South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-08-21
MEN OVER % MAY
Be TAKEN FIRST
IN NEW DRAF 7
New Man Power Bill Will be
Rushed Through Congress
Probably Latter Part
of This Week.


WASHINGTON. Aug -1--An
amendment 20 the man power bill
was adopted. 2 20 9, By the house
military committee late Tuesday.
providing that men above the age
OF 90 years snail be called before
those 19 and is. with the latter 10
be called last
Both senate and house will begin
consideration of the man power bill.
extending the army draft age limits
10 is and 40 years. next Thursday
under plans completed late Tuesday
IN a race 10 complete the legislation
as soon as possible.
With the bill ready for senate de-
bate on Thursday the house commit
tee late Tuesday closed It's hearings
and virtually complete the meas
ure. The bill according 10 the
committees plans. viii be reported
20 the house sday-with an
amendment adopted late Tuesday
by. a vote of 10 Z. 10 defer serv-
ice of youths is 10 10 years old
until all others are called-and
discussed IN the house Thursday.
An agreement with Speaker Clark
and with Representative Sims of
Tennessee. i'm charge of the pending
water power bill, TO give the man
power measure right of way on
Thursday was secured Tuesday by
Chairman Dent who believes the
draft bill can be passed in a single
day.
Opposition Expected.
Passage of the bill BY the house
Thursday and 10y the senate by Sat
urday is planned by leaders Vigor-
Gus contests. however, are expected
IN both branches In the senate
sharp debate is expected on the
work or night" amendment. while
in the house a controversy is brew
ing over the committees amend
ment TO defer calling boys of 8 and
10 years, a mandatory provision,
which Sec'y Baker, Gen. March,
chief of staff and Provost Marshal
Cen CrOwder have vigorously op-
posed With both senate and house
committees pledged 10 lowering the
minimum age to is years, it ap-
peared the age limits will he fixed as
recommended by the war depart
ment
. Sentiment in congress against
calling youths found expression
Tuesday in the house committees
amendment After a stormy execu-
tive session in which Representa-
tive Kahn of California led a fight
which ne promised 10 renew on the
house floor 70 retain the admins
tration measures provision giving
the president discretion to fix the
order OF calls for all men within
the new draft limits. the committee
voted 20 z, 10 write in an amend
ment offered by Representa- tive Nc
Kenzie of Illinois. republican, pro
vidiug that all men 90 years and
above shall be called before those
of 10 and is years, with the IS
year-old youths to be called last.
The amendment makes mandatory
what Sec'y Baker has indicated will
be the policy of the war department.
Amendment.
The Mckenzie amendment reads:
Provided. however. that regis
trants of the age of 10 years and
not over 20 shall be designated as
class 49, and shall be drafted sub
sequent to registrants of the age OF
20 and over 20 years. and regis
trants of the age of is years and
not over 10 years shall be designated
as class l8 and shall be called for
service last, those registrants above
the age of 30 shall be called prior
70 those IN the classes hereby Gre
ated"
May Reject Amendment.
Representative Kahn and those
Joining with him i'm support Of the
administration provision vesting au-
thority i'm the president TO establish
the order of calls reserved the right
TO oppose the Mckenzie amendment
on the floor of the house and ex-
pressed the belief that the amend
ment would be rejected Chairman
Dent and others of the committee.
who expressed themselves as dis
satisfied with Sec'y Bakers promise
10 make regulations for a separate
class for 16-year-old boys and de
fer their call as long as possible.
however. were confident Tuesday
that the house would retain the
amendment If adopted 10y the
house a sharp controversy in con
ference is expected. as the senate
bin retains the administralo pro
vision for executive discretion in es-
ta5lsRng calls.