The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-06-26
WONT CHANGE
ARMY DRAFT AGE
At THIS TIME
BAKER TELLS SENATORS
NEW AND ENLARGED
PROGRAM,

Washington, June 26.-After Sec
retary Baker and General March
chief Of staff, had opposed revision
OF draft age limits and announced
that within 90 OF 90 days the war de-
partment would submit to congress
d new and enlarged army program
the senate military committee today
decided to oppose any legislation to
change the draft ages.
When the war department. en-
larged program is submitted, mem
bcrs of the committee, which vir-
tually is unit in favor later of ex-
tending the draft age limits, also
plans to prescribe by legislation reg
ulations regarding the classes OF
men who shall work or fight.
Such regulations, it was said, prob
ably would extend the work or
hght" principle.
No Definite Figures.
No definite figures on the enlarged
program were presented. 1t is i'm
possible at present, the officials said,
to give an accurate estimates, but
the government proposes to exert its
maximum power in the war. Studies
are being made OF the problems of
training, clothing, transporting and
feeding men, all of which are to be
covered in detail in the new pro-
gram, under the authority which
would be given the president III the
army bill to call as many men to the
colors as can be trained, equipped
and transported.
When the senate reconvened and
resumed consideration of the army
bill, Senator Chamberlain formally
outlined the statements given by
Secretary Baker, General March and
Major General Crowdcr.
Both the secretary and General
March are of the opinion" said Mr..
Chamberlain, that no change ought
to be made in the age limits at this
time. They say that in order to
have proper consideration Of what
the limits should be, a complete in
vestigation ought to be made of the
number of men now subject to the
draft, the number of men that can
be transported to France and the
shipping available.
No Harm Can Result.
They say that no harm can be
done or delay occasioned by post
ment of changing the ages until
September, and they very much ad-
wise against a change until this in
vestigation can be had.
The committee was advised that
troops are now being sent over part
ly in French and British bottoms,
and that there may be some
changes in that arrangement July |
either that the arrangement will
continue or more American tonnage
will be available.
They feel that before any change
should be made there should be a
full investigation before disturbing
the social and industrial conditions
of the country"
Vote Against Change.
The committee concluded by a
majority vote it would not be best
to undertake at this time a change
in the draft limits.
Senator Smoot of Utah asked for
General Crowder's views, and Sena-
tor Chamberlain replied:
General Crowder was appealed to
and substantially stated that it was
his duty to carry out the war depart
mcnt's work and not recommend
policies.
Il think we can all read between
the lines OF General Crowdcr's |
statement. and think he feels like
/ and many other senator's do. that
a change in the age limits eventually |
will have to be made.
They feel that no delay can be
occasioned by waiting two months
mr. So