Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-05-01
BAKER LIKELY TO ASK
FOR 100000 MEN
Congress Ready to Heed Call
if War Department Can
Equip Army
STUDY PLAN CAREFULLY
Secretary Will Present Them to
Senate Committe in
Few Days
STUDY PLAN CAREFULLY


it is asserted by leading men in that
body, evidence must be submitted to
show the War Departments ability to
officer, clothe, equip and arm the new
levies with no delay.
Members are determined. they say to-
day, that there must be no more fail
ures to provide adequate equipment on
time.
But once satisfied as to this members
OF both houses will vote for any num-
Der of men the War Department wants.
THE submission of new army esti-
mates provides a capital opportunity to
see whether War Department reorgau-
izations have been for the good of the
service said member of ShC Senate
Military Affairs Committee today.
Secretary Baker will appear before
the House committee "in few days
with his estimates and plans for the
increased army. No hint has been given,
however, concerning the number of men
he will ask authority to add to the
forces.
May Cali $4,000 to 3.OOO.OO Men
Taking the position that it would be
'discourteOus" to Congress to let the ma
ton know what he proposes before he
tells the military committee, Baker in
sisted today his figures will be made
known only when he goes there.
That he and the War Department are
planning for an army of 100000 or
more is a certainty. however The de-
partment is studying carefully the
problem OF increasing cantonement space
and particularly what 1t shall do with
the National Guard camps. Lord Read
ing, British ambassador, has guided
Baker considerably in framing his plans
inasmuch as these plans depend to a
considerable extent on British shipping
facilities. The quartermaster corps Is
making its preparations with the sky as
the limit" though no figures have been
presented to it yet,
The general thought here is that prob
ably 100000 men will be in the field OF
in camp by the end of the year and that
any extensions Baker asks beyond that
will come largely after the close of the
year.
Virtually all Baker needs TO do is TO
tell Congress he wants "A certain sum OF
money and he will get H. The draft ma.
chine can turn out all the men he may
seek. The things necessary will be tC
equip, maintain and transport them.
Army Increase Plans started
II Is known that a careful survey OF
the equipment and transportation situa'
tons was completed by the War De-
partment recently as basis for formu
lating army increase plans. The proNo9'
marshal generals office has taken steps
10 ascertain in definite figures the exact
number of fighting men still available
in Glass 1 of the selective service forces
and recommendations for authority tC
organize additional divisions and esti
mates for appropriations have been helC
up pending the completion of these stu
dies.
Previous plans contemplated the mo
bliZation of an additional 100000 mel
during the present year. This projec
represented the filling up to full strength
of all existing divisions and the erection
iP France before the end of the year o
= full field army under general Per
shng. with an ample reserve to keel
the fighting ranks full at all times.
Want to Send Men Speedily
Plans for equipment of troops wer
based on this project, it is understood
and In considering proposals to enlarg
the program extensively the project o
shortage of uniforms and other equip
ment as well as of transportation mus
be considered There is little disposition
TO call men to the colors and furthe
derange industrial life i'm the countr
unless there is good prospect that the
can be sent abroad within a reasonabl
time.
The accelerated movement of troop
TO Europe is proceeding smoothly an
officials are much encouraged by tn
showing of the transportation service
Three bills to increase Americas ma
power in the war were introduced yes
terday in the Senate. Senator PoindeN
ter, of Washington, offered one Author2
ing President to call Immediately 800
900 men under selective draft law; Sen
ator Reed of Missouri offered one I
add 3,O0O,O0O men to the army an
Senator Smith, of Georgia, introduce
a resolution proposing to raise the arm
to 100000 men.
Immediate action to increase Ill
army, Senator PoindeXter said, is neces
sary.
Senator Reed announced that he woul
address the Senate Friday in behalf {
this bill.
CrOwder Wants New Men on Ton
Provost Marshal General Crowder ha
requested Congress to eliminate frol
the bill extending the draft TO you'll
now twenty-one years of age the amend
ment putting at the bottom of the elig
bile list those who would register undt
the measure, and asked that the bi
basng draft quota on the number
men in Glass ! be amended to MAX
It's operation retroactive.
of the proposal to put the new regi
trants at the bottom of the list of el
gibles. General Crowder said:
"The plan proposed by this Off
would result in these registrants beir
given order numbers scattered throuS
out the entire list Of order number
This seems to be fairer than the pls
proposed by the amendment The resu
OF the House amendment in many juri
dlctions will be to delay the calling
these young men for a Considerah
time. In the meantime their statl
win have changed, they will have ma
ried or become integrated with the i
dustries of the country.
Moreover, 1t establishes a precedei
which may be appealed to. provid
aliens are registered under the pr
visions of the new legislation bas
upon treaties to be negotiated"
Asks Laws he Made Retroactive
The plan TO make the quota law retr
: active would apply il to men Of the ne
draft called while the legislation is pen
ing. Delay in enactment of the legisl
ton, General Crowder wrote, neces'
tates the retroactive feature.
During the last few weeks" Genei
Crowder stated, "the camps have becol
-noa,, 20 canacity and the imDerati