Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-08-19
SENATE TO TAKE UP NEW DRAFT
OF MAN-POWER ON AUGUST %

Continued from Page One
long as possible and would not object
to placing a provision in the bill MAX
ing a separate class of men between
eighteen and nineteen years. and for de
ferring calling them "as far as practica-
bic" until after others in Glass had
been exhausted.
As to how long before men called
under the new law will go across, Mr..
Baker said not more than six months
training would be given at home.
No BIa nket Exemption for students
In extending the draft ages, Secretary
Baker said. suspension of academic edu-
| cation Is an "unsolved problem" of the
situation, and that it would be most
unfortunate to have all collegiate edu-
| cation stopped.
| The departments plans are to call
all the younger men by the middle Of
next year. but substantially after the
school year is through.
General Crowder interjectcd that the
new program Is expected to raise 2.3OO,-
! 600 men by June so, 1919, and that 1t
! is Droposed to call 100000 men by
| that time.
! Mr., Baker pointed out that the bill
]
and forty-tive under control Of the War
| DeDartment and that It would be possi-
| BILE for him and Secretary Daniels to
! work out in harmony n program to sup
nlv men for the navy for the fighting
| branch and also the merchant ship serv-
| ice.
| Turning to the Thomas "work-or.
! fight" amendment. the Secretary said he
| could see no objection 10 1t in view oi
| the fact that regulations of the Presi
| dent are to- be relied upon to carry Il
! into effect. Regarding ITS provision:
for reyoEing deferred classification fol
men who refuse to work, he added
THAT seems to me to be entirely
proper"
In case of a strike. he said the Pres
| ident could determine whether susDen
sion of work was "in good faith" ant
could defer suspending exemption o
workmen.
would Control Industrial Disputes
Then you would be willing to us
The darft regulations in Industrial dis
putes?" Mr. Baker was asked.
Yes. to a limited extent the Secre
tary replied.
| F,xtension Of the draft age limits, Mr.
Baker said. necessitates the bilrs provi
sion broadening draft boards power
over occupations and employments" a:
well as Industry, including agricul
ture."
! Tho Secretary said it is not intended
to draft more farmers under the new
law.
! Secretary Morrison, of the America,
Federation of Labor. interrupted to op
nose the work -Or-fight amendment o
the Senate bill.
There is no question about labor GO
ing along with this Government" MI
Morrison said. Labor is doing It's leve
best, but this amendment * nothing les
than conscription Of labor
Predicts Victory in 1919
Eighty American divisions of $500
mon each. General March told the Hous
Military Committee today, should b
able TO bring the war to a successfl
conclusion in 1919" That's the numbe
the War Department plans to have
France next June 80.
General March read an official state
ment showing that on August l III
American army numbered 3.Ol2.ll2 mel
} divided as follows:
American expeditionary forces and
route overseas. l,3Ol,742.
In the United States and insular pos
sessions, 1,432,706.
Called in the August draft, 277,66i.
In addition there are about l5.OOO ma
rines serving with the eXpeditlonar
forces.
For the present, it is planned to sen
$50, 900 men monthly to France Gener'
March stated, adding:
But we hope to increase that IN II
spring"
To put eighty divisions OF American
!, E,rance before June of 1919, Gener;
March emphatically declared:
Will Need Every single Man
we will need every single man