The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-06-26

change In the sen
ate. also appeared before the commit.
tee and stated that while he was not
insi'tent upon immediate legislation.
he thought action should be taken in
time to secure new rcpstranb under
the revised age limits early next year
New Program Soon,
In asking that the draft legislatios
60 over for the present, Secretary Bsk'
er and General March said that within
sixty or ninety days probably ubUt
the middle OF August after the pro-
posed recess OF congress, the adminis-
tration will submit new comprehen-
Siyc army program, covering not only
| the number OF men II is proposed 10
raise but also dealing with shipping
and other Sroblems
Enough for Prospective Needs.
II presented TO the committee state.
mcnts," said Mr., Baker, that for the
present there are enough men In class
one sufficient for our prospective needs
and when the enlarged program of the
United States is ready for presenta.
tion TO congress, we will at the same
time have complete data OF which 10
base any recommendation for change
in the age limits OF the draft"
After the, conference with Secretary
Baker and his aides, the military COM
mittee decided to follow their recom-
mendations and to oppose any legisla-
ton at this time changing the draft ago
| limits.
S,3oo,ooo Under Arms.
Senator Hitchcock OF Nebraska, gave
| fisures, stating that In August when
the final call on men in class one will
have exhausted that class. there would
he 100000 men In the army and that
the highest estimate OF the number Of
American troops which will be IN
France by that time Is ,4S0.000.
Johnson Plan Opposed.
Secretary Baker, General March and
General Crowder. II was stated, all op,
posed the Amendment by cenator john
son of c 'ifornia, proposing that IL
future draft calls, states which already
have furni'hed by voluntary enlist.
ments an excess over their quotas, shall
= be given credit for such excess. Scna.
$ tor Johnson was satisfied with III,
statement that the present system with
q out credits Is fairest and planned no
$ to press his amendment.
Work or Fight" Choice, Too.
o When the war departments enlarged
IS program is submitted, members of III,
committee which virtually is a unit IN
\ favor OF extending the draft age limit,
., later, also plans to prescribe by lePls-
f. lation regulations reRarding the classes
le of men who shall work or fight Such
regulations, il was said. probably would
extend the work or fight principle.
No definite figures on the enlarged
l program were presented II is impoS-
| Sible at present, the officials said, to
give any estimates
n II Is planned TO call as many men to
the colors as can be trained. equipped
and transported. however
Both the secretary and General
March are OF the opinion said Mr..
Chamberlain. that no change ought
To be made in the abe limits at this time.
They say that In order TO have proper
consideration OF what the limits should
be- complete investigation ought IN
he made OF the number OF men now subs
ect to the draft, the number OF mea
that can be transported TO France and
the shipping available They say thst
no harm can be done or delay ocea.
stoned by postponement Of ehsnging tho
ages until September and they very
much advise against a change until the
investigation can be had.
THE committee was advised theo
troops now are being sent over partly
IN French and British bottoms and thso
there may be some changes IN that 49,
rangement July l--either that the ses
rangement will continue or more Amevt<
can tonnage will be available. a