The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-19
Determined Politics Shall Not
Defeat Army Bill.
Believe Senate Will Pass Uni
versaI Service Measure.
WILL PUT IT UP TO PEOPLE
Delay in Congress Now Jeop-
ardizes Safety of the Nation.
House to Vote Monday on a
Compromise Measure.

Washington, April 19.-The ad-
ministration is determined that politics
shall not defeat The CONSUMPTION army
bill, which army men say is absolutely
vital to the safety of the nation.
The president will stand for no COM
promise. He favors the Chamberlain
bill which provides universal military
service without modification and will
fight for the passage of that meas
ure.
1t is the purpose to get the bill thru
the senate. then put the issue square
ly before the house. 1t appears in
evitable now that the bill will be
thrown into conference before final
action be taken on it. The house will
vote on its bill, which includes a vol
unteer feature next Monday. By the
terms of the measure the president
would be authorized to call for 100000
volunteers and if that fails to resort
to selective drafting; or If the presi-
dent desired-he could put the draft
system into effect Immediately and
issue no call for volunteers. This plan
shifts the whole responsibility for any
CONSUMPTION onto the president
Senate Vote by Friday Night.
The senate may reach a vote on its
bill which is only slightly changed
from the one the president wants be-
fore tomorrow night and the admin
lstration feels no doubt as to its pas
sage in the upper house.
While respecting the individual
viewpoints of those who oppose Sc
lective draft, President Wilson is un-
derstood to feel that this is not an OPP
perfume time for prolonged discussion
of details when it is vitality essential to
the welfare of the nation to raise an
army al once.
For that reason it appears likely
there may soon be something in the
nature of a blast from the White
House to jar congress into action.
The president is expected to resort
to his usual method of putting up to
the country the question of support
on measures on which he and some
members of congress differ.
May End Session by June 4.
Nothing is contemplated along the
lines of his "willful twelve" excoria-
ton but when he speaks it will be to
let the country know that those re-
sponsible for delay on the army bill
are jeopardizing the safety of the
country.
With completion of work on the
army bill in sight, the emergency war
program is nearing its end and con-
gress is again talking adjournment.
Many believe now that the session
can be ended by June l. Leaders of
both parties are sounding out mem
bers as to opinion on this.
Open IA Training Camps May 1.
without waiting for congressional
action on the army bill, the war de-
partment announced plans for civilian
officers training camps which will be
established May 1, at places thruout
the country. Members of the officers
reserve corps and applicants for COM
missions in the new army will be given
ed to turn out 900 trained officers
by the middle of July for the first
100000 recruits to be raised Other
prospective officers will be given
three months course. War depart
ment plans make no provision for pay
ing the men during the training per-
iod.