Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-08-09
BAR INVESTMENTS UNTIL NEW DRAFT
 LAW IS PASSED
Order Prohibits Admit tance of Civilians to
 Training Camps.

Washington, Aug. S.-Voluntary en- listment in the army and navy were completely suspended today to pre- vent disruption of industry pending disposition of the bill proposing to ex4 tend draft ages to include all men between IS and i5 years.
 Orders were issued by Secretaries Baker and Daniels directing that no voluntary enlistments be accepted aft - CT today until further orders.
 The orders also exclude civilians from appointments to Officers Train ing Camps until further notice
 The orders were issued after con- ference between Secretary Baker and Secretary Daniels and were made pub lie after President Wilson had visited the offices of both secretaries late in the cay.
 1t is not known whether his visit had to do With the enlistment situ- ation. but just before he conferred with the cabinet officers there was no indication that a step of such drastic nature was anticipated
 It was said that the view of the government was that many of the older men are indispensable in their present occupations. but the natural result of the debate on the draft age question is certain to lead to rusn to the recruiting offices.
 It is regarded as essential that men greatly needed at home should be pre- vented from rushing into the army under mistaken idea that they are certain to be drafted anyhow and pre- fc,. t<> iDt,, tl,p N1, urtl,,
 1t was quite evident that the plans for apply the new draft limitations 10 the older men include q very careful classification of each individual to determine this position at home and probably a far more liberal construc- tion of the industrial exemption rules than has heretofore teen the case
 Baker Issues Statement.
 The war departments action was announced in the following statement issued by Secretary Baker.
 "The war department today has suspended further volunteering and the receipt of candidates of officers training camps from civil life.
 This suspension will remain in force until the legislation now pending in congress with regard to draft ages is disposed of, and suitable regula- tions drawn up to cover the operation of the selective system under the new law.
 "This action is taken in order to prevent the disruption of the indus try of the country and the impairment of the efficiency of the various gov ernment agencies, which would follow the indiscriminate enlistment of men up to the age of 45.
 "It is the intention of the depart ment to present to the president for promulgation in connection the opera tion fthe selective system which will make it truly selective, and leave it to the government to determine whether men can be spared from their present occupations for military ser vice."
 Secretary Daniels in issuing an or der to the chief of navigation and the commandant of the Marine corps to refuse acceptance of enlistments made this explanation:
 "The large increase in enlistments in the navy and Marine corps has made it possible to suspend further enlistment until pending legislation affecting the draft for the army is disposed of.
 "When it is resumed it will be in full cooperation with the war depart ment under arrangements which will secure all the men needed for both services"