South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-08-10
SECRETARY is
DISSATISFIED
WITH SYSTEM
Government to Do Classifying
Rather Than Leaving II to
RegiStrant-BoyS Will
be Deferred.


New draft regulations under
which the government would do
the classifying rather than leav-
ing it to the registrant, are I'M
der consideration by the war de-
partment This was disclosed
today by Sec'y Baker after he
had appeared before the senate
military committee to urge.
prompt enactment Of the new
Selective service act, extending
the age limits to include all men
between the ages of 10 and *.
The war secretary made it
plain that he is not satisfied with
the present system under which
the registrant must claim de-
tered classification, as many
men with dependents hesitate
for patriotic reasons to make
such a claim. In this cOnnec-
ton, Mr.. Baker said he was in
clined to the opinion that the
marriage relation will in itself
constitute deferred classification.
What Mr. Baker has in mind
is to lay down a set OF question
which the regiStrant would an
SWer and then have rules WhiCi
would take care of the classified
ton. He is understood to re
gard this as the fair and equit-
able system.
The discussion on the draft ages
before the senate committee. MIR.
Baker said. followed much the lines
taken by Gen. March. chief Of
staff. and Provost Marshal Gen
Crowder The committee, ne added.
did not indicate any disposition 10
question the necessity for the
change which is urged so that the
war department can quickly secure
the men necessary 10 win the war.
Work or Fight Order
There was some discussion" Mr..
Baker said. as 10 whether il was
the intention Of the department TO
extend the work or fight order 10
include classes Of persons in vari-
Gus professional occupations I told
them there was no present change
OF the work or fight order in con-
temptation I said that when ! de
cided the baseball case I thought
perha ps other forms Of amusement
and entertainment might require
an extension OF the order 10 he on
parity with the baseball situation
but that was not in their mind
They had heard from outside
sources that the department was
considering bringing professional
classes. like lawyers newspa per
men and persons who were not &C
tually engaged in producing war
supplies under the order
The committee Mr. Baker con-
tinued was especially interested
i'm the effect Of the extension OF the
draft ag es on colleges and also in
the question as 10 whether young
men from rs up would be drawn
indiscriminately in class one or
placed in a deferred class by age
and drawn later. giving them some
added months 20 come 10 ma tur-
fly.
''T told the committee said the
war secretary, that no fixed policy
had been determined upon ov the
department but that the purpose
was 10 allow the president 20 defer
in class one the call or the young
est men 7 have always consid-
cred. as YOU perhaps remember.
that 70 was the prefera BILE mini
mum and have come 10 the Is
minimum only because II seems
necessary 70 get the men
Watches Public Pulse.
"Not that I think men of IS are
necessarily too young because ! do
not think that think that his
tory shows that boys from Is 70 10
are immensely valua BILE as valu-
able perhaps as from Ia 70 %. but
think there is sentiment in the
country which will look with very
much more anxious regar I'd on the
bovs from Is 10 10 than the boys
from 10 70 20 Eighteen years
seems 70 many people a more ten
der age than -, and II IS for that
reason that We are thinking Of max
ing this preferential deferment Of
men from Is "a 10"
Senators said that IN urging
speedy enactment OF the new man
power bill. Mr.. Baker had left 10
the judgment Of congressional lead
ers the question Of recalling the
senate In session before the expira
tion OF the recess program Aug. 2s.
because the leaders are more anil
TAR with the legislative program
than is the secretary.
NJ Baker told the committee.
senators said that me department
wanted 20 carry out the plan OF reg
istering the men Sept ? 50 that
class one could he re-supplied.
The present reservoir soon will he
exhausted and IL was said that
either the size Of the monthly calls
must he reduced or men "A ken from
the deferred elias