Daily Kennebec journal., 1917-07-23
Senate Votes $640,000,-
900 for $4,000 Air
planes and 1OO,-
600 Men
MEASURE NOW ON
WAY TO PRESIDENT
Congress Provides for Great Air
Army Which Will Do Its
Share Toward Ending Euro
pean War

Washington. July 22.-The House bill
appropriating s64O.ooo.ooo for the avia-
tion service was passed late Saturday
by the Senate without amendment or a
record vote, and with less than an
hours discussion. 1t now goes to the
President.
The Senate's only dispute. with many
members expressing a desire 10 pass the
bill Immediately. was over an amend
ment of Senator Hardwick of Georgia.
to strike out clause authorizing draft
ing of the men for the aerial service.
The amendment was rejected. Sc to ~.
after Senators La Toilette and Gronna
made brief speeches opposing the draft.
Details of the plan for expending the
huge sum appropriated have been with
held, but II is known that 1t provides
for about $4,000 airplanes and nearly
100000 men.
The President is expected to sign the
bill Monday. and the work of building
one Of the greatest air fleets the world
has seen will be pushed with vigor.
During the first year officials hope to
produce at least $500. with a great in
crease the next year. For the first few
months virtually the entire attention
will be centered on construction Of stu
dent planes, and there has been talk Of
bringing British and French aviation
student officers to the United States for
training
In rejecting the Hardwick amend
ment. the dozen senators voting to
strike out the draft clause were: Borah.
Broussard. Curtis. Gore. Gronns. Hard
wick Kirby. La Toilette, McKellar. Nor
ris, Owen and Vardaman.
In vigorous speech opposing the
draft clause, Senator La Toilette said
that any war prosecuted by democ-
racy ought to be without compulsory
service.
Democracy ought never enter a war
that it cannot prosecute with volun-
teers," he said. particularly objecting
to compulsion for the extra hazardous
air service.
The Wisconsin senator declared that
he would fight for the repeal OF the
draft law as long a S he is in the Senate
and predicted that the draft will be
the main issue at the next election and
that 80 per cent. of the voters will de-
clare against il. He said he intended
offering a resolution repeating the draft
law.
Senator Gronna said he opposed the
draft provision for the same reason as
Senator La Toilette. Senator Lodge de-
nounced the publication OF statements
that he intended to oppose the bill and
flibuster against IL as a deliberate
and unqualified falsehood."
Senator Calder offered as an amend
ment the resolution of Senator Cham
berlain, cha rman Of the military COM
mittee, proposing to amend the army
draft law to make aliens subject TO
conscription. excepting subjects Of Ger
many or those eempted by treaty. He
said that of the 100000 registered.
over 100000 are aliens. Arizona alone
has 0 per cent. Of aliens.
Senators Wadsworth. Stone. Brande-
gee, Lodge and others also urged legis-
,ative action to subject aliens TO yes-
terday's draft as well as future calls.
Senator Stone said the fore gn rela-
tions committee planned to take action
regarding the treaty question and Sem
ator Chamberlain said the state and
war departments are being consulted
regarding his resolution. The latter said
that If possible the military committee
will act upon II this week.