Evening journal., 1918-06-20
Baker FAV0RS IS
TO 45 MEN IN DRAFT
Tighter Grip by U. S. on
Man Power Virtually
is Assured
BACHELORS MUST
GO TO WAR FIRST

WASHINGTON, June 20-Secretary Of
War Baker has been won over TO the
program 10 extend the military service
draft act to all men between eighteen
and forty-lve years
There is no intention Of calling all
eligible men between these ages I'M
mediately into the army, but the pro-
posed legislation will have the effect
of what the English would call a
"combing-out process" and will give TO
The Government a flrmer control thO
ever over the man-power Of the
country.
It will enable the military authori-
lies 10 draft into the army older sim
rle men without dependents and thus
leave untouched for the moment the
young married men with children now
in the deferred classification OF the
original act
1t VIII apply the ''work-or-iight' or
der to many millions OF men not az
fected at this time. The army au-
.horities do not seek nor do ihey eA-
pect that Congress Will give thcm tie
fight to say Just where and at What
occupation a man shall work, Dut as
1 matter Of military necessity the army
ieels it must have the power TO say
hat II man Of recognized military
sge and qualification Is not devotlng
himself TO work connected with the
rar. then he must be called to serve
NTH the cOlors Of his country.
The War Department has not formal
n recommended the new legislation TO
Congress. but Provost Marshal General
srowder has been urging 1t, ond Sec
,etary Baker said yesterday.
If the amendment to the draft acI
to extend the age limits TO all men
eighteen and forty-flve years
s submitted TO me l shall recommend
hat 1t be passed.
This virtually settles the matter, for
here seems 10 be no doubt at all that
Congress is ready to follow the advice
Of the military authorities.
Secretary Baker had hesitated TO
come out fatty for the wider scope OF
the selective service act until he could :
inquire closely into the effect the draft |
ing OF men up to forty-lve years OF
axe would have upon the essential war
industries OF the country. He still IL
studying the subject, he said today,
but. he added, he thought the provis-
ions now existing in the draft law as
to the exemption Of men needed Tor
specifc war labor and essential IN
dustries would take care OF the situa-
ton brought about by the Increase IN
military service eligibility from thlrty-
one TO forty-ilve years.
There has been no hesltancy at the
War Department due to any TENDER
ness" for the men who would como
within the military purview OF the
new regulations, for 1t was realized
+ from the FIRST that the fixing OF the
age limit at between twenty-one ana
lhirty-one years was but the beginning.
Secretary Baker himself recommended
that young men Of nineteen be included
In the nrst draft law, but Congress felt
this would not be necessary, end the
age Of legal manhood was agreed upon.
Bows Make Best Soldiers.
It has been demonstrated time ana
time again, however, that boys be-
tween eighteen and twenty-one make
the very finest soldiers in the world
snd Il Is further admitted that in
cluslon in the army of the classes be-
low twenty-one has virtually neg
lglble effect upon the industries OF a
country.
IL Is DOIG lNll AhtA9 Ahoe
passes Congress at this session the
amended draft act will confer wide dis
cretionary powers upon the military
authorities, establishing perhaps an or
der Of precedence In which men OF
pertain ages shall be called to the
eolors.
For instance II IS said TO be the FIRST
plan of the military authorities to call
into the army all single men between |
thirty-one and thirty-six years OF age.
II IS believed these will flll the re-
1uirements Of the army for some time
to come, taken in conjunction with
the men who become eligible auto
as they reach twenty-one
years of age. -
Following the thirty-one to thirty
six class, probably there would be a
call for boys Of nineteen and twenty.
Next might come the eligible men be-
tween thirty-six and forty, taken Ia
with boys eighteen. IL
is extremely doubtful II men above
forty ever will be taken for active