The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-15
Means Annual Increase t.
American Army of 100000.
Another Measure Provides Fur
loughs for Harvest Time.
REJECT RAISING AGE Limit
Proposed Laws Drawn Up at
Request of War Dept.
Would Make Number of Men
Basis for Draft Quota.

Washington, Jan. 15.-At the re-
quest of the war department today,
Chairman Chamberlain of the senate
military committee introduced bill
for the registration for military duty
of all men who have become 21 years
old since June 5, 1917. when the draft
| law went into effect
Another bill which Senator Cham
berlain introduced at the request of
the administration would provide for
furloughing national army men for
harvesting crops and other agricuftu-
raj duties. Another bill would put the
quota of the states on the basis of
available men in the first class instead
of on population.
In determining upon the registration
of men who have become 21 since
the draft law was enacted. the war de-
partment has rejected any plan to
raise the age limits of the draft to
take in men more than 81.
Adds 100000 Men a Year.
Registration of men who have be-
come of age since the draft law was
enacted was referred to IN the recent
report of Provost Marshal General
Crowder, one of the means by which
a supply of men for the national army
might be assured without taking those
who might have others dependent
upon them.
| 1t could be done. also, the provost
marshal general pointed out. by ex-
tending the age limits above the pres
ent line of 81.
! The war department had adopted
the first suggestion. 1t is estimated
! that it will add about 700, 900 men to
| to the draft availableS each year.
| Congressman have been advised that
further legislation would be necessary
to perfect and carry on the draft and
the passag ge of Senator Chamberlain's
/ ad 1iCff- ion
pected promptly in born houses.
Badge for Exempted.
Another bill introduced by Senator
| Chamberlain would provide a distinc-
tive badge or button for exempted
4 men.
The bill changing the basis of state
quota Is believed to provide a more
! equitable system as it will exclude en-
tirely enemy aliens from the basis.
Enemy aliens were included in the ba-
sis for the first draft and there was
much complaint Heavy enemy alien
population in some congested districts
! forced Americans to army duty re-
gardless of exemption claims to make
up district quotas.
| The bill to permit troops to go to
agricultural work merely would au-
/ thorize the secretary of war to fur
Tough men for civilian duty. 1t is
known, however, that the war depart
ment intends to use the authority
Principally to provide men for har-
vest time and other agricultural work
vital to the food supply
Insurance for Missing
To facilitate collection of private in
surance policies held by troops, an
other bill would require private in
surance companies to accept the Off
cial army record as proof of death OF
men among the army insured. 1t is
designed to meet the cases of mer
reported missing to which there is nc
actual proof of death. In case of pay
ment by insurance companies upor
policies held by men reported missing
and who later should appear, the bill
provides for REIN bursement to the in
surance companies by the govern
ment.
Exemption of the government from
payment of the new war tax on auto
mobiles is the purpose of another bill
by Senator Chamberlain to deal prin.
cipally with the large government
purchase of motor trucks.
Arrangements have been made by
the war department to fill from the
second draft some time this spring
the extensive vacancies in the coast ar
tillery caused by the organization OF
provisional regiments of mobile heavy
artillery for service in France
A limited number of men who have
particular aptitude for the spiral work
of the corps were obtained from the
first draft but there is still deficiency
of several thousand. Unless some un-
foreseen emergency develops, orgeni-
Zation of regiments for foreign service
in the corps will not be carried any
further than to complete the units
now in progress of development.