Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-08-19
MARRIAGE ALONE
WILL NOT EXEMPT
MEN FROM ARMY
Way to Win War Is to Push
1t to Quick Conclusion,
Says Baker
YOUTHS ARE TO GO LAST
BOYS Between IS and 19 Not
to Fight Until Services Are
Absolutely Needed

Washington, Aug. 19.-Eighty
American divisions of $4,000
men each, General March told
the House Military Committee
to-day, should be able to bring
the war to a successful con-
clusion in 1919" That is the
number the War Department
plans 70 have in France by next
June 80.
The eighty division plan, Cen
eral March said, depended on
shipping facilities, but he added: !:
Il might as we'll say right here,
frankly, that the program of Mr..
Schwab will take care of the
army program and gain on it.
Exemption of married men simply
because of their married status is
contemplated by the War Depart
ment in preparing for the proposed
extension of draft ages, Secretary
Baker declared to-day in a statement
before the House military commit
tee on the new administration man-
power bill.
Mr.. Baker said his previous re-
marks on this subject had been mis-
construed, and that married men
who do not support their families
and who are not engaged in usefu!
occupations will continue to be call
ed.
Ought to Fight
There are many married men in
the country who ought TO go md
fight as freely as single men," he
added.
The War Secretary, with General
March and Provost Marshal General
Crowder appeared before the House
committee at opening hearings TO
reiterate their explanation given the
Senate that immediate enactment of
the manpower bill is imperative in
order to carry out the enlarger war
program.
There are two ways of prosecut-
ing'this war" Mr.. Baker said. :" One
way is to make every possible effort
to do it now and the other is to pro
Ceed more leisurely and do it later.
The obvious advantage from every
standpoint, social. military. indus
trial and economic,Sis to put forth
every effort in this country and win
lIt wal 'tS SOON as possible.
Boys Go Last
Leaving an explanation of the
manpower situation TO General
Crowder, the secretary announced
that because of objections to calling
boys of l he had planned to defer
their call as long as possible and
would not object to placing a pro g.
vision in the bill making a separate
class of men between IS and 10
years and for deferring calling them
"as far rs practicable" until after
others in class one had been exhaust
ed.
There is a sentiment in this COM
mittee.' said Mr.. Baker. Il don't
know how large, against calling men
as young as Is unless it is absolutely
necessary I think the sentiment of
the country is to get all the men
necessary. But from the beginning
| have planned as a matter of regu-
lation, to have men from is to 10
put in a separate class, with view
to deferring their call until it is nee
essary.''
He added that this preference
might well be left to executive regu-
lations, but he would have no OBJ
lection to having a specific provision
written into the bill.
TO Get Quick Training
As to how long before men called
under the new law will go across,
Baker said not more than six
months training would be given at
home.
In extending the draft ages, Sec
retary Baker said. suspension of
academic education is an 'unsolved
problem of the situation. and that
1t would be most unfortunate to have
all collegiate education stopped. He
believed there still would be many
youths left at school, but was against
exemption of college students as a
class, as thoroughly undemocratic." :"
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