Evening journal., 1918-08-29
WORK.FIGHT Clause
OUT OF DRAFT BILL
Striking Out of Amendment
Indicates Quick Passage
of Measure
ONLY MINOR CHANGES
TO BE ACTED UPON

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29.-Ensctment
by Congress and transmission to Presi-
dent Wilson today Of the man-power
bill. broadening the army draft age
limits TO include men Of eighteen to
forty-fve years or age appeared as
sured when the Senate and House con-
ferees Unexpectedly reached a com
plete agreemnt on all important dis
putes after striking out the Senate's
"work or fight" amendment late yester-
day.
Adoption OF the conferees' agreemen1
by both Senate and House Immediately
after they reconvene at noon today was
regarded by the conferees as a GER
tainty. Only disposal Of two minor
amendments and drafting Of the formal
agreement remain 10 be done.
The work or fight" proposal was re-
earded as the only dispute likely 10
cause delay and the Senate's managers
consented 10 its deletion from the Dill
largely 10 expedite its enactment. some
complaint is expected from the senate
majority favoring the work or ilght
clause. which organized labor repre-
sentatives have vigorously opposed and
the House voted down, but adoption
today Of the complete conference report
by both Senate and House was regarded
as a foregone conclusion.
The amendments left for the final
conference today were those OF Sena-
Tors Penrose, Of Pennsylvania, and
France. Of Maryland. respectively, pro-
yiding that registrants need not claim
exemption or deferred classification and
for badges or insignia for men deferred
for industrial or other service.
Provost Marshal General Crowder.
who opposes the Penrose amendment
because 10 would compel revision or
millions Of printed questionnairees, ana
thus delay the new draft, Will meet
with the conferees.
In disposing Of other differences be
tween the Senate and House bills, the
coufsrees adopted the House plan for
government education Of soldiers. which
authorizes their detail for immediate
technical and special training under
plans already made. The senate man
ayers Welded on this difference and
aQreed 70 elimination Of the Senate
amendment guaranteeing free education
for soldiers and sailors after the war
rn IN A maximum period Of two years.
THO conferees struck from the bill
i,e House amendment authorizing re-
classl0csfion OF deferred classes by
snacisl examiners Of the provost mar
parshal-general-s by Repre-
sontstiVs Treadway, OF assachusetts-
and also eliminated the Senate legisls-
tion. requested by General Crowder,
authorizing transfer within states OF
draft board members.
Another amendment struck OUT Was
,bs so-called "co-belligerent" OF allen
Stacker" amendment OF hepresentallNe
NcCuroch. of Ohio, which proposed
that citizens Of the Allies In this coun-
try should not be. exempted OF given
deferred classification solely because ol
their alien citizenship unless so pro
vlded by treaty.
That army officers and West POINT
cadets will secure their uniforms ana
equipment al cost from the government
Virtually was assured by the confer
ess' action In adopting a substitute |
for the Senate amendment extending
that privilege to officers Of the Army |
Navy and Marine Corps. The subsu-
tIIie prOyldes that Army officers and
Military Academy cadets only shall he
supplied uniforms and accoutrement at
cost upon application, but subject to !
departmental regulations which may |
limit their cost and quality.
The House managers accepted the |
Senate amendment providing that wives |
OF soldiers AID sailors shall not be dis |
qualified for government positions be-
cause Of marriage.
grouping OF new draft reglstrants |
under the bill into three general |
classes. including those between nine
teen and twenty-One, thiriy-one and |
ihirtv-sjx. and from thirty-siX TO forty |
five. as proposed by the Provost Mar
shal General. it was explained, Is net |
intended to be used for the deferment
n calling any one Of these classes into
service. ., -.
The purpose OF this separation, u was
stated is TO facilitate classification ana |
make men quickly available to meet
draft calls. The only deferment CON
templated by the War Department Is
that of the eighteen TO nineteen year
men. whose summons TO the colors VIII
he postponed as long as Is possible 10 |
larry out the educational program now
being arranged.
Recruits Immediately necessary TO- or
eaplze additional units will be drawn /
from men In Glass 1 between the ages
Of nineteen and forty-fve until this
reservoir has been exhausted. but u Is
foreseen that these men may be used
up in some local districts before they
are In others. In such localities those
between eighteen and nineteen will be
summoned at once.