El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-08-03
THOSE OUTSIDE THE DRAFT AGE
OUGHT TO HAVE TO WORK OR FIGHT

A SENTIMENT is developing in Texas most noticeaby
n il Austin IN Of another special session Of the
legislature to enact legislation Need for legis-
izon the only that could arise now to Justify
The expense Of another special session. but If another ses-
sion could accomplish worthwhile results did the
which preceded it. the achievement would be worth the
tine work and expense.
The chief argument for another session is that
TexasHeeds law supporting and experimenting the or
fight order issued by the provost marshal general
Washington. The generals order compels all within
ne cE age 10 apply themselves to useful occupations or
be indicted to the army.
The order does not apply to outside the draft age
Some law ought 70 apply TO them. TEXAS IS BELIEVED
TO HAVE SOME THOUSANDS OF MEN OUTSIDE THE
DRAFT ACE WHO ARE not ENGAGED IN USEFUL
OCCUPATIONS, including many who have no visible
paons whatever and who not reached by such vagncy
ordinances in existence. To create law to remedy
that condition the Texas legislature might hold special
session and at the time enact any other measures
which might be brought forward to aid in the prosecution
Of the
Texas Is short Of labor in many lines Every dav calls
published for hundreds thousands Of for various
industries and particularly for agriculture in which the
contingent Of young for army navy training
items gaps left in the industrial ranks The trouble
that not enough young men older men, left behind step
up 10 III those gaps Many prefer to remain IN non essen
tal occupations rather than 20 into work perhaps
lD.Ll1ls 4LoA sll stlelHl DlL more necessary 1IOl
ne naIions SURVEYS VI 1HE STATE MADE BY
STATE OFFICIALS ARE SAID TO DISCLOSE so MANY
I'm WHO COULD BE USEFUL IN ESSENTIAL oCCCU-
PAIIOES But APPARENTLY CANNOT BE DRAWN
INTO THEM WITHOUT MEASURES OF CONFUSION
THAT LEGISLATIVE ACTION IS BELIEVED JUSTIFIED.
Il is proposed call the special session early Sep
fember Bv that rme the need for harvesters will have
passed But labor could be made available for other lines
and could doubtless be utilized by the farmers IN prepare
tions for winter and early spring crops.
Other states have made laws Of the kind proposed They
effective in clearing the state of loafers New York
and New Jersey have both found that be true They
have also caused the transfer to useful occupations Of thou
sands Of who in less useful occupations Others
have removed states where legislation not IN
effect and that doubtless would be extent in
Texas However the state is nearly well off without
people who unwilling to be placed where they most
needed.
Gov W P Hobby has not yet indicated whether OF not
he VIII call special session Of the legislature IF is
assembled and the legislation above suggested is taken up
THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD NOT NEGLECT TO DE-
FINE USEFUL AND NON USEFUL OCCUPATIONS As /
CLEARLY AS POSSIBLE. That would be difficult IN some
instances and would have 10 be taken not to
do injustice any business The legislators would be
guided BY the proclamation Of the provost marshal general
obviously any distinction made by the Texas legsa-
would have TO coincide with the national inteTpre
tstion.
Close classification Of industries would be essential
Otherwise sherfs and police would be in the dark and
would not risk making arrests and enforcing the law IN
doubtful eases. AND The VALUE OF ANY LAW LIES
ONLY LITTLE IN ITS ENACTMENT-MUCH MORE
IN IFS ENFORCEMENT.
The whole matter is tentative Probably the gov
would welcome information from many parts Of
the state and many individual possible in
order learn the views Of the people the necessity for
the enactment Of this and any other About
weeks remain IN which decision regarding special
session nay be reached the legislature is to be summoned
in September.