South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-05-24
WILSON
SALUTES ITALY
On ANNIVERSARY
Two important Steps Taken
Thursday in PerfeCtingTa
of Placing America on
Firm War Basis.

WASHINGTON. May 24.-Two
Important steps were taken Thurs
DAY toward perfecting the task Of
putting the nation on a war basis.
Soon after Provost Marshal Gen.
Crowder had promulgated drastic
amendment u tire selective service
regulations requiring every man OF
draft age 20 work or fight. Sec'y
Baker appeared before the house
military committee and asked that
Prest Wilson be authorized TO call
10 the cOlOrs all men Of draft age
who can be equipped and trained.
The committee promptly unani-
mously voted the authority into the
army appropriation bill about 70 be
reported 10 the house
Under existing law power is given
To draft 100000 fighting men in
addition to special units. This limit
soon viii 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 presi-
dent desires the man power OF the
country will be drawn upon for
whatever may be necessary TO win
the war.
Gen. Crowder's new regulation is
far reaching in scope and touches
not only habituaI idlers. but also
requires that draft registrants now
in occupations held TO be non-useful.
seek new jobs or take their places
in the army. Clerks in stores. wait
ers. bartenders. employees at places
Of amusement. passenger elevator
men and other employees around
hotels, clubs, and business buildings
as we'll as gamblers, fortune tellers
and race track ane bucket shop at
tendants all fall among those class
ed as -usefully ngaged. En-
forcement OF the rule is expected
10 add some men to the army and
to do a more important service in
improving the labor situation in es-
sential industries.
Completes Arpll Bill
The house military committees
action after hearing Sec'y Baker
completed the army bill with pro-
vision for pay OF 100000 men and
with ordnance appropriations on the
basis of an army of 100000. The
measure will be laid before the
house carrying total of $9,569.129.-
Oo0 OF actual appropriations and
authorization for contracts amount
ing TO S2.464.416,OOO more.
Mr. Baker told the committee in
executive session the presidents
reasons for asking that no limit be
placed upon the number Of draft
men to be called. Members said
later IL was estimated that an army
of 100000 could be raised with
out changing the draft ages.
Congress was asked by Sec'y
Baker Thursday for unlimited au-
thority in raising an army to the
extent that men within the draft age
can be organized and equipped.
on leaving the conference Sec'y
Baker said:
Scc'y Bakers Statement.
II recommended 10 the committee
an increase of the presidents power
so that he may call out such num-
her Of men As he finds himself able
10 train, equip and use TO bring
about a successful termination of
the war. That Is what is before the
committee now"
The house military committee
adopted Sec'y Bakers recommends
tions unanimously and they will be
Incorporated into the army bill
No recommendation was made by
the secretary as 10 change in the
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 Is. 1917. entitled an