Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-12-21
MEN AT cANroNMENrs 70 d
PERMITTED 70 GO HOME FOR
CHRISTMAS VACATIONS.
AS MANY MAY DEPART
AS RAILROADS CAN HANDLE
Resembling Of Order In RssPonss 70
Gsnsrai Proksst-Nsxt- Draft Call
Not Probable Before Feb. INA
tional Army Mon to 30 Equipped and
{ Clothed Before Entering Service.

Washington, Dec. 21.--A storm OF
critioism from all parts OF the country
forced Secretary of War Baker to re-
scind his order restricting Christmas
furloughs of soldiers to ) per cent OF
the men in camp. A new order tels-
gra,phed TO all divisional commanders
permits camp commanders to furaough
as many men as can be handled oy
railroads without congestion Of tranic.
In effect Secretary Baker leaves the
whole matter to the commanding of1-
GERS OF the camps. The new order re-
lieves him OF any responsibility for dis
appointment OF men in camps or their
families. IL there L. any criticism II
must be borne BY the divisional COM
manders.
Secretary Baker Sends Order.
The telegram sent to all national
guard and national army camps by
Adjutant General Mccain outlining
furlough restrictions Is as follows:
Secretary OF war directs that num-
Der of men to be granted Christmas
leave in each command will be lett to
discretion OF commanding officer. par
ticular care being taken not 70 permit
such number Of men to go on leave as
will further congest traffic on railroads
in view Of present congested condition
OF traffic"
Secretary Baker said Mat. Gen. John
Biddle, assistant chief Of stan. had re-
ceived reports from commanding offi-
GERS Of camps showing that q greater
number than per cant Of the total
strength in many camps could be han
died without railroad congestion. He
then amended his order.
Postpone Next Call.
As a result Of disclosures Of lack Of
guns and clothing in army camps and
the alarming epidemic conditions pre-
ton Of the question Of calling out the
second draft quota has been given up
by the war department.
Secretary Baker instead has brought
great pressure TO bear on the ord
nance. Guarterna6ter, and medical de-
partments to relieve the condition OF
the million and quarter men now IN
camps. Supplying full equipment Of
winter clothing to men In training and
the checking of pneumonia, meningitis.
and measles epidemics are tAAns TO
which the war department win bend
every energy.
The auartermaster and ordnance
departments have been given orders
not only to meet ali present shortages
but TO get a reserve supply q guns,
clothing, and equipment sufficient to
outfit all the men Of the second draft
quota before they are ca1od to the
coaors,
No Gail Before Feb. 1.
How late this will delay the second
draft call can not be determined. Sec
rotary Baker said yesterday there
would be no call before Feb. I. He
emphaticaily denied published report
that the second draft quota would be
called to the coaors before that date.
Instead it was indicated that 1t will be
after March i before the next call 70
drafted men Is given.
The general stan has recommended
that the second call be for 81. 900 men
instead OF 100000, AZ first considered
With the $4,000 Included In the drst
call, thousands OF whom are yet to
be called to the colors. this would give