Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 19??-1918, 1917-04-24

Colorado. arguing for trial first Of a
volunteer system. said that II con-
scriptionists were sincere they would
advocate not only emulation Of Eng
lands example in this respect. but
also would demand emulation Of
England's example in government
control Of railroads and waterway
transportation systems.
Advanced as an argument for trial
OF the volunteer system before resort
ing to the draft. Thomas read Roose-
velt's offer to raise and lead vol
unteer division TO the trenches. He
termed Roosevelt's offer as a great,
worthy. patriotic" offer.
Senator Gallinger called attention
to the reported refusal OF RoVsevelt's
offer.
Has that offer been entertained"
he asked Thomas.
"As far as know no offer to raise
volunteers has been entertained"
Thomas answered.
1T is my understanding that it
was refused" Gallinger retorted.
Such offers as this ought to be
needed before We resort to conscrip-
tion." declared Thomas.
Thomas attacked the "selective
elements" OF the bill as creating
class OF slackers and he assailed ex-
emption clauses as framed on the
ground of their inequality"
'The very class-slackers--this
bill is designed to reach. are exempt
ed under the provisions. For In
, stance. there is nothing to prevent
those exempted because engaged in
agricultural pursuits to continue in
that occupation" he said.
Senator LaFollette offered an am
endment to the army bill. proposing
to open up wide latitude in exemp-
tions.
Conscientious objections" to war
was the most important OF the pro-
posed exemptions. That such ex-
emptions would open doors for>slack-
ers and weaken the bill, was the re-
tort OF advocates OF the conscript
measure.
Other exemptions for exceptional
financial or business obligations or
domestic position" would be allowed
under LaFollette's change.
College students and students in
training for any line OF work and
persons engaged in work expedient to
the national interest would be ex-
empted.
LaFollette proposed to establish
local tribunals in each congressional
-dlstrict, composed OF men appointed
by the president, to hear exemption
pleas. They would be authorized to
grant certifications of exemption.
In the house, Congressman An
thony, republican, Kansas, charged
that munitions makers are behind the
propaganda to force selective draft
in the army. He said he would not
be surprised to learn that members
OF the American Defense society,
New York, who sent kilograms to his
district urging conscrIption, we're
stockholders in munitions plants. He
did not explain his reasons.
Passage OF straight conscriptlon
bill will rob the homes of the coun-
try OF youths "undeveloped physically
and mentally. many OF them with no
spirit to fight" Representative Fields
of the military committee declared.
1--WE need the best fighting force
we can get" Fields said. Under
a straight conscription system, we
shall get an army OF youths. two
beNeHlHH VI tutIh uhu'i 81 yN"'S w
ase."
Colonel Roosevelt's name and
views were again brought into the
debate, this time in an argument for
conscription, when Senator Frelng-
huysen referred to him as the father
OF the preparedness movement" He
quoted Roosevelt as saying that mill
ltary service should no more be vol
untary than payment OF taxes and
should be recognized as matter OF
right.
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