Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-28

iRy AsNoriated Fr-ssI
Eoth houses Of Congress sat until
late Tonight 10 clear the way for pas
sage OF the war army bill. unticr which
millions Of men arc to hc raised and
trained Apparently enactment Of tho
administrations sclc"tivc draft by
larc" ma ajoritI"s is assured. although
tho volunteer advocates will fight until
the roll call.
Champions in tho House Of AN amend
mcnt designed to permit tufon.l Eoosc-
Welt 4" recruit a voluntary force for
Immediate service in France lost their
fight late to-day on tho first vote taken
after III" close OF the general debate
The amendment. offered by RcprcS"n-
tatiNo Austin. of Tennessee. and Wig
orouSly supported by Representative
Gardner OF Massachusetts. aud others.
was defeated. 10 To icG. Among those
VIII" voted for il was Miss Rankin. of
Montuna. who tearfully opposed the
war resolution.
The House leaders agreed to have
vote Immediately after convenjnE to-
morrow on an amendment which would
restore the measure to the form in
which i, came from tho War Depart
mont. eliminating the volunteer bill
substituted by tho military committee.
FINAL STATEMENTS
ny DENT AND KAHN
Dcbat" was closed early in the af-
tern"nn with f,nal statements by chair
man Dent for the volunteer section. and
Representative Kahn. of California. the
Republican member leading tho admin
iS,ration fight, for the general staff
p!an. Scores Of members spoke to-
night under the rule permitting five
minute speeches on amendments. One
Of tho first Was Representative Mann.
the Republican door leader who broke
his silence on the subject OF conscrip-
ton for the first time with an en-
rhatic declaration in favor Of tho staff
bill declaring he had concluded wc
must sulite our enemy. We ought 20
star, right, make no exceptions. and
declare that all men arc equally Liable
Ia military service" He said there
could then be no disgrace hereafter
in having been drafted.
On the Senate side the debate con-
tinued throughout tho day and tonight
with only occasional flares OF interest
from the floor and galleries. The leaders
have agreed To take the final vote
before adjournment tomorrow night
i; will pass the two houses probably
will ncccssitatc conference. but the
bill is expected to be ready for Pres
idcnt Wilson'S signature by the middle
Of next week. Then the plans OF the
War Department, already carefully
laid. Will he put into operation.
JONES SUPPORTS
SELECTIVE DRAFT
Debate in the Senate was opened by
Senator Jones. Republican,. OF Wash
ington. who supported the sclcctive
draft.
The man who must conduct the war.
our commandment in chief. urges it as
Il wise and necessary measure now"
said he. The military authorities. al
most without exception. urge it. The
Senate committee that hos fully cX-
amincd into il. recommends it. The
lessons of this great war point TO it as
a wise course. Why should not vote
for it,"
Senator Kenyon said lie expected 90
support the bill but wanted exemptions
in favor OF men in cmpioymcntS Of
military value changed so that The
bower OF enforcing such exemptions
would not lie in the hands Of military
men alonc. 'ic oppoSco the La Toilette
amendment for civil tribunals to pass
upon questions of exemption.
Tile Iowa Senator declared he favored
also All amendment which would per-
nit Colonel Roosevelt TO go to tho
front in command of American troops
1T would be an inspiring thing" he
said. 'if Colonel Roosevelt could lead
q division side by side with the Tricolor
Of France. Nothing would help bring
the war TO Il speedy end as much AS
that. But they say.it would dcmoralizc
our army. II seems to me il would
demoralizc the army of the enemy
more"
FtVOHS GONSCRIPrI0N
Or GREAT INCOMES
Senator Kenyon read figures to show
enormous increase in the incomes OF
corporations affected by the war and
added:
Il want 10 say that while am vot-
!ns for conscription OF these men am
going To vote later on for conscription
OF the great incomes of this country
TO help pay tho expenses OF this war.
'nnC y.i M ,,f