Bisbee daily review., 1918-08-20
WEST FRONT CRUCIAL
WAR WILL BE WON OR LOST THERE; coNeREssMEN CLEAR BOARD FOR ACTION ON BILL IN IMMEDIATE FUTURE AFTER HEARING THIS TESTIMONY
Ry Review Leased wlrel


 WASHINGTON, Aug. 19.-Congress prepared today to enact quickly the new man power legislation, extending the draft age limits to IS and 45 years General March told the house mill tary committee the program should win the war in 1919.
 While the house committee began work on the bill by hearing General March. Secretary Baker and General CrOwder, the senate, set aside its sum- mer vacation and will take up the measure Thursday. It appeared prob able the bill would be debated simul- taneOusly in the senate and house the last of this week and passed quick ly. Senate prohibition advocates have agreed 10 temporarily lay aside their bill and give the man power program right O. way.
 Before the house committee, Secre- fary Baker and his aides again urged action on the bill. discussing various phases of the enlarged program which calls for an army of nearly 4000 900 Americans in France by June 30. 1918, with another million in training in this country
 Predicting thaJ the war will be
 won or lost cn the western front
 regardless cf what happens else
 where, General Marsh told the
 committee that with 50 trained
 American divisions of about 45-
 900 mon each in France under an
 American commander, victory
 ought to rest on American arms
 next year. Reiterating his belief
 that such a force could 20 through
 the German lines at will, General
 March went further and electri-
 fled the committee by declaring
 that such a force should bring
 the war to a successful conclusion
 in 1919."
 To exert this American man
 power in securing victory, Gen
 eral March said "every single
 man" between 1 and 45 years in
 class 1 would be needed by next
 spring. Shipping facilities are as-
 sured and maintenance problems
 have been considered on the pro
 gram
 Suggestions that the 5.O00,0OO army program would exhaust Americas man power were laughingly denied by Gen. eral March. but he joined Secretary Baker in explaining that it represents Americas maximum effort for the present.
 Plans for calling new registrants under the proposal explained by Sec retary Baker, provide for three class es-probably to be called in order, those between 19 and 37 years Of age, those between 37 and 45 and those be- tween IS and 19. Mir Baker did not object 10 separate classification of IS year old youths, but he and General March said all eligibles would be call ed out not later than next spring.
 The secretary told the committee that his previous statement of lhe departments intention to liberalize the draft regulations in dealing with the older men to be made subject to cali had been miscons.rued He said there was no intention to exempt married men as a class and that married men who do not support their wives or are not engaged in useful occupations will be called as they now are.
 Discussing the work or fight" amendment of Senator Thomas of Col oradO, to the senate bill, Secretary Baker said it seems entirely consist ent" with the present regulations and is unobjectionable He said it does not provide for conscription of labor, as contended by representatives of or ganiZed labor, but merely would be a declaration by congress Of the work or fight" principle already put into effect by the draft regulations.
 Secretary Morrison of the American federation of labor appeared in oppo- sition to the amendment and it was arranged to hear him and other labor representatives tomorrow Chairman Dent said tonight he hoped 10 report the measure Wednesday or Thursday, probably with amendments If senti ment in the committee for provisions specifying the order of classes to be called and specifically to defer calls for IS year old boys is reflected in
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