Arizona republican., 1918-06-20
EXTENSION DRAFT AGE PLAN GAINS
 FROM NEW STAND
Secretary Baker Withdraws
 Opposition and Congress May Act In Accordance
 With Crowder's Plan
Republican A. F. Leased wlre1

lnSpuutlSdH "A. r. LcdScO WIrel
 WASHINGTON, June 19.-With- drawal by Secretary Baker of his opposition gave fresh impetus today to consideration of the proposal be- fore congress to extend the draft age limits so that the war department would have available at no distant date ample man power to carry out President Wilson's program of an army Of unlimited size for the war on Germany.
 Gathering Statistics
 Officials in the office of Provost Marshal General Crowder are engaged in the preparation of statistics show ing the results which may be expected if the draft is extended to various ages between IS and 45 years, the limits fixed in bill by Senator France of Maryland, republican. It is expected that this information will be presented soon to the senate mili- tary committee which is considering the France bill.
 Re-classification Result
 Early reports on the results of the classification of men by local boards indicate that more than 250,- 900 men will be added to class one by
  estimate of 100000 Operations of General Crowders work or fight regulations which become effective next July 1 also is expected to add to the total in the first class. Each dis trict is expected to have near the na- tional average of 2S.7 per cent of its total registration in class one when the classification has been com pleted.
 Crowder Stands Out
 These estimates were pointed tC today by some officials as bearing oul their contention that there is no i'm mediate necessity for changing the age limits. General Crowder, how ever, does not share this view, and re- gently told the senate military com mittee that extension of the age limits was necessary because at the planned rate of calls class one would be ex. haused early next year.
 Miners Not Exempted
 Members of congress from mining districts were informed today by Gen. eral Crowder's office that there would be no reconsideration of tht decision not to grant deferred classi- fication to miners as a class. Thi. will leave the matter of miners clas sifications with the local boards a. heretofore and in some quarters thu decision was believed to have beer influenced partly, at least, by tn, small number of fighting men left il class one.
 Announcement of definite rulings or what are to be termed useful employ | ment under the work or fight regu | lations is expected soon. An opinion on the status of baseball players i now awaiting General Crowder' decision.
 Secretary States Views | Amplifying his statement, with drawing his opposition to extending the draft ages, MT. Baker said toda, that the only reason for his havini | hesitated to submit a recommendation to congress on the subject was a de sire to learn the resulting effect upol vital industries of the country.
 The war secretary indicated tha any recommendation he makes on tn subject will include reiteration O his original proposal that 19 year be made the minimum limit. MI Baker has never voiced an opinion a to the proper maximum limit sine his first suggestion of twenty si years was rejected by congress.