Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-08-29
SEPTEMBER I SET
AS PROBABLE DATE
FOR Registration
coFeReEs ARE AGREED ON ALL
BUT A FEW MINOR PROVISIONS
or 1a45 DRAFT 5lLl-F'NAl
VOTE EXPECTED TODAY.

By Sam W. Hall Jr., STAFF Core
spondent of the International News
Service.
Washington. Aug as-The new
man poker bill, stripped of the work
or fight amendment, probably will be-
come a law before tonight. This Will
permit the provost marshal general
to set Saturday, Sept. 7, as the date
for the registration Of the 100000
men and boys OF the ages OF IS to As
the provisions of the bill.
Senate and house conferees made
rapid progress in squarlng the differ
ences in the measure as II passed the
two bodies and oh adjournment last
night only two provisions had not
been agreed upon. Failure to accept
these was due to objections offered
by officials of the war department.
The work or fight provision In
corporated In the bill by the senate,
but rejected by the house when the
measure was under consideration
there, was the big point of difference
in the bill as II went TO conference
1t was pointed ont that this provision
in. the bill simply writes into the law
what is already covered by the regula-
lions under authority OF the first
draft law.
When this argument was presented
by the house conferees, who declared
they would insist upon the provision
being struck from the bill, the SEN
ate conferees receded and agreed to
strike II out.
1t is believed the senate will vote
to uphold the action of its conferees
rather than delay final passage OF the
bill because the other changes made
in conference are of minor nature.
The, McCulloch amendment, passed
by the House but not by the senate,
which provided for the draft of the
nationals Of co-belligerent nations.
was 'lost' from the bill in confer
cone.
Some treaties have been negotiated
and others are pending which will
permit the rounding up of cobelliger
ent nationals in the United States,
either for service in the American
army or that of their native country.
The senate conferees did not believe
such a provision should find place in
draft bill purely for the purpose Of
United States.
The two provisions pending are the
Penrose amendment, which provides
that the RESISTANT need not claim
exemption in his QUESTIONABLE and
that the local board shall exempt
without claim upon the facts before
them, and the France amendment pro-
viding suitable badge or insignia
for men honorably exempted from the
draft.
Provost Marshal General Crowder
has so framed the QUESTIONABLE for
the new registrants they will have TO
make all sorts Of claims for 9xemp.
tion in their answers to the ldes.
tons and has had many thousands Of
them Printed.
On tlis account alone he is 1pncs
ing the Penrose amendment, al hongn
SECRETARY Baker and other officials
OF lie war department have re.
ic1'cdly stated they were seoNn, n
way to exempt men with Deepen Tents
and men in essential industries with,
out forcing them to claim exemp.
ton
For some reason the provost mar
shall generals Office is still insist
ing, in spite of the stateMents of the
secretary of war and the vote of the
senate. Gen. Crowder has been sum.
moned to meet the conferees .omor
row morning, and If he cannot Offer
better reason for his opposition the
provision probably will be adopted
Demand for such provision has
been proved to be nationwide by the
communication that have come to
congress and the war department
General Crowder will also be cues
toned about the French amendment,
wh1eh will require the local boards tc
iufnish Identifying badges TO men
Wbo nave been honorably exempted
Tire senate conferess agreed Il
take the house provision which pro
rides for technical training of youn,
soidiers p place Of the amendment
which provided for their education
after they have completed their serv
ice IN TIE war. II such a law Is re
CURED, II was argued. It can be en-
acted at ting close Of the war
The cohferees, however. agree,
upon Senator Falls amendment
which gives the soldiers under 9
the same homestead rights as thos
who have attained majority.
There was little surprise for IN,
senate conferees when the hous,
conferees accepted the senate amend
ment for the government to furnish
officers uniforms and equipment a
cost price. This provision wa