The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-05-01
ANOTHER DRAFT
CALL ISSUED BY
CROWDER TODAY
$3.50 Men To Be Modified for
Special Service.
Most of Them Will Go to
Camps May 16.
MAY CALL MILLION THIS YEAR
Secretary Baker Said To Have
Big Plans Ready.
CantOnments To Be Enlarged
Ships Are Coming.
Most of Them Will Go to
Camps May Is.
MAY CALL MILLION THIS YEAR
Baker Said To Have
Big Plans Ready.

Washington. May IA call for
1885 additional draft men was issued
today by the provost marshal general
They are to be sent to twenty-five
institutions scattered thruout the coun-
try for a two months course of train
ing in various mechanical studies.
The men will be modified May 16
with the exception of those from Vfr-
ginia, who will be called May 23
They will receive training as auto
mechanics and chauffeurs, machin-
lists, blacksmiths, sheet metal workers,
general mechanics. carpenters. cleo
tricians, radio operators, concrete
workers and telegraphers. They will
be unassigned until after the COM
pletion of their course.
Secretary Baker will appear before
the house military committee tomor-
tratiOn program for increasing the ar
my to meet the German drive. The
exact form of his recommendation is
not known but there are indications
that he will not confine himself to
specific figures, asking for blanket
authority to raise all the troops il: is
found possible to clothe. equip and
ship to France.
Can Handle 5000, 900.
The whole question of equipment
and transportation was gone over
again at the war department today by
the war council. Chairman Baruch.
of the war industries board. Chairman
Hurley of the shipping board and
Chairman P. A. S. Franklin of the COM
troll board. were present, besides As
sistant Secretary Stettinus and Major
General Goetha1s, directly charged
with the supplying and transportation
of the army.
1t is known that war department Of
ficials thru the survey of shipping and
supplies recently completed have been
tconvinced that 1t will be possible to
handles at least 100000 men this
year. and that that number could be
considerably increased by straining re-
sources. 1t is, therefore believed that
Mr.. Baker will indicate to the house
committee to borrow that an additicn-
authority is granted.
VIII Be Fighting Units
The bulk of the additional forces
would be organized as fighting units.
it is assumed. as the forces already
assembled have provided the major
part of the noncombatant troops nee
essary for largely increased army.
There is nothing to indicate that
the war department sees at this time
any necessity for extending the draft
ages. There is every reason to be-
lieve that there are enough men in
material. to fill any demand that pos
sibly can be made upon the selective
service for a year or more. In addi-
ton, extension of the draft to men
who have reached the minimum age
of 21 since the act was passed will add
another three-quarters of a million to
the list of availables.
To Enlarge Cantonments
None of the officials present at to-
days meetings would say what figures
had been discussed. 1t liz known
however. that Chairman Hurley was
asked for estimates for the maximum
shipping that could be obtained from
all sources to accelerate troop move
ment. In connection with the in
crease of the army, the war depart
ment is inclined to expand existing
cantonments and the pick of the ma
tional guard camps to mmodatc
additional troops, rather than to the
construction of new cantonments. For
the present Camp Gordon, Ga is
used as an infantry replacemep. di-
, vision. Later on, Camp Lee. Va will
be devoted to this purpose and Shere
will be several replacement divisions
eventually. Camp Jackson. =. G. is
now rated as field artillery replace
ment post and men selected for SER
vice with the guns go there for train
ling. Camp Hancock. Ga, is the ma
chine gun replacement post and Camp
Humphreys. Va, the engineer replace
ment center. Camp Meade. Md.
eventually will be used for signal corps
rr.Ia