American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-08-20
MAN-POWER BILL WILL
BE PASSED QUICKLY
Married Men VIII Not BE Exempted
As Glass and Youths VIII Be CALI
ed by Spring Chief OF Staff Believes
War VIII End Next Year.

Congress prepared Monday to enact
quickly the new man-power legisIa-
tion, extending the draft age limits to
Is and 45 years. General March told
the house military committee the pro-
gram should win the war in 1919.
While the house committee began
work on the bill by hearing General
March, Secretary Baker and General
Crowder, the senate set aside its sum-
mer vacation and will take up the
measure Thursday 1t appeared pro-
bable the bill would be debated sim
ultaneously in the senate and house
the last of this week and passed quick
ly. Senate prohibition advocates
agreed to temporarily lay aside their
bill and give the man-power program
right of way.
Before the house committee. Secre-
tary Baker and his aides again urged
action on the bill, discussing various
/ phases Of the enlarged program which
calls for an army of nearly 100000
Americans in France by June 80, 1919,
with another million in training in
this country.
Predicting that the war will be Won
or lost on the western front, regard
less of what happens elsewhere, Gen.
eral March told the committee that
with eighty trained American divi-
sions of about 10000 men each in
France, under an American comman-
der victory ought to rest on Ameri-
can arms next year. Reiterating his
belize that such a force could go
through the German lines at will
General March went further and cleo
trihed the committeeman by declaring
such force should bring the war to
a successful conclusion in 1919"
To exert this American man-power
in securing victory, General March
said, every single man" between Is
and As years in class l would be need
ed by next spring. Shipping facili-
ties are assured and maintenance pro-
\ blems have been considered on the
5 program.
Suggestions that the 10000 army
l. program would exhaust America s
5 man-poweT were laughingly denied by
d General March but he joined Secre-
e tary Baker in explaining that it repre-
Is sents Americas maximum effort for
e the present
r. Plans for calling new registrants
-" under the proposal. explained by Sec
e retary Baker provide for three classes
J. probably to be called in order, those
.e between 81 and As. and those between
r. Is and 10. Mr.. Baker did not object
-e to separate classification Of Is year
" old youths. but he and General March
said all eligibles probably would be
l. called out not later than next spring
Id The secretary told the committee
le that his previous statement OF the de-
,e partments intention 10 liberalize the
m draft regulations in dealing with the
at older men to be made subject TO cal
r. had been misconstrued. He said there
20 was no intention to exempt married
ne men ais class and that married mel
u who do not support their wives or are
IT. not engaged in useful occupations vii
re be called as they now are.
Discussing the work or tight
Mt amendment Of Senator Thomas Of Col
Of orado. to the senate bill, Secretary Ba
Ir. ker said it seems entirely consisten
to with the present regulations and il
MS unobiectionable He said it does no
h provide for conscription of labor a
IT. contended by representatives Of or
at ganized labor. but merely would be
Id declaration by congress Of the 'worl
he or fight" principle already put int
ar effect bv the draft regulations.