Evening star., 1917-03-29
AID OF PRESIDENT
SOUGHT FOR BILL
Senator Chamberlain Goes to
White House in Interest of
Military Training.
SENTIMENT FOR 1T, HE SAYS

Senator Chamberlain. chairman OF the
Senate military affairs committee. went
to the White House at 3 O'Clock this
afternoon to make plea to President
Wilson to include in his address to
Congress next. week a recommends ton
for the enactment of universal mill
tary training law.
Before leaving the Capitol for the
White House, Senator Chamberlain said
that he had received no intimation
from the President what his attitude
would be on this important matter, but
that he hoped the President would be
favorable to the plan. The senator
said that he had no particular pride in
his own bill for universal military
training, but what he wanted was the
enactment into law of some such
measure. which would insure the train
ing OF the young men of the country
to carry arms for the defense of the
country in time OF need.
Sentiment Greatly Increased.
The sentiment throughout the coun-
try in favor of universal military train
ing has Increased with great rapidity
in recent months said Senator Cham
beriain. Men who did not believe it
was necessary n short time ago now
favor it 1t is the only really demo-
cratic and sure way of providing pro-
lection for this country l favor it
whether We are to become involved in
this war or not. I believe that 1t will
do much for the young men of the
country, as we'll as for the country
itself"
Senator Chamberlain offered uni
al will ira ittin
amendment to the army appropriation
bill. which failed because of lack of
time for it's consideration in the closing
hours of the last Congress. 1t was
by the Senate committee
after months of hearings on the sub
ject. Senator Chamberlain plans to
offer similar bill when Congress meets
next week. He believes that ii the
President would throw his support in
favor of the measure it could be en-
acted into law.
A universal military training hill has
been prepared also by the general stan
of the army. which calls for some-
what longer service in the training
camps by the youth of the country
than does the Chamberlain bill.
Change Of Feeling in Congress.
The sentiment in Congress has chang
ed greatly toward universal military
training during the last year. Many of
the senators who were opposed to it.
or lukewarm in the past. are now
strong advocates of the system, which
they claim is the only democratic
means of providing trained men to
fight the battles of the country. The
rich mans son and the poor mans both
must be trained and serve il called
upon later in time of need.
1t is expected that Senator Chamber
lain will take up with the President
other matters pertaining to the military
situation and that suggestions for leg
islation may be made.
The principle of universal military
training will be the subject of a con-
ference at the Raleigh tomorrow, at
tended by score or more ysof repuh-,
lican members-elect of the ne:it House.
A luncheon vill precede the conference,
which will take place about l O'Clock.
The committee arranging the affair is
composed of Representatives Macarthur.
Oregon; Greene, Vermont; Gray, New
Jersey: PIatt, New York; Gardner.
Massachusetts,. and Mccormick. Illinois.