New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-19
Goes Himself to Capitol
to Labor with Law
makers
Senate Committee
Reports the Bill
House Now Is Yielding,
Though 1t May Insist on
Amendments

aSnlngton, April 10 by AT least a
two-thirds vote the Senate in the next
few days will pass the Presidents army
bill, providing for raising an army for
service in France by the selective draft
method.
President Wilson spent more than an
hour on the Senate side Of the Capitol
to-day, sending for Senators and urg
ing his conscription plan. One of the
Senators he conferred with, Mr.. Nickel
lar, of Tennessee, who was a member
of the House Military Affairs Commit
tee until March 4, had, just prior TO
the conversation, proposed in the SEN
ate committee the amendment on which
the test as TO the strength of sentiment
for the volunteer plan came.
The President made very plain to
those with whom he talked his deter
mination 70 have the staff bill enacted
There seems no doubt that he will ap-
peal directly TO the country. if neces-
sary, and tell the people that in the
opinion of the military advisers Of the
government, az well as Administration
officials, national safety demands that
the war army be provided under the
plans prepared by the army experts
after long study and consideration of
lessons learned from the war in Eu
rope.
Would Perpetuate Weakness
The War Department holds that every
weakness Of the volunteer system would
be perpetuated under the House com
mittee's scheme. A feature OF the
amendments providing for the selection
of officers from local units is regarded
by officers as particularly obnoxious to
sound military principles. They say
the task Of providing competer: Off
GERS under this restriction would be
rendered ten times more difficult, and
the efficiency of the army to be built
greatly reduced from the very start.
The President thinks that full oppor-
tunity for volunteers is offered under
the staff bill. since there will be room
for $4,000 voluntary enlistments in
the regular army and National Guard
for the duration of the war. In addi-
tion the door is thrown wide open TO
men who are qualified to become ofh-
GERS.
The Senate Military Affairs Commit
tee, by a vote of 10 10 T. ordered report
ed the selective draft bill, virtually as
il came from the White House. One
minor amendment bars the sale OF liQ
uor on military establishments. another
includes farm workers in the exemption
from the draft. canvass disclosed
that not less than sixty of the ninety
six Senators will vote for the draft,
and the number may reach seventy-five.
In the House to-day, while on the
surface there was sharp check to
the conscription plan and victory for
the volunteer idea, the situation is sub
atantially satisfactory for the War De-
partment programme.
The House committee. By IL TO 8,
ordered bill reported which provides
for 100000 volunteers after the Ma
tional Guard and regulars are recruited
up 70 full strength: The important
point, however, ~ that this bill en-
powers the President 70 resort 10 con-
scription whenever he thinks II neces-
sary.
House May Take Senate Bill
Assuming that the House passes the
bill in practically that shape. and there
is strong prospect that the House
will override the committee and eiimi-
nate the volunteer provision altogeth-
er. the Senate will disagree with the
House, after which there is no doubt
that the House will vote TO accept the
Senate bill.
There are nearly one hundred mem
bers Of the House who believe that
conscription is really the only system
for raising an army, yet who are anx-
ious 20 record themselves on at least
one ballot against 1t for the sake OF
their constituents. After that they
will apparently have conscription
forced on them. They regard this as
the best record for them TO show their
constituents the next time they solicit
votes.
Judge Advocate General Crowder ex-
planned not only the bill, but the pro-
gramme OF the War Department, 10 the
House committee The country. under
the conscription plan. will be divided
into tiny districts. preferably using
the present polling precincts. Local
officials will be used for the registra-
tion.
Every man between the ages OF nino-
teen and twenty-five will be required
20 register on ore day. Then the local
officials OF the various counties will be
requested b. the War Department to
sft these men, exempting those IN
necessary occupations. or for other
valid reasons. From the men not ex-
empted the government will draw" by
lots the 100000 men wanted for the
first army.
May Call for $4,000 Men
This number may be increased, as
Secretary OF War Baker to-day men
toned 724 900 AS the probable number
Of the first army.
Il is expected tina. the half million
conscripts will be under canvas by
August l. This date, being only a
little more than three months of, was
A surprise 20 the committee members.
but General Crowder was emphatic in
his declaration that the department
/ had figured the whole thing could bo
accomplished in that time.
With Mr.. Mcclellan voted Senators
Reed, Of Missouri, Kirby, Of Arkansasj
Hitchcock, Of Nebraska. and Thomas, Of
Toior.to Democvat.. New ~ Indisrs