The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1918-08-22
BOYS OF IS At
BOTTOM OF LIST
VIII Not Be Called Until those
OF naturer Years Are
Drafted
PLAN MIGHTY ARMY IN 1919
narriao, Not 10 Exempt Rec strants
and Labor (. Have Consider
ation-May Sc Law
Next Week.

pared 10 enact quickly the new man
power legislation, extending the draft
age limits 10 Is and IS years for the
American military program which
&C. March, chief-of STAFF, told the
House military committee should win
the war in 1919.
While the House conn tee began
working on the bill by hearing Gen.
March, Secretary Baker and Provost
Marshal General Crowder, the Senate
set aside its summer vacation agree
ment In order 10 take up the meas
ure II appeared probable that the
bill would be debated simultaneously
IN the Senate and House the last
OF this week and passed soon there
after Senate prohibition advocates
agreed temporarily TO lay aside the
national prohibition bill and give the
man power program the right Of way.
Before the House committee, Sec
rotary Baker and aides again urged
action on the bill, discussing various
phases of the enlarged program,
which calls for an army OF nearly
100000 Americans in France by
June 30, 1919, with another million in
training in this country
Predicting that the war will be won
or lost on the western front. regard
less of what happens elsewhere, Gen.
March told the committee that with
80 trained American divisions OF
about $4,000 men each, in France
under an American commander, VIC
tory ought to rest on American arms
next year.
Reiterating his belief that such a
force could go through the German
lines at will, Gen. March went further
and electrified the committeeman by
declaring such a force should bring
the war to successful conclusion in
1919"
To exert this American man power
In securing victory Gen. March said
"every single man" between Is and
As wears In Class ] would be needed
by next spring. Shipping facilities
are assured, he added, and mainte-
nance problems have been consid-
cred in the program
Suggestions that the 5000, 900 army
program would exhaust Americas
man power were laughingly denied
by Gen. March, but he Joined Secre-
tary Baker In explaining that 1t rep
resents Americas maximum EFFORT FOR
the present.
Plans for calling new registrants
under the proposal explained by Sec
rotary Baker provide for three clas'
SEES, probably to be called In order
those between 10 and 81 years OF age
those between 81 and 45 and those
between Is and 10. Mr. Baker did not
object to separate classification Of ~
wear-old youths. but he and Gen
March said all eligibles probably
would be called out not later thar
next spring.
The secretary told the committed
that his previous statement OF the de-
rartments intention to liberalize th'
draft regulations in dealing with thu
older men be made subject to cal
had been misconstrued He said there
was no intention to exempt married
men as a class, and that married mel
who do not support their wives OF
are not engaged in useful occupations
will be called az they now are.
Discussing the work or Tight
amendment OF Senator Thomas o
Colorado to the Senate bill, secretar!
Baker said 1T seems entirely con
sistent" with the present regulation
and is unobjectionable. He said !
does not provide for conscription 0
labor, as contended by representa-
tives OF organized labor. but merel.
would be a declaration by Congress
OF the work or fight" principle al
ready put into effect by the draf
regulations.
Gen. Crowder told the COMMITTEE
that men now in Class would be ex
hsusted after the September call an
urged speedy action on the bill :
provide sufficient men for futur
calls, although Gen. March said b
thought there will be enough men I
last until November without new leg
islation. BY Jan. l. Gen. Crowds
said, he hoped to complete classify
ing the nation
Gen. Crowder said that by Sep
1 there would be $4,000 men left !
Class /, while the September ca
planned was for more than that mum
. Der. Weekly registrants OF men be
coming 81, he said. would furnish so
! 600 more men For October calls b
Z said. therefore, there would be Dc
: 6ctency unless the bill provided
. new supply.
After the bill was enacted. Gel
: crowder said, he would ask TO hay
: the President order the new registrs
, ton in 10 days 10 provide for draw
: ing OF numbers az coon thereafter a
. possible.
; within 30 days after question
, naires are distributed" be said,
probably would have enough me