Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-08-13
The Justice and Necessity
Of the New Man P0O0er Bill


1t is eminently wise because, first of all, it is
eminently necessary to the winning of the war in
the shortest possible time and at the least possible
sacrifice of human lives. With present army
NUMBERING all told, about three million men, we
have almost exhausted Glass One of the registrants
between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-one
Evidently, then, if to provide the army in
creases requisite to pressing the speedy and
certain victory, we must take one of two courses:
we must either invade the deferred classes of men
already registered thereby calling out those with
dependents and gravely disturbing the supply OF
labor for essential industries, we must extend
the Selectve Service ages that physically fit men
without dependents and not engaged in essential
work may be called to the colors
The latter course is obviously the right and
pedient one. What conceivable reason could there
be for not utilizing men between thirty-One and
forty-five years of age who able-bodied, free
from family responsibilities and not engaged in
essential labor? If it is fair that men up to thirty
one shall serve land some three million of them
are already in the ranks) would it not be extreme
" unfair in times of urgent need, to exempt foot
loose and stalwart men simply because they were
past thrty-one? Would it not indeed be insulting
to the patriotism of such to propose that they
be left of Selectve Service account when their
country needed them?
furnish comparatively few soldiers. The great ma
jority of men between thirtyone and forty-hve are
heads of families and can render more valuable
service in the furrow the forge, and in shop or
office than they could the battle front; they, for
the most part, constitute the army behind the army
Provost Marshal General Crowder estimates that
of all the millions above the age of thrty-one VINO
will register, only about six hundred thousand
will be available for service with the colors. He
expects however, and reasonably so, that the up
ward extension of the draft age will prove very
helpful in actualizing the work-or-hght policy, and
thus will be more valuable to the country's
industrial than its military interests
1t is evident, however, that the upward extern
sion alone will not suffice for the necessary army
increases only downward revision will serve that
supremely important purpose. Registrars be-
tween the ages Of say eighteen and twenty-one
will produce according to conservative estimates,
between one and a half and two million eligibes
for military service. BY 'elgibles' the War De-
partment means brawny, muscular youths like those
who constitute liberal portion of our Marines
keen-edged, glorious young fighters like those'who
figured by thousands in Americas immortal record
at Chateau Thierry and the Marine. Since we en-
tered the war, some fourteen thousand youths be-
tween eighteen and twenty-one have volunteered
for the Marine Corps alone, and many thousands
of the service The New York World interestingly
recalls in this connection the opinion of the late
General NJ NJ Curtis that the age of greatest mill
tary efficiency is nineteen, and that the first Con-
federate draft act of 1862 called up men between
eighteen and thirty-fve, while the Northern armies
of the War between the States were composed
largely of boys under twenty-one. In the present
war our experience we'll as our allies has
shown what magical impetus the younger men
with their joyous animal spirits and adaptabilty
have given TO the army's fighting edge and morale.
Thus the proposed downward extension of the
SeIectve Service age is in thorough accord with the
policy have long pursued in regard to volun-
teers and in thorough accord with the military
judgment and experience of all countries and all
times.
The Government, of course, has no intention of
thrusting youths into the battle
line unless the need of doing so becomes impera-
tive. The younger registrants will be placed in de-
ferred classes for training, and will be called into
actual service they approach their majority The
boys will be taught along with their military drill
and physical culture, such subjects American
history, civics, and the fundamentals of such Voca
tions as best suit their individual aptitudes. Thus
for the younger registrans, the call to the colors
will amount to entering great national school
where they will receive training that will be in
into the service the front or, the ending be-
fore there is need for them, they return to civil
life.
The War Department rightly insists, however,
upon the Importance of making available, both for
industry and service, the nations entire man
power, so that Germany may know that we are in
this fight to the limit of resources, economic
and human alike, and that we are determined to
stay in until Prussianism Internationally surren-
ders Imagine the effect German morale if the
news goes forth next autumn that every American
male between the ages of eighteen and forty-fve
years-a total of some thirteen millions-has been
registered for service That act of pre-
paredness would be worth in itself an army corps,
and would amount to a signal victory in the enguE
ing shadow it would cast the spirit of the
Huns. If then, we would foreshorten the
as far as possible and make sure of winning the
adhesive victory which just and durable
peace depends, let muster into readiness for the
final test Americas total fighting strength. and