The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-29
l GREATER ARMY.
NO LIMIT TO NUMBER Ar PREsI-
DENTS CALL.
Men I'm Draft Age May he Summoned
to Colors rs They Can be Equipped
and Traine,i-All I'm Deferred Clas-
sihcations Must Work or Tight.


perfecting the task OF putting the ma
tion on war basis.
Soon after Provost Marshll Genor-
al Crowder had promulgated dras
tic amendment to the selective ser
vice regulations requiring every man
OF draft axe TO work or fight, Secre-
tary 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 unani-
mously voted the authority into the
army appropriation bill.
Under existing law power is given
to draft 1000. 900 lighting men, in ad.
dition 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 pres-
dent desires the man power OF the
country will be drawn upon for what
ever force may be necessary to win
the war.
General Crowder's new regulation is
far reaching in scope and touches not
only habitual idlers. but also requires
that draft registrants now in occupa-
tions held to be mont useful seek new
jobs or take their places i'm the army
Clerks i'm stores. walters, bar tenders,
employees at places OF amusement,
passenger elevator men and other
employees around hotels clubs and
business buildings as well as gam
blers. fortune tellers and race track.
bucket shop attendants all fall among
those classed as non -usefully engaged.
Enforcement of the rule is expected
TO add some men to the army and to
do a more important service i'm inn
proving the labor situation.
The house military committees ac-
tion after hearing Secretary Baker
completed the army bill. with provis-
Ion for the pay of 5000. 900 and with
ordinance appropriations on the ba-
sis OF AN army Of 1900. 900. The meas.
ure will be laid before the house car
rying total of s9.5G9. 900 of ac-
tual appropriations and authorization
for contracts amounting TO $2,4G4,-
$4,000 more.
MIR. Baker told the committee i'm
executive session the presidents rea-
son for asking that no limit be plnc
ed upon the number of draft men 10
be called. Members said later il was
estimated that an army OF 5000. 0Oo
could be raised without changing thc
draft ages
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 rs. 1917, entitled. an
Act 10 authorize the president 10 in
crease temporarily the military estab-
lshment OF the United States" is here
by extended so as to authorize him
during each fiscal year TO raise by
draft as provided I'm said act and
acts amendatory thereof. the maxi
mum number of men which may bc
organized. equipped. trained and used
during such year for the prosecution
OF the present war until the same
shall have been brought TO a sue
cessful conclusion"
The statement OF the provost mar
shall generals office follows:
Provost Marshal General Crowdci
today announced an amendment tc
the selective service regulations
which deals with the great question
OF compelling men not engaged in 81
useful occupation Immediately to ap.
ply themselves TO some form of labor
contributing to the general good. Th,
idler. too. will find himself confronted
with the alternative Of finding suit
able employment or entering the
army.
This regulation provides that af
ter July /, any registrant who /,
found by a local board to bc n ha.
bitual idler. or not engaged In some
useful occupation. shall be summon
ed before the board. given chance
20 explain and. i'm the absence of
sfactory explanation. to bc induct
pto the military service of TN,
ocal board will ne authoriz.