Evening star., 1918-08-29
WAY Y|SCLEARED
FOR PASSAGE OF
MAN-POWER BILL
Conferees Adjust Minor Diff
ferences in Pushing Action
on Measure.
CUT OUT PENR0SE PLAN
FOR EXEMPTION CLAIMS
20 Distinguishing Insignia for In
dustrially Deferred-Commis-
sions for Minors.

dustrially Deferred-Commis-
sions for Minors.
and House conferees on the man
power bill were cleared away today
and the measure, with the Senate
work or fight" amendment elimi-
mated. was prepared for final con-
gressional action.
The conferees planned Immediately
to present their report to the Senate
and House, confident of its adoption
by both branches, in an effort to rush
the measure to the White House. The
House was required to act on the re-
port before the Senate.
In disposing today of minor amend
ments pending-the principal contro-
yersy over the "work-or-hght" pro-
posal having been settled yesterday
by it's elimination from the bill-the
eonferees struck out the amendment
of Senator Penrose of Pennsylvania,
proposing that registrants should not
be required to claim exemption or
deferred classification
Gen. Crowder Opposed.
Provost Marshal General Crowder
told the committee today that that
amendment would seriously interfere
with plans for the new registration and
that the department already has plan
ned administration through the draft
boards which will largely meet OBJ
jections to requirement for exemp-
finn claims NRw ra0nlati0nS- Gen.
Crowder stated, are to be issued to
draft boards requiring them instead
of registrants to initiate exemptions.
The conferees also today struck out
Maryland. proposing badge or
other insignia for men deferred for
industrial or other service.
Commissions for Minors.
A Senate amendment adopted by
the conferees in somewhat changed
form removes the restriction against
commissioning men under twenty
one, and provides that commissions
and admission to officers training
schools shall be issued regardless Of
age of men in the Army.
The conferees also adopted an
amendment of Senator Wadsworth of
New York, extending the draft to the
Navy and Marine Corps, providing
that men shall be allotted to the lat
ter services.
Two Amendments in Dispute.
The conferees reached a complete
agreement on the bill late yesterday
with the exception of the Penrose
amendment providing that registrants
with dependents need not make claim
to exemption, and the France amend
ment. providing for, the wearing of
badges or uniforms by men exempted
for Industrial or agricultural work
Elimination of the "work-or-fght"
amendment. on which the Senate con-
virtual agreement on the measure
The ''work-or-fght" proposal was re-
gardcd as the only dispute likely to
cause delay. The Senate's managers
largely to expedite enactment.
In disposing of other differences be-
tween the Senate and House bill the
conferees adopted the House plan for
which authorizes their detail for imme-
date technical and special training
under plans already made. The Senate
and agreed to the elimination of the
Senate amendment guaranteeing free
education for soldiers and sailors after
The conferees struck from the bill
the House amendment authorizing re-
classification of deferred classes by
special examiners of the provost mar
shall general. sponsored by Represen-
tative Treadway of Massachusetts, and
also eliminated the Senate legislation,
requested by Gen. Crowder, authorizing
transfer within states of draft board
members.
No Leniency for Aliens.
Another amendment struck out was
'alien Stacker" amendment of Rep
resentative McCulloch of Ohio, which
proposed that citizens of the allies in
this country should not be exempted
or given deferred classification solely
because of their alien citizenship, un-
less so provided by treaty.
That Army officers and West Point
cadets will obtain their uniforms and
equipment at cost from the govern
ment virtually was assured by the
conferees action in adopting a SUBJ
stitute for the Senate amendment ex-
tending that privilege to officers of
the Army. Navy and Marine Corps.
The substitute provides that Army
officers and Military Academy cadets
only shall be supplied uniforms and
accouterment at cost upon applica-
tion, but subject to departmental regu-
lations which may limit their cost and
quality.
The House managers accepted the
Senate amendment providing that
wives of soldiers and sailors shall not
be disqualified for government posi-
tions because of marriage.
Disposition of the work-or-fght"
amendment, adopted Wednesday by
the Senate, 40 to %. consumed most
of yesterdays conference, the Senate
managers holding out strongly and
long for the provision, but finally
Yielding. Chairman Chamberlain ex-
plained that the Senate's representa-
lives felt that the House could not
possibly be induced to accept the
amendment and that further insist
ence only would delay the measure