotic and enthusiastic
youth of this country to offer up their
services. and in many instances their
lives, and at the same time allow the
less patriotic and more mature and
selfish persons to escape responsible
ties and penalties that accompany such
patriotic duty?
Aside from the military necessity of
the hour. the United States as a nation
absolutely requires universal military
service. IT is the only thing that will
make the youth of the country UNDER
stand the meaning Of the word disci-
pline. Almost every parent, and surely
every employer of men and women,
realizes what tremendous value uni
rersal military service could render to
the entire country in times Of peace.
ALBA B. JOHNSON, president Baldwin
Locomotive Works:
The Government does not ask the
People to volunteer to pay taxes. 1t Is
a matter of compulsion. ! think the
obligation should be equal. Every man
is part of the country and should do
his share to protect 1t. Conscription Is
the only practical plan. The Govern
ment should not be obliged to tike an
unnec essary chance.
ERNEST T. TRIGG, president Chamber Of
Commerce:
ian, ;r tl,A mi, ,I
sensible way to build up the service.
Englands experience proves it is the
cnly thing to do II we desire to make
any showing at all. 1t is no time for
experimenting when we know that the
only method by which results may be
obtained is through conscription,
II. X. MULFORD. president of the H. X
Mulford Company:
am unreservedly in favor Of the Sc
lective' conscrption system. We must
learn by the experience England had
with the volunteer system in endeavor-
ing to raise large armed force quickly
and also to assemble supply systems.
The volunteer system taxes those least
able to be spared. The selective system
will be found by all means to be the
best.
NATHAN T. FOLwELL:
believe in trying the volunteer plan
.. little longer. but IL it does not bring
results, then l say let us have con-
scripton by all means.
GENERAL AVERY ID. ANDREWS, director
of the department of military service o.
the Pennsylvania Committee of Public
Safety:
/ am very strongly in favor of the
army bill prepared by the General Staff
in Washington. Selective conscription
is the only fair system and 1t is efficient
and prompt. We want an army and We
want one quickly. The country wants
the men best suited for service in the
army to be in the army and the e whose
services are needed at home stay at
home.
The plan is for an enrolment Of every
one in the country liable for service.
When this enrolment should be COM
p;eted a choice may be made and the
men more valuable at h,me will be
known. This is a business-like way of
going about the work. The selective
plan will perform its task and do it
well.
+. WALTER CLARK, director of the de
partment of naval service of the Penn
syvania Committee Of Public Safety:
The selective conscription plan is the
only one that should be considered, be-
cause it Is the only one that will raise
an army 1 don't think there Is any