Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-04-18
MANY MEASURES
T PROPOSED, ONE IS
DRASTIC SPY BILL
House Opposition to COnscrip-
hon Weakens and Bill
VIII Pass
PRESIDENT WILL GET
POWER TO SEIZE SHIPS
Also Railroads, TeIegraphs
and Telephones, and to
Draft Operators

Washington, April 1s.-In anticipa-
tion of speedy action by congress on
the draft bill, the war department this
afternoon had nearly completed plans to
have the first levy of 100000 men in
training camps by August /.
The first levy would be selected by
lot
Figures compiled by the department
show that there are about seven mil
lion between the ages of 10 and 25 in
the country, of whom about 60 per cent
would be available for service. From
these, by lot, the first levy would be
picked.
1t is planned to set the same registra-
tion day throughout the nation. Voting
precincts would be made the places Of
registration.
The president also saw Senator Me-
Kellar, who favors a trial of the vol
unteer system to the draft MeKellar
remained firm in his stand for a volun-
teer system and announced his inten-
tion to fight to the last for an amend
ment providing for a call for 100000
volunteers.
The bill as presented provides for
filling the regular army and national
guard to maximum strength - about
800, ,00Omen-and raising an army of L.
100000 by draft.
Several Amendments.
The amendment by Senator McEelIar
designed TO try the volunteer system
first was defeated by vote of 10 to Z
in committee.
The minority will draft report and
make a fight on the floor for the yOluu-
teer system.
An important amendment providing
that no liquor can be sold to soldiers or
OFFICERS in uniform or taken upon mill
tary reservations, was appended by tho
committee.
The seven senators favoring the Nc.
Kcllar plan against the draft feature
were: Senators Mcclellan, New, Reed,
Kirby, Sutherland, Hitchcock and
Thomas.
In the meantime, opposition crystal
lied on the house side into an amend
ment to the general staff bill, recon-
mended by & special subcommittee 10
the military committee. authorizing
the president to raise 100000 volun-
teers, but retaining authorization for re-
sort to selective conscription at any time
tue pFthlubIL uetlnS necessary.
Committee Favors 1t.
The military committee is said to
overwhelmingly favor this amendment.
Representatives Field, Kentucky; Cald.
well, New York; Shallenberger. Nebras-
ka; Anthony Kansas; Hull, Iowa, and
Chairman Dent, Alabama, were immedi
ately set to work to draft the voluh
teer service amendment
The committee . action follows
heated fight by the eight universal serv-
ice advocates Kahn, California; Tilson,
Connecticut; Green, Vermont; Crago,
Pennsylvania; Olney, Massachusetts,;
Harrison, Virginia; Lunn, New York,
and Mckenzie, Illinois.
While the army fight was on a reso-
luton was fayorably reported by the
senate naval committee authorizing the
president to requisition any ship or wat
er craft for use in war. Compensation
is to be determined by the president, In
the event the owner is not satisfied he
is to get 90 per cent Of the price set
and may for the remainder.
Another measure reported by the
same committee would increase the per-
sonnel at the navy academy. Each sem
ator and representative win thereby be
permitted to appoint one additional mid
| shipman.
Spy Bill Is Severe.
| AT the same time the senate began
consideration Of the drastic spy bill
another vital war measure. The bill
provides the death penalty for viola
tions of the provision dealing with
transmission of military or naval infoT-
Continued on page two.)