The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-06-26
NO CHANGE
IN DRAFI
LAW NOW
Extension of>Ages to Indude
Twenty to Forty TO be Held
Up Until Next
Session.
PRESIDENT Is OPPOSED

Iowa and Missouri 70 90 to
Camp Dodge In
July.
rB l. C. Martin United Press Stzn
Cprespondentl
WASHINGTON, June 25,-Secre1Ay
OF War Baker today told the senate
military committee that for the pres
emf the war department believes II
would be better not TO change the
draft ages This practically insures
rejection of the pending amendment 70
broaden the ages from z-31 To 2o-4o
Baker told the committee that ais
chief objection 70 changing the ages
through the amendment 70 the army
bill is that it Is not based on thor
oughly worked out plan.
The senate recognizes the necessity
for changing ages although a few
members are ciinging to the idea tna1
az ten million or more have been reg
istered it ought to be possible 70 draf
all the men needed from among this
number Repeated warnings that Class
one, made up of those without depend
ents, Ii shortly TO be depleted have
failed to convince these senators
Some OF them are opposing the change
on the ground that they don't believe
the war Department wants it
II the draft age question can be DIS
posed Of today. the $1,000, 100000
army Dill will pass.
The change in plans for extending
the draft age viii not endanger De
ferred classes unless some grave en-
gency arises making II necessary to
call many more than It is now antici-
pated TO call this year. Under the
present program the balance OF the
calls this year viii still leave about 3
600 men In class one ON January !.
1919
Extension of the draft next session
and a probable registration OF 21-yeT-
Odds in December or January VIII In
sure a new class one reservoir nom
which TO draw. In addition it Is be
Heved some 300. 900 men VIII be
added TO class one through the re-ex-
animation Of questtonnaires now I'M
der way.
Baker told the committee that this
plan win be drawn by the depart
I0e0l IL Ii ONCtuSN L&ioS q NAesHo~ -
essential and would be presented to
congress either late in the present
session or early next session.
Announcement of Bakers wishes is
IN he made TO the senate when the
discussion O, the army bin is resumed
today. :.
Baker expressed the view OF Presf-
dent Wilson, il was learned, although
he did nor. state that it was Wilson's
idea. He did not express opposition
to changing the ages except as to the
method. His desire, Baker told the
committee is that when this step is
taken II siall not be done 1piecemeaf
I but shan take into consideration
every contingency as well as the war
DEPARTMENTS ability TO train, equip
and transport additional men.
General March, chief of staff, and
General Crowder, provost marshal
general. concur, Baker said. In his
view that more time should be taken
10 consider the problem from every
angle.
Baker disclosed the fact that IAN
enlarged military program" is being
prepared by the war departm ent,
though he did not go into details.
81 presented to the committee state
rents that for the present there are
eror1gh men in class one sufficient for
our prospective needs an& when the
enlarged program of the United
states is ready for presentation to
congress we will at the same time
have complete data on which to base
any recomm enfstions for change in
| the age limits of the draft" said
Baker. after long session with the
committee.
The American army viii number g.
| 40 900 By September and Of these l.
| 10000 viii he in France, Senator
! Hitchcock announced in discussing
| tho oroposal to defer action on the
| Fall amendment
I'VE WIN have practically two mil
/ lion soldiers in this country when
/ congress reassembles after recess"
| emergency calling for action right
now
! General March and General Crowd
Ter followed Baker before the com
uiittee. Both agreed with him.
The committee Immediately voted
to abide by Bakers wishes and ask
the senate to defer action. Baker
was told, however, that when he pre-
SCENTS his enlarged program" prob
ably after the coming recess of con
gress the committee will insist that
the new draft legislation not change
the age limits but provide very
definite regulations as to whom shall
fight and who shall not.
The committee is practically I'M
'animous in support of amendments
which will give General Crowd.r the
fullest authority to carry his work
or fight order to the limit To this
end the new draft bill will contain
provisions for classifying drafted
linen as fighters or workers and for