The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-18
FEW FAVOR DENTS
DRAFTQELAY MOVE
Chairman's Own Committee Is
Expected to Report Man
Power Bill as Drawn.
sUGGEsTs AMENDMENTS
Would Instruct President to
Call Glasses Above 30 Be-
fore Ages Under 81.

WASHINGTON. Aug. r. Chairman
Dent Of the House Military Committee,
still unconvinced as to the Righteousness
Of the Administrations military pro-
gramme, will seek to have definition
Of the forthcoming man power bill Of
the system under which the various
classes of draftets viii be called to the
colors.
Mr.. Dent. despite the contrary assur-
ances Of Gen March. chief OF Stan. and
of Provost Marshal Gen. Crowder that
the younger recruits the better soldiers
they make, is determined to have written
into the man power bill specific direc-
tons to the President as to how the
men are to be called.
Mr.. Dent said to-day that he would
have q number Of amendments to pro-
pose TO the man power bill. These
amendments will be framed to insure the
drafting of the men beyond the age OF
80 and UP through the ages toward the
maximum II not to the absolute max
impm OF As years before the men under
81 years Of age, in the Is. 10 and 20
year Glasses are called.
support for Dent Doubtful.
1t is a question of grave doubt whether
Mr.. Dent will be able to obtain the sup
port of a majority even Of his own COM
mittee for any OF these suggested
changes Representative Kahn Cali
formal. senior Republican member OF
the committee, Is convinced that a COM
bination Of Democrats operating with
the, Republican minority in the commit
tee. can. force a majority vote to support
the war plans Of the military experts.
Mr.. Dent has yielded part way on his
plan for public hearings. Although he
has not withdrawn his suggestion OF
throwing open the doors Of the commit
tee when Secretary Of War Baker. Gen.
March and Major-Gen. Crowder are be-
forc-the committee next Monday. he in
sisted to-day that he would seek to have
these hearings public, but was willing
to leave tho question entirely in the
hands of Secretary Baker.
Naturally 1t Is hardly to be expected
that Mr.. Baker will approve Of public
hearings. In the hearings before the
Senate Military Committee this week
which were held in secret. Gen. March
made careful and concise explanation
Of the reasons for immediate action look
ing to the mobilization Of the whole man
power of the republic between the agel
Of IS and As.
The sist OF Cen. March's statement
was given 20 the public in a report or
the man power bill submitted by Senator
Chamberlain tOregon). chairman Of the
Senate Milita"y Committee, wherr the
bill was introduced in the Senate Thurs.
day. The reasons appealed to the Sena.
tors as coeent and convincing and their
action based UPON the explanation OF
the Chief OF Stan, was unanimous.
IL is this state of affairs which makes
the present attitude OF Chairman Dent q
source of distress to his colleagues ir
the House Military Committee. Repre-.
sentative Kahn and the other RepubIi.
cans cooperating with Representative
Lunn New York; and Olney mass.
and certain other Democrats. expect tc
force speedy consideration OF the mar
power bill In their committee and q
favorable report upon It practically as
introduced in the Senate not later thar
Tuesday.