Arizona republican., 1918-08-23
PLAN
 EARLY PASSAGE
 IF DRAF I BILL!
Dramatic Touch Lent Spirit
 ed Speeches In Congress
 By Marching Soldiers En- training for Embarkation
Republican A. p. Leased WireJ

Republican A. P. Leased Wire1
 WASHINGTON, Aug 22.-Taking up the man power bill, changing the army draft age limits to IS and 45 years both branches of congress today debated the measure, with the leaders planning it's passage by the house to- morrow and by the senate Saturday.
 Spirited speeches urging that the needed man power for the army is counted upon to crush the enemy next year were made with crowded galleries while outside a dramatic touch was given in the marching to martial songs and cheers, of khaki-clad infantry en- training for authorization points.
 Discussion in boG senate and houss centered upon opposition from some members to calling youths of IS to the colors.
 Champions Two Amendments
 The bill was piloted in the senate and house by chairman Of the respective military committees, Senator Cham berlain of Oregon, and Representative Dent of Florida The former called traditional the policy of subjecting boys as young as IS to military service and also championed the work or fight amendment of his committee.
 Representative Dent, frankly admits ting opposition to compulsory service as policy, defended the house com- mittees amendment to defer until last | calls for boys of IS and 19, while Repre- | sentative Kahn of California ranking | republican member of the committee, urged adoption of the bill as originally presented, without tying the hands of the war department He said all men 1 between the proposed ages would be | needed.
 Would Raise Minimum Age
 An amendment proposing to make the minimum draft age 20 instead of 1 la was introduced by Senator Kirby i of Arkansas.
 Senator Wadsworth of New York, 1 offered an amendment extending the draft to the navy, while five amend ments were introduced by Senator Cummins. One provides that the work | or fight provision is not to apply to strikes, providing the strikers are will ing to submit their dispute to the de- cision of a board designated by the president. Another proposes the regis | tration first of men of 20 and between 1 31 and 30; second, those of 19 and be- tween 36 and 40, and third, if necessary, those of IS and between Al and 45.
 Many Other Amendments
 Other amendments would permit the | exemption of men engaged in some other productive occupation, employ ment or business deemed necessary" prohibit men within draft ages to leave the country for more than a week in order to engage in labor elsewhere and provide that an adequate number of men should remain in civil employment necessary to produce supplies and other necessities.
 Senator France of Maryland, spons- ored an amendment prohibiting mili- tary service abroad for youths under 21, but providing for the draft for military or other training.
 Reed Predicts Long War
 A vigorous speech in behalf of the bill was made by Senator Reed of Mis- souri, who urged an army of 50000O Americans in Russia at once and pre-
 dicted this country ultimately mus. , | furnish SIX or seven million and un-
 dergo the severe hardships of a long
 war.
 General debate closed on the bill in ; the house tonight and probably will
 conclude tomorrow in the senate. Ac-
 tion on amendments beginS tomorrow in the house.
 Shoot Offers Objection , During the debate, Senator Smoot of Utah, declared he did no. believe the necessity exists warranting the taking
 of man A years of age for military service vixen he has two sons already in the army. That situation will exist in many western states he said. .. Representative Olney of Massa- ] chusetts told the house that Provost 7 Marshal General Crowder advised him today that the draft would produce only 126.000 men qualified for military service Tn the class between the ages
 of A and 45.
 , Representative Anthony of Kansas, suggested that ali the controversies over specifying classes to be called
 in order is useless as the war depart
 ment if it chose, could call out one
 class after another few minutes apart ! Arguments against calling boys of IS and 19 were made by Representatives
 Fields, Kentucky; Meeker, Missouri
 and others.