The sun., 1918-07-31
REPUBLICANS PUSH
MAN POWER BILL
Leaders Eager to Reconvene
Congress for Action on
Bakers Measure.
DEMOCRATS FIX FENCES
Many Have Gone Home to Tell
Constituents Why They
- Should Be Reelected.
specfnl p.sratcA to III. sex.


WASHINGTON, July 30.-Repuolican
leaders In Congress are preparing 70
force an early reconvention OF Congress
to pass the Administrations man
power bill" The recent publication OF
a report that the bill is ready, that the
only thing blocking 1t is the fact that
Congress Is not here to act on II. IL
taken as bit OF press agent work by
the Administration as the published re-
. port appeared under the name OF the
. man supposed to reflect accurately the
views OF the White House.
Republicans are willing to believe that
the bill is ready and quite as willing
. to enact it into law. When last heard
from the Secretary of War said that
he was mot quite ready with the DILL
=. but he may have finished 1t by this time
Republican leaders take the position
that they did not want the recess OF
Congress or what virtually amounts to
A recess They have felt all along that
Congress should remain here on the JOB
for whatever emergency might arise
such as the final whipping into shape
of the man power bill. which will extend
the draft ages in both directions.
Democrats Showed WEAKNESS.
, As a matter Of fact the Senate and
House were prepared to take up the bill
whenever Mr.. Baker finally made UP his
mind what the limits of the draft ages
should be under the new bill. In the
midst Of this. Democratic leaders in
the Senate and House made two efforts
to wind up all Congressional business
for the summer succeeding on the sec
ond attempt.
great many Democrats, psrticu-
larly In the House, urgently desired
some sort Of vacation from their legis-
lative duties so that they could go back
and try TO square themselves with their
constituents for failing to vote for the
war the draft law and many other
measures which were enacted only be-
cause Republicans answered the Presl-
dents plea and came to his support.
Any move now to try TO put the blame
for holding back the man power on the
shoulders OF the Republican minority
Is going to be blocked right at the start.
It became evident to-day.
Republicans Ready to Act.
II believe it will become necessary
for Congress to reconvene and really
get down to business before the end
Of the three day recess plan." said SEN
ator Curtis (Kan.), Republican whip
II think / can say for my Republican
colleagues that they stand ready on q
moments notice TO return to Washing
ton and take up and pass the man powe,
bill or any other war legislation the
Administration wishes to present"
Senator Curtis is understood to typify
the Republican attitude in both branches
of Congress. Few Of the Republicans
classed as leaders are in Washington al
this time, while the "gentlemen's agree.
ment" to do no business is In effect. and
to which the Democrats eagerly as
scented in order to go home and try to
be reelected.
The way the matter stands now Is
that II there ts any delay In making the
man power bill law 1t will be because
Democrats do not desire to tear them.
selves away from their districts and
give their constituents an opportunity
to think of the wisdom OF electing others
IN their places. ..