The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-28
1S TO 40 DRAFT BILL
PASSED BY SENATE


the War Department to have these
young men over there by June 30. 1919.
-Now. 1t is immaterial to me how the
Senators vote. shall vote because ]
believe the necessities Of this war re-
qulre these young men there. That is
the first thing that induces me to do II
now and the second because l believe the
young men make the best soldiers, after
all.
II do not propose to sit here and have
the impression go abroad that this bill
which affects the whole life Of the re-
public and every home in it--that the
country shall be deceived as to what the
purpose Of this bill is.
"If It passes, every man between these
draft ages, between IS and 45. may be
called by the 3Oth Of June next and
only the President has the power to
detain them here for short while II
he wants to-"
A colloquy over the intentions OF the
War Department with regard to the call
ing of the youngest class of conscripted
men to the colors followed. 1t was
begun by Senator Overman IN. c. and
ended by Senator Chamberlain In q
ringing denunciation OF the deception OF
the American public. whether purposed
or accidental.
Senator Overman had declared that
| he was opposed to compelling boys OF
IS years to be taken to France to fight
unless 1t was absolutely necessary.
II believe from the figures reported
by the War Department we will be
able to get 100000 men without call
ing these boys" said Senator Overman.
Senator Overman said he had pre-
pared an amendment to place men of
Is years in deferred classification.
which he intended to offer. Before he
finished his speech. however, he changed
his mind and withheld the amendment
II went to the Secretary of War to
discuss with him my amendment" said
Senator Overman. "He assured me
that he did not intend to call the boys
of IS years Of age until an emergency
should arise. I asked him II could
make that statement on the floor OF
the Senate. He said yes
Therefore. relying upon his state
| men. I am going to vote for this bill.
Senator Hitchcock asserted his con
viction that the time had arrived wher
the whole vast man power of the nat,or
must be called TO arms. Stating thai
sixteen months ago 1t had beep his owl
amendment. which had changed th'
lower draft limit age from 10 to q
he reviewed the changes In the worlt
war situation. which. in his judgment
nov made the broadcast CONSUMPTION o.
the fighting strength Of the nation man
| datory.
There was a bitter struggle over tn
antt-strike provision, which resulted
finally in the adoption of the Reed
Thomas amendment. which forbids me
engaged in essential industry to qui
under penalty of being indicted imme
d!ately into the military service. tn
test was made when Senator Mckella
(Tenn,) moved TO strike the amendment
from the bill. The Senate voted for II
retention. 40 to 90.
The first part of the amendment re
fers to those to be placed in deferre
classiflcations. This will be the mai
controversial point between the Hous
and the Senate. now that the bill ha
gone to conference. 1t Is predicted tina
the House will not yield an iota fror
its convincing stand taken against tn
work or fight" proviso.
The Senate bill contains another poin
upon which the House will be asked I
act, the amendment of Senator Smit
(Ga.) providing that officers of the arm
may purchase their uniforms throug
the Quartermaster Department at cos
The Senate already has acted upon tn
proviso before in military bills only {
have the House ignore 1t.
Senator Jones (Wash.) announced
Just before the bill was sent to confer
ence. that he thought the House at leas
should be required to vote on the Smit
proviso. and that the Senate should re
Ject any conference report pending
definition Of the Houses attitude.
The Senate conferees appointed 10
night who will handle the negotiation
l.zsx.
Chamberlain (Ore). Hitchcock (Neb
and Warren (wyo).