The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-06-26
Enough in Glass 1 To Make an
Army of 100000.
Government Does Not Favor
Credit for Volunteers.
FEDERAL WORK OR FIGHT LAW
Senate Committee Plans To
Introduce One.
Would Prescribe Glasses of Men
Under That Rule.

Washington, June 26.--After Secre-
tary Baker and General March, chief
of staff had opposed revision of draft
age limits and announced that within
sixty or ninety days the war depart
ment would submit to congress a new
and enlarged army program, the sem
ate military committee today decided
to oppose any legislation to change
the draft ages.
Glass 1 Will Furnish 100000.
senator Hitcheocs of Nebraska gave
figures stating that in August, when
the final call on men in class Will
have exhausted that class. there will
be 100000 men in the army and that
the highest estimate of the number OF
American troops which will be in
France by that time is 1.450,0O0.
Oppose Credit for Volunteers.
Secretary Baker, General March
and General Crowder, it was stated,
are all opposed to the amendment by
Senator johnson of California propos-
ing that in future draft calls, states
which already have furnished by vol
urtary enlistments an excess over
their quotas shall be given credit for
such excess. Senator johnson was sat
isfied with the statement that the
present system without credits is fair
est and planned not to press his
amendment.
Chamberlain Will Make Statement.
Chairman Chamberlain prepared to
make a statement to the senate in con-
nection with the amendments to the
pending army appropriation bill of
Senators Fall of New Mexico and
Hitchcock of Nebraska, which, re-
spectively proposed making the age
limits 20 to 40 years instead of 21
TO 81.
A ''Work or Fight" Law.
When the war departments en-
larsed program is submitted, members
said the committee which virtually is
unit in favor later of extending the
draft age limits. also plans to pre-
scribe by legislation regulations re-
garding the classes of men who shall
work or fight" Such regulations, it
was said, probably would extend the
work or fight principle.
No Figures Yet.
No definite figures on the enlarged
program were presented. 1t is i'm
possible at present, the officials said,
to give any accurate estimates, but
the government proposes to exert it's
maximum power in the war. Studies
are being made of the problems of
training, clothing, transporting and
feeding men, all of which are to be
covered in detail in the new program
under Nne authority which would be
given the president in the army bill
TO call as ..iany men to the colors as
can be trained. equipped and trans
ported. When the senate reconvened
and resumed consideration of the
army bill, Senator Chamberlain for
mally outlined the statements given
by secretary Baker, General March
and Major General Crowder.
Postponement Can Do No Harm.
Both the secretary and General
March are of the opinion said Mr.
Chamberlain, that no change ought
to be made in the age limits at this
time. They say that in order to have
proper consideration of what the
limits should be, complete investiga-
ton ought to be made of the number
of men now subject to the draft, the
number of men that can be trans
ported to France and the shipping
availa bic. They say that no harm can
be done or delay occasioned by post
ponement of changing the ages until
September and they very much ad-
wise against a change until this in
vestigation can be had.
The committee was advised that
troops now are being sent over partly
in French and British bottoms, and
that there may be some changes in
that arrangement July /, either that
the arrangement will continue or more
American tonnage will be available.
Should Be Full Investigation.
They feel that before any change
should be made there should be a full
investigation before disturbing the
social and industrial conditions of the
country"
The committee concluded by a ma
1ority vote it would not be best to
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