The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-05-01
SENATESPURS
new LEVIES ON
US. MAN POWER
Army of 100000 Asked in
One of Three Bills Aimed
at Swift Action.
BAKERS DELAY SCORED
Secretary's Estimates Ready,
Based on Available Ships
CrOwder Asks Changes.
BAKERS DELAY SCORED
Special Despatch TO Tbs Sun

Npet'ot DsSpHsC" ~ iue StN
WAsHINsroN. April 30-Secretary
Bakers plan for creating new and
larger armies to hurl against Germany
IL ready for presentat tion to Congress.
The new draft that is about to he made
upon American manhood has received
the approval Of the President. and much
of the time AT the Cabinet meeting 20
day was spent In going over It's details
and discussing some OF the problems in
volved In the withdrawal Of many more
men from industries
The interest with which g, ngress is
awaiting the details OF tho proposed
enlargement of the nations military
progra mme has not been exceeded since
the original plan for the present drafted
army was submitted. That the plan Of
the War Department In to be put
through much more speedily than the
original legislation there can be no
doubt. This was clearly indicated to-
day in the impat!ence manifested over
the delay which has occurred.
Secretary Baker said after the Cabi-
ret meeting that he would appear be-
fore the Congress committees carly next
week to present his plan. which has re
celved the full approval Of the Presidenet
House committee nrst-
BASED On shipping.
1t is understood that the plan gone
over to-day at the Cabinet meeting Is
based on a. most careful survey OF the
shipping situation as II is expected 10
exist next yea. Chairman Hurley has
supplied Mr.. Baker since his return
from France with estimates of the ship
y&pg which 1t Is believed will be avail
ab!e then for all purposes. Figures also
have been submitted by tho War Trade
Board and other Government agencies
having to do VITA shipping require
ments The whole idea has been to Al
the projected new arnIies 10 the supply
OF ships. and not TO enroll IN the mill
tary service for this year and next yea,
| more men than can be transported and
| maintained in France.
The estimate prepared by Mr.. Baker
which includes not only tho number o.
| men but also the appropriations wh!ct
| will be required. is being kent care
| fully guarded secret until NJ" Bake
appears before the House committee
probably next Tuesday.
Members OF Congress believe that hi
minimum 10 be asked for by NJ. Bake
Will be practically doub.s the nunbe
now IN service, which 10 about 1900. 900
| This would mean total army o
slightly over 100000 men. Mary be
lieve the number will not exceed tNi
by much. but this Is largely based oi
informa! estimates. which seem 10 shoc
that ships would be lacking TO proNid
for more men. Oh tho latest estimat
OF two and q half tors OF ship per mar
said to have been adopted by the Wa
| nSno W I'M nj hA,iavaA fO h
exceedingly low. It would require 10000
tons of ships TO transport and malntai
an army OF 100000 IN France
COnRress Impatient.
| Signs that Congress has become res.
less over the delay OF Secretary Bake
In submitting his plan for !ncreas!n
the army TO q size commensurate vii
the task that now falls 70 America, wcr
apparent to-day IN the Senate Ther
| were also Indications that the legis
lators will not Countenauce any hal!wa
mea sures in meeting the German mer
ace.
To-day three bills were introduced
as many Senators all directed TO pre-
curing vast increases IN the army. Thes
resolutions were evoked apparently b
the delay OF the War Department I
def,ne the needs OF America ard of hs
aii,es during the present and the con
! Ing year As ear.y az last Januar
urgent requests were put in by "
House committee for the informatio
which Secretary Baker is now iu
about to give TO Congress.
Senator Hoke Smith tGa) introduce
a resolution calling on the War Depar
! ment to lay before the Senate an es.
! : mate OF the needs OF the Governmel
for the increase OF the National Arm
to a point where 100000 men wou
be In service. This resolution direct'
= Continued OH Ihird PaQc.