The Sentinel=record., 1918-08-31
SENATE ADOPTS REPORT
 OF THE C0NFEREES
Senator McCumber Declared the Sen ators Would Find 1t Did Not Pay to Be CoWardly Either on the Battle Front or in the United States Sen ate.

Washington, Aug 30-Congress failed today again to complete the man power bill, extending the selec- tive draft age limits to IS to 45 years of age. Only the formality of the signing of the measure by the pre- siding officers of the house and sen ate remains and it was predicted that the measure will be in President Will sons hands soon after the noon con- vening hour It's immediate approv- al by the executive is expected
 The conference report on the bill, approved yesterday by the house, was adopted late today by the senate by a yea and nay vote--with but feeble op. position of the few senators present Senate debate on the work or fight clause was so protracted that the house adjourned before the bill could be returned there for the signature of the speaker. The rules require that signatures of the presiding officers be attached to the engrossed measure while the houses are in session.
 Senate debate today centered upon the elimination of the work or fight" amendment by the conferees.
 Senators Thomas, of Colorado, au- thor of the amendment and McCum- ber of North Dakota, vehemently protested against the striking out of the provision which has been fought by organized labor. Chairman Cham berlain, of the senate conference committee, defended the action of the committee in yeilding to house op- position declaring that the present law and regulations could If enforc- ed, meet the end designed by the Thomas amendment. Alleged failurel of the war department to enforce the law against union strikers was due 10 executive administration and not to lack of fiat from congress, Sena tor Chamberlain said
 Criticism of published plans of the war department for free technical and special education of drafted youths under q was expressed by several senators, denouncing the action of the war department in taking over schools and colleges as socialistic.
 Elimination of the work or fight'l provision was deplored by Senatorl Thomas, it's author, who said he con-l sidered that provisions as important if not more so than any other in thel almost always have been granted stimulating further demands and pre- dicted there would be strikes until thel public patience is exhausted HeI praised Fuel administrator GarfieId's refusal to grant demands of United Mine Workers The present work orl fight regulation never has been en- forced, the Colorado senator said, anal he concluded with a declaration that workmen who are exempted to workI and fail to do their duty are traitors, stabbing our soldiers in the back"
 Elimination of the Thomas amend ment also was criticized by Senatorl McCumber of North Dakota.
 What's back of it all?" he asked.
 "Cowardice, political cowardice"
 There was applause from the gallery Saying that he meant senator's fearI interference of labor organizations heI added.
 "You will find it doesn't pay to bel cowardly either on the battle front orI in the United States senate"
 The action of the senate conferees, was defended by Senator Chamberlain who repeated his assertion that Thei same results could be accomplished