The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-08-19
AMERICA PLANS
TO BRING WAR TO
END DURING 1919
CONTINUED from page -

ever, are needed and education OF
such men must be continued to an
extent. Men injured in the war VIII
be sent to college after they recover
to some extent fill up academic IN
stitutons. Regarding present ex-
emptions of divinity students. ne
said, their draft for army chaplains
is being urged.
The departments plans. Mr.. ba-
ker said, are to call al the younger
men by the middle of0ext year, but
substantially after the school year Is
through.
General Crowder interjected that
the new program is expected to raise
100000 men by June 80. l9l9, ana ana
that it is proposed to call 2oOo,ooo
men by that time.
Volunteer Enlistments.
On the question of volunteer en-
listments some committee members
said should be discontinued for the
navy and marine corps as well as
the army if the new bill is passed.
Mr.. Baker said the navy opposes pro-
hibiting volunteer enlistments ana
he had withheld an expression OF
opinion. He pointed out, however,
that the bill would place every man
between Is and IS under control OF
the war department and that 1t
would be possible for him and Sec
retary Daniels to work out in har-
monv a program to supply men tor
the navy, for the fighting branch and
also the merchant ship service.
Representative Caldwell of New
York suggested that the army pro-
vide for enlistment of women to do
non-combatant work as is done by
the navy and Mr.. Baker said so far
the army uses for such service men
drafted and not qualified for mill
t2ry duty.
Regarding supplanting young Of
fcers in non-combatant duty by
older men, secretary Baker said all
young officers capable of military
duty are being relieved as far as
possible. lie added that youths in
colleges who are drafted if retained
there for training, will be put in uni
form.
Turning to the Thomas "wok or
fight" amendment, added to the bill
by the senate committee, the secre-
tarv said he could see no objection
to it in view of the fact that the
regulations of the president are to
be relied upon to carry it into effect.
Regarding its provisions for revok-
ing deferred classification for men
who refuse work, he added:
THAT seems to me to be entirely
proper"
In case OF a strike, he said, the
president could determine whether
suspension of work was sin good
faith" and could defer suspending
exemption of rorkmen.
On a Vital Matter.
Then YOU would be willing to use
the draft regulations in industrial
disputes" Mr.. Baker was asked.
Yes, to a limited extent" the
secretary replied.
Chairman Dent emphasized that
the Thomas amendment was not a
part of the department bill.
81 have a very strong feeling
against Stacker using exemption,
the secretary said, adding that even
though "the work or fight amend
ment was not recommended by the
department he thought it might be
well for congress to make such a
declaration to deal with industrial
slackers.
Secretary Baker and also General
Crowder pointed out that the Thom-
as amendment is not mandatory and
that discretion is left to the presi-
dent.
Pointing out the existing work or
fight" regulations involved con
scription of labor" Mr.. Baker de-
clared that with men being drawn
from farms and industry it is only
fair to require a skilled man to work
or fight.
The amendment seems to be en-
tirely consistent with the policy the
war department is enforcing and is
unobiectionable," he said.
And | am less disturbed, because
the attitude of labor as a whole i:
SO fair and wholesome, helpful and
patriotic"
Power Over Occupations.
Extension of the draft age limits
Mr.. Baker said. necessitates the bill,
provision broadening draft board''
power over occupations and EN-
ployments." as well as industry in
cluding agriculture.
When some members compliance
that too many men are being taker
off farms, the secretary said it is no
intended to draft more farmers un
der the new law. and that the pres
ent policy will continue. Genera
Crowder pointed out that loca
boards are responsible for selecting
from farms.
Secretary Morrison. of the Ameri
can Federation Of Labor. interrupt
ed to oppose the work or figh
amendment of the senate bill.
There is no question about labo