Evening star., 1918-08-19
MARRIAGE ALONE
WILL NOT EXCUSE
ONE FROM DRAFT
Many Married Men Ought TO
Fight Willingly, Secretary
Baker Says.
HURRY MAN-POWER BILL,
OFFICIALS AGAIN URGE
Separate Glasses of Men 1s to -
and Those 10 to So Will
Probably Be Made.

and Those 10 to So Will
Probably Be Made.
simply because Of their married status
is not contemplated by the War De-
partment in preparing for the pro-
posed extension of draft ages. Secre-
tary Baker declared today In state
ment before the House military COM
mittes on the new administration man
power bill.
Mr.. Baker said his previous remarks
: on this subject had been mlscon-
strued. and that u.arried men who do
not support their families and who
are not engaged in useful occupations
will continue to be called
There are many married men in the
country who ought to go and fight as
freely as single men," he added
Immediate Enactmnet Urged.
The War Secretary, with Gen. March
and Provost Marshal General Crowder,
appeared before the committee at open
hearings to reiterate their explanation
given the Senate committee that i'm
mediate enactment of the man-power
bill is imperative to carry out the en-
larged war program
Eighty American divisions Of $4,000
men each, Gen. March told the commit
tee should be able to bring the war !,
to a successful conclusion in 1913.
That is the number the War Depart
ment plans to have in France by next
June 80.
this war" said Secretary Baker, one
way is to make every possible effort
to do it now. and the other is to pro-
ceed somewhat more leisurely and do
it late. The obvious advantage from
every standpoint. social. military. IN
every effort in this country and win
the war as soon as possible"
1s-Year-olds in Separate Glass.
Leaving an explanation Of the man
power situation to Gen. Crowder, Sec
retary Baker announced that because
Of objections to calling boys OF
eighteen he planned to defer their call
as long as possible and would not OBJ
ject to placing a provision in the bill
making separate class OF men be-
tween eighteen and nineteen years
and .deferring calling them, AS far
as practicable" until after others in
class L had been exhausted.
There is a sentiment in the COM
mittee," said Mr.. Baker. Il don't know
how large-against calling men as
young as eighteen unless it is abso-
lutely necessary. I think the senti-
ment of the country is to get all the
men necessary. But from the begin
ming I have planned, as a matter Of
regulation. to have men from eighteen
to nineteen put in a separate class.
with a view to deferring their call
until it is necessary"
10 to SO in Special Class.
Secretary Baker added that this
preference might well be left to ex-
ecutive regulations, but he would have
no objection to having written into
the bill a specific provision to make
a separate class for the eighteen-year-
old youths. He explained that in
planning to "sift out" the new regis
Gen Crowder already has prepared
to form two clasSeSmen from nine
teen to thirty-six and those above
thirty-six. leaving those between
eighteen and nineteen in separate
class.
Regarding exemption Of married
men, Secretary Baker was closely ex-
amined by committee members.
rs it the intention to exempt men
Just because they are married?" asked
Chairman Dent.
Marry to Escape Draft, Charged.
no" Mr.. Baker replied. explaining
1,ok tIa
ing deferred classifications for mar
ried men would apply to the hew reg
istrants. These exempt married men
who do not support their families, are
not self-supporting and useless occu-
pations and in few other conditions.
suggested that many men are being
married to evade the new draft, and
that the bill should provide that those
married after the new bill was intro
duced should not be exempt. Mr..
Baker said such a rigid provision Of
the, law is unnecessary. II left to
regulation, ne said, the department
could disregard all marriages deemed
made to evade the new law.
There are many married men in
fight as freely as single men," he con-
tinued, declaring that his public state
ments regarding exemption of mar
ricd men had been misunderstood.
Six Months Training in q. S.
That six months training In this
country is all that is necessary, and
all that men can expect was asserted
by Mr.. Baker.
In extending the draft ages, Secre-
tary Baker said, suspension, of aca-
denic education is an "unsolved
problem" of the situation. and that 1t
would be most unfortunate to have all
collegiate education stopped. He be-
lieved there still will be many youths
lcft.in such education.
The controlling reason" for lower
ing the draft age. Mr.. Baker said in
response to questions, is TO get the
men we need as fast as we need them. "
There are not enough men over thirty.
two, he declared. to meet the program
outlined.
College Mems Exemption Opposed.
Mr.. Baker said he is against exemp-
ton of college students as a class as
thoroughly undemocratic," but the
scientifically trained experts are need
ed and education OF such men must be
continued to an extent. II possible.
Mr. Baker said, it would be desirable
to select youths for scientific educa-
tion. Men injured in the war will be
sent to colleges after they recover.
and continue academic education in
the country, Mr.. Baker explained.
Regarding present exemption Of di-
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