The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-03-13
CROWDER URGES
CONGRESS TO 0. K.
DRAFT CHANGES
Provost Marshal Would Speed
Work on Second Call,
HOUSE PLANS TO FIGHT
Vigorous Opposition to ReyiS-
iOg Quotas Is Seen,

WASHINGTON. March ll-n ap
pearlng before the senate military com
mlttce today to explain proposed
amendments 10 the national defense act
mostly technical matters " army or
ganilation Provost Marshal Genera
Crowder, as the legislative representa-
tive OF Secretary Baker. urged con
grcsS to hasten action ON scores Of arm,
bills pending, especially that amending
the sclecllvc draft law.
Bill to Pass This Week.
Passage by the senate this week oI
the draft bill, changing the basis OF
selection from state populations 10 the
number Of men IN Class and re-.
qulring registration OF men attaining
twenty ono years Of age since June s
last IS expected. Senator Hitchcock
acting committee chairman, told Gen.
cril Crowdcr Other arme@hlllS, he
said. arc scheduled 10 follow 1t IN the
senate
No Bonus for Aviators
Legislation 10 abolish the extra al
lowancc OF 50 percent in pay to men in
the aviation service was approved by
General trowdcr, who detailed the rea
sons given by General Pcrshlng, Sec
rctary Baker and the general staff
that aviation is not more hazardous
than other branches Of service, accord
ing to the percentage Of fatalities and
that there now is difficulty in securing
men for aviation work without attrac-
tion OF extra pay
House Fights Plan.
Vigorous opposition to Crowder's
plan TO change the basis OF apportion-
ment OF men for the national army to
the number registered in Class /, in
stead OF population Of states, was
launched in the house today with the
filing Of a minority report from the
committee on the pending reSo-
luton for that purpose This will not
be brought up IN the house until Sec
rctary Baker returns from Europe.
Representatives Gordon, Shallcn-
burger, Wisconsin; Nichols Harrison
and Hull joined in the dissenting report
which declared that the proposal would
subject TO the arbitrary will and au-
thorlty OF those in control of the ma
lions military power the 100000 men
registered, except only those uncond-
.lonally exempt from the draft as fully
and completely for all practical pur
poses as those already inducted into
the military service"
Should Be Defeated.
IF congress" the dissenters added,
is prepared to deliver the bodies of
these 100000 men into the hands of
The military authorities, without con
1ition or limitation, then it should pass
this JOINT resolution; If not, it should
be defeated"
Five democrats and one republican
the minority which spared
no words denouncing the resolution as
a reputation Of the principle Of uni
NeTSdl liability 10 service.
"Only vags Wanted"
at is sought" the minority report
contends, TO defend the grant of these
lnhcard Of powers by asserting that
hc military authorities desire to take
.or military service only those who
rave not become 'articulated' with the
social or industrial life OF the com
in which they are registered
his rule, if strictly applied, excludes
rom the military service everyone but
'agrants, vagabonds and tramps'
Crowder Is Perturbed.
Provost Marshal General Crowdcr.
yho was before the senate military
committee when the house report was
PRESENTED, appeared much concerned
over Chairman Dents plans TO delay
Ictlon on the legislation until Secretary
Baker returns. Earlier action. he be
ieycS, is necessary because of the ap-
,v,,yt,,,,, .,a..- .t.-I