The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1918-01-16
Measure Would Require
Registration of Youths of
Age Since June Last.
FURLOUGH FOR
MEN FOR HARVEST
Further Legislation Neces-
sary to Perfect Draft Ex-
pected Without Delay.
By Associated Press.

Washington, Jan. 15.-At the re-
| quest of the war department today
Chairman Chamberlain of the senate
military comitree introduced a bill
for the registration for military duty
| of all men who have become 21 years
old since June 5, 1917, when the draft
law went iato effect.
Another bill which Senator Cham
berlain introduced at the request of the
administration would provide for fur
loughing national army men for har-
vesting crops and other agricultural
duty
Another bill would put the quota of
the states on the basis of available
men in the first class instead of on
population.
In determining upon the registration
of men who have becom 81 since the
draft law was enacted, the war de-
partment has rejected any plan to
raise the age limits of the draft to
tage in men more than 81.
Registration of men who have be-
come of age since the draft last was
enacted, was recommended in the re-
cent report of Provost Marshal Gen
eral Crowder as one of the means by
which a supply of men for the nation
al army might be assured without TAX
ing those who have others dependent
upon them. @
1t could be done All So the provost
marshal general pointed out, by ex-
tending the age limits above the pres
ent line of 81. The war department
had adopted the first suggestion. 1t
is estimated that iC will add about
700. 900 men to the draft available each
year.
congressman have been advised that
further legislation necessary to per
feet and carry on the draft and the
passage of Senator Chamberlain's with
administration support is expected
promptly in both houses.
Another bill introduced by Senator
Chamberlain would provide a distinct
i've badge or button for exempted men
The bill changing the basis Of state
quota is believed to provide a more
equitable system. as it will exclude
entirely enemy aliens from the basis.
Enemy aliens We're included in the
basis for the first draft and there was
much complaint. Heavy enemy alien
populations in some congested dis
tricts forced Americans to army duty
regardless of exemption claims TO
make up district quotas.
The bill to permit troops to go to
agricultural work merely would au-
thorize the secretary of war to fur
Tough men for civilian duty. 1t is
known, however, that the war depart
ment intends to use the authority prin
cipary to provide men for harvest
time and other agricultural work vital
to the food supply.
To facilitate collection of private in
surance policies held by troops anoth-
er bill would require private insur
ance companies to accept the offcial
army record as proof of death OF men
among the army insured. 1t is design
ed to meet the cases of men reported
missing to which there is no actual
proof OF death. In case of payment by
insurance companies upon policies
held by men reported missing and who
later should appear. the bill provides
for reimbursement to the insurance
companies by the government.
Exemption of the government from
payment of the new war tax on auto
mobiles, is the purpose of another bill
introduced by Senator Chamberlain
to deal principally with the large
government purchase of motor trucks.
Arrangements have been made by
the war department to fill from the
second draft some time this spring the
various vacancies in the coast artillery
caused by the organization of pro-
vfsionaI regiments of mobile heavy ar
tfllery for service in France. In a
limited number of men who have par
ticular aptitude for the special work |
Of the corps We're obtained from the
first draft but there is still a deficiency !
of several thousand. Unless some un- |
foreseen emergency develops. organi- !
izaton of regiments for foreign service !
in the corps will not be carried any
further than to complete the units
now in progress Of development.