The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-22

Washington, Aug. 22.-Congress
takes up consideration of the man
power bill today-probably the most
important bit of war legislation since
the first CONSUMPTION act. In the
senate, the discussion promises to
range around the work or fight
amendment, designed to head off
strikes. In the house, the battle will
range around the question of age
limits, particularly those under 20.
Both houses hope to pass the bill this
week so the registration can be held
September s.
House VIII Yield to Baker.
Altho the house committee has re-
ported the bill with amendments
which would make two special classes,
one for those Is years old, and the
other for those 19 years old, not to be
called until all other men are ex-
hausted, the house is expected to over
turn this amendment and give the
war department what it originally
asked for, The war department has
agreed to make the 1S-year-old class
a deferred one to be called last, but
to make a second class of the 19-year-
plans for raising the army in hurry
and will unquestionably be violently
opposed.
Republican Leads Fight for Bill.
Significantly, the lineup in the house
committee is practically the same as 1t
was when the first CONSUMPTION bill
was passed. Then the house commit
tee rejected conscription and declared
for the volunteer army plan, but the
house, under the leadership of Repre-
sentative Julius Kahn, Republican,
upset the committee. Kahn again
has come to the fore, and will appeal
for complete support of the war de-
partment bill in its original form as
presented by Secretary Baker. The
vote is apt to give as sharp a lineup
in the house as the original conscrip-
ton fight.
In the last few days the members
have been flooded with letters from
their districts on the manpower bill.
One Kansas member got fifteen letters
in one mail yesterday. None opposed
raising the draft age limits, but most
of them expressed objection to going
as low as Is years.
Must Go To IS.
Unquestionably, going to 10 isn't
/. popular. No one wants to take boys
that young If it can be avoided. But
the issue has been presented to con-
gress as a military necessity to get
the army quickly and of size that
can win the war. While those of Is
will be put in a special class to be
called last, the impression should not
go out that they VIII not be reached.
Quite the contrary, to get the size of
army America has embarked on to
win the war quickly. it will mean
eventually going thru the entire list.
That has been made plain. To add 19-
year-old boys to this special deferred
class simply would raise rumpus with
the whole plan that is being worked
out for quick mobilization of the army
and would not delay except for a few
months the service of young men of
that age. On this account, 1t is be-
1ieved that the house will declare
against the committee and give the
war department the bill it asked. But
it will be a fight.
No Men Over SO for Actual Fighting.
Members tonight are anxiously try
ing to gauge how the people back
home feel about it. Elections are near
at hand and they don't want to run
counter to sentiment. It is generally
believed that President Wilson will
throw his weight behind the original
war department bill. If he does, the
fight will evaporate.
Mighty few men above SO who are
taken in the draft will be put in ac-
tive combatant service. Some of them
will be shot into combatant duty I'M
questionably. but the bulk of them will
be used on desk jobs and in such lines
of work that don't require such ply
steal demands thus releasing younger
men for fighting service.