New-York tribune., 1918-05-24
Clerks, Walters and
Idlers Must Find New
Employment or
Enter Army
Will Summon All
Needed for Victory
Bill Authorizes Pres
dent to Call to Colors
ALI Who Can Be
Equipped

WASHINGTON, May 23.---Two
important steps were taken to-day
toward perfecting the task of put
ting the nation on war basis.
Soon after Provost Marshal Cen
eral Crowder had promulgated a
drastic amendment to the selective
service regulations requiring every
man of draft age to work or fight.
Secretary Baker appeared before the
House Military Committee and asked
That President Wilson be authorized
to call to the colors all men of draft
age who can be equipped and trained.
The committee promptly and unan-
imously voted the authority into the
army appropriation bill about to be
reported to the House.
Under existing law power is given
to draft one million fighting men, in
addition to special units. This limit
soon will be reached with men con-
stantly going into camp to replace
those sailing for France as fast as
ships can be provided to take them.
With the law changed as the Presi-
dent desires, the man power Of the
country will be drawn upon for
whatever force may be necessary to
win the war.
New Regulation Farreachins
General Crowder's new regulation
is farreaching in scope. It touches
not only habitual idlers, but also re-
quires that draft registrants~now in
occupations held to be non-usefui
seek new jobs or take their places in
the army. Clerks in stores, walters,
bartenders, employees at places Of
amusement, passenger elevator men
and other employees around hotels.
clubs and business buildings, as we'll
as gamblers, fortune tellers and
racetrack and bucket shop attend
ants, all fall among those classed as
non-usefully engaged.
Enforcement of the rule is cx.
pected to add some men to the army
and to do more important service
in improving the labor situation in
essential industries.
The House Military COMMITTEES. after
hearing Secretary Baker. completed the
army bill, with provision for the pay
of 100000 men and with ordinances an
preparations on the basis Of an army
of 100000 men. The measure will be
laid before the House carrying a total
of $9,569 ,12o,000 of actual appropria-
tions and authorization for contract.
amounting to s2,464, ,41e. 900 more.
Amendment to Existing Law
This amendment to the existing law
was adopted by the committee:
provided, That the authority con-
ferred upon the President by the act
approved May 1s, 1897, entitled An
act to authorize the President to in
crease temporarily the military es-
tablishment of the United States, is
hereby extended so IS to authorize
him during each fiscal year to raise
by draft as provided in said set and
acts amendatory thereof the maxi.
mum number of mer wnicn may be
organized, equipped. trained and used
during such year for the prosecution
of the present war until the same
shall have been brought to q success
full conclusion"
Mr.. Baker told the committee in cx-
ecutivee session the Presidents reason.
for asking that no limit be placed upon
the number of draft men to be called
Members said later It was 1stimassd
that an army of 100000 could be
raised without changing the draft ages
The statement Of the provost mar
shall general follows:
Provost Marshal General Crowde.
to-day announced an amendment tc
the selective service regulations
which deals with the great question
OF requiring men not engaged in
useful occupation TO immediately
Apply themselves to some form Of
labor contributing TO the general
| good. The idlcr, too, will find him.
FRA 81 ..aA