Evening journal., 1918-08-23
CONGRESS Opens
Fight ON DRAFT
Republicans Lead in Charge
to Unhorse Mckenzie
Rider
PEACE IN 2 YEARS
PROPONENTS SAY

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23.-.The new
man-power bill, extending the draft
age limits to eighteen and forty-flve
years, was taken up simultaneously in
both the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatlves yesterday afternoon, in an
effort TO finally pass 1t by the end Of
the week.
While the debate yesterday was con-
fined to the bill as a whole. the fight
was launched in both houses over
drafting men below twenty years Of
age and over the anti-strike amend
ment designed to prevent the use Of
industrial exemption as a means OF
svsding the draft.
The draft obstructlonists In the
House, led by Representative Dent. Of
Alabama, chairman Of the House Com
mittes on Military Affairs, and Repre-
sentative Mckenzie, Of Illinois, author
% the amendment directing the Presi-
no 10 call all Of the reglstrants be-
tween twenty and forty-nve years Of
age before any men are called below
twenty years Of age, confined their
efforts to sentimental arguments
against what they termed "robblng the
cradle"
In tha Senate Senator Kirby, OF Ar
kansas, led a fight against fixing the
age limit below twenty-one years,
while Senators Reed, Wadsworth.
Chamberlain and New discussed at
length the antl-strlke amendment, the
sbolition Of all volunteering and other
phases Of the measure.
Secretary Baker, commenting on the
Mckenzie amendment said:
According to General Crowders flg-
ures, II will not be possible TO have
eighty divisions abroad by July 1 with
out using the eighteen and nineteen
year old men.
Discussion Of the amendments start
ed today. Republican leaders in the
House, who, under Representative
Julius Kahn, Of California, ranking the
minority member OF the House Mill
tary Committee, are leading the fight
,or the passage Of the bill In its Orlgi-
lal shape, were confident the McKen-
zie amendment would be defeated or
at least amended so that it would not
obstruot the military program.
An amendment to the Mckenzie rider
has been prepared that would permit
the calling Of the eighteen and nine
teen year old classes after the Glass
men bsswesn twenty and forty-hve
had been called. The Mckenzie amend
msnt in It's present shape specifies
that the eighteen and nineteen year
old classes shall not be called until all
OF the "reglstrants" between twenty
and forty-1ve have been called. thus
1xing twenty years as the minimum
age limit.
Aim Speedily 20 End War.
IN leading the fght for the eighteen
and forty-fye year limits, Representa-
t..e Kahn answered all objections made
by the obstructionists by asserting
".he program Of the United States Is
% use every man in the nation, II neces-
sary, 10 speedily win the war"
Representative Dent, who led the
light against the measure, just as he
led the opposition 10 the seleotive ser
vice act, and Representative Shallen-
berger, OF Nebraska, and Representative
Mckenzie said that England, France
and Italy have not used their eighteen
year-Old men.
England and France have not found
it necessary during the four years they
have been at war TO call their eighteen
year-old men in order TO get an army
OF 100000" said Representative Shall
lenberger.
Yes, and they have been four years
at war" replied Mr.. Kahn. This ma
ton proposes TO end the war in two
years. II II takes every man In the
country 10 do it We have not adopt
ed the Indefinite program the gentle