Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-06-27
WILL NOT CHANGE
DRAFT AGE LIMIT
Secretary Baker Appears Before
Senate Committee in
Opposition.
ENOUGH MEN IN CLASS ONE
Senator Chamberlain Will Fol-
low Recommendations of Head
of War Department.
ENOUGH MEN IN CLASS ONE
IBy Associated prcssJ


fore the Senate for immediate cXtcn-
sion OF the selcctivc draft age limits.
voiced to-day By Secretary Baker aud
General March, chief OF staff before
the Senate Military Committee. APP
parcntly served 10 increase the Sen
ate controversy over an amendment by
Senator Fall TO the sl2. 900 600. 900 army
appropriation bill proposing that the
age limits pc twenty to forty. instead
Of twenty to thirty-onc years
Spirited. all-day debate Of the ques.
tion in the SENATE. in which import
ant revelations Of the nations mill
tary program were made. followed the
Military Committee conference. and tho
Senate adjourned until tomorrow in
the midst of the discussion with a vot"
not within immediate prospect, BIZ:
with administration leaders confident
of ultimate, dcfea; Of the proposal.
Tomorrow the fight is TO be resumed.
with d final vote expected before the
end of the week.
Before the Senate reconvcned to-day.
Secretary Baker. General March and
Provost t-Marshal-Gcncral Crowder. who
went TO the Capitol at the request OF
the members of the Military Commit
tee. spent nearly three hours behind
closed doors with the committee. The
secretary and chief of staI said legis-
lation TO change the age limits should
be deferred for sixty or ninety days,
rs enough men for the existing army
program are available, and Il new Ind
enlarged program is now being pre-
pared for submission to Congress with
in a few months
SEN&rt; COMMITTEE
WILL OPPOSE CHANGES
Senator Chamberlain, chairman of the
Military Committee, told the Senate of
the opinions given the committee: that
General Crowder acquiesced in the pol
icy Of his superiors. and t"at the Mill
tary Committee had decided TO oppose
the proposed draft legislation.
Senator Fall ana other advocates of
the Fall amendment immediately re-
inewed their Nght for changiug the
draft ages.
Senator Chamberlain. although favor
ing immediate Legislation, announces
that ne woulc abide by the depart
meuts recommendations and oppose the
Fall amendment.
Both the secretary and General
March are of the opinion" said Mt.
Chamberlain. that no change ought TO
be made in the age limits at this time.
They Nay that in order to have proper
consideration OF what the limits
should be, "A complete investigation
ought TO be made in the age limits at
this time They say that in order to
have proper consideration Of what the
limits should he. complete investiga-
ton ought TO be made of the number
OF men now subject 10 the draft. the
number Of men that can be trans
ported TO France and the shipping
available They say that no harm can
be done or no delay occasioned by post
ponemen; of changing the ages until
September. and they very much advise
against a change until this investiga-
tion can be had.
The committee was advised that
! troops now are being sent over partl"
in French and British bottoms. and
that there may be some changes in
that arrangement July l.
SHOULD INVESTIGATE
BEFORE MAKING CHANGE
They feel that before any change
should be made there should be full
investigation. before disturbing the
social and industrial conditions of the
country"
The committee concluded by a ma
jority vote it would not be best TO un-
dcrtake at this time a change in the
draft limits.
Senator smoot. Of Utah. asked for
General Crowders views, and Senator
Chamberlain replied:
General Crowder was appealed to-.
and substantially stated that 1t was
his duty to carry out the War De-
partment's work and not recommend
policies He feels. like and many
other Senator's do. that change in the
age limits eventually will have to be
made"
Secretary Baker. General March and
General Crowder, it was stated, all op-
posed the amendment by Senator
Johnson, of California. proposing that
in future draft calls States which al
ready have furnished by voluntary en-
listments an excess over their quotas
shall be given credit for such excess
Senator Johnson was satisfied with the
statement that the present system
without credits is fairest. and planned
not to press his amendment.
WAR DEPARTMENT HEAD
BEFORE MILITARY COMMITTEE
Secretary Baker and Major-General
March. chief of staff. informed the
Senate Military Committee to-day that
they opposed as premature and um-
necessary the proposed extension of the
army draft age limits.
Provost Marshal & eneral Crowder
whose approval of the extension has
been cited by advocates Of the change
In the Senate, also appeared before the
committee TO say that, while he re-
garded the extension as necessary. lie
was not nsistent upon immediate lcgis.
lation. but Thought action should be
taken. In time to secure new regis
trants under the revised age limits
early next year.
The army officials attended meet
ing OF the committee just before the
Senate convened to continue considera-
ton OF the army appropriation bill,
with amendments pending to change
! (COntinued ON 7FIfth Pa0o-Y-