The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1918-05-02
MEN TO Be SENT
ABROAD AS FAST
AS SHIPS CAN co
Baker Asks Congress for Nee
eSSary Power to Get Forces,
NO NUMBER IS MENTIONED
Amendment to Draft Law to
Grant Authority Soon,

WASHINGTON, MAY Secretary
Baker at hearing today before the
house military affairs committee, IN
confidential session. asked that congress
grant unlimited power for the creation
Of an army OF whatever size necessary
tor the prosecution Of the war He
told the committee that II would be ILL
advised 10 restrict the number OF men
to be utilized and that the size Of tho
army should be increased in the discre-
ton OF the government. as transporta-
ton and equipment facilities warrant
Asks Unlimited Authority.
Secretary Baker indicated he would
submit proposed measure. probably
as an amendment TO the draft law. 10
grant the unlimited authority asked
Under the existing draft law, as con-
strued by Chairman Dent OF the military
committee and others, there is authority
for use OF only 100000 men under the
draft. Mr.. Dent yesterday introduced
a bill TO authorize a draft total OF
100000 men, which with volunteers
already in the service, would make an
ultimate possible maximum strength OF
100000 men.
Secretary Baker was questioned by
the committee regarding hi. views 10
increasing the draft age He said he
was studying the subject and had made
no decision.
100000 Believed Probable.
The house military committee viii,
inpediateiy resume consider alton Of the
annuai army appropriation bill and
Secretary Bakers idea Is that II shalt
provide only for the number immes
distely foreseen.
Indications are that il will carry pro-
vision for equipment, Transportation.
pay and other expenses Of approximately
3VO,OO men as part not OF specific
program, but as furtherance OF
blanket authority plan involving use OF
all or part of the funds appropriated
and supplemental appropriations later
on as the need may become apparent.
Secretary Baker at the conclusion OF
the hearing dictated this statement:
Baker Makes Statement.
The war department program
was presented TO the house military
committee this morning II involved
the expediting OF the training OF
the men and the increasing of the
army as rapidly as ability to equip
and transport them can be fore
seen. The secretary OF war declined
to discuss the numbers of the pro-
posed army for the double reason
that any specific number implies a
limit, and the only point of limit is
the ability to equip and transport
men, which is constantly on the in
crease
T. Meet Again Tomorrow.
/ The details OF the estimates
proposed for the regular sppropria-
tion OF l9l8-lo will be gone into
with the committee beginning at 10
O'Clock tomorrow morning, These
estimates, when approved BY the
committee and acted upon BY con-
gress, will be supplemented BY sub
sequent appropriations as TO facii-
ties tor transportation and the addi-
tional equipment increase
Regarding the draft quota mat
ter, there was a discussion. Sec
retary Baker took the position that
he desired TO have sufficient quotas
based on the number of men in
Class without the credits There
was no change suggested as TO the
draft age limits"