Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-08-23
z MONTHS LOST
BY Democratic Delav
On Draft
selated Efforts Recall Recent HE.
tory OF oefunet Fall Arendm.,,
Turned Down BY Administration
in June

Turned Down BY Adn,inistra.io,
in June
Washington, D. C., Aug, 21--tspec.
isD-If the Republicans could hars
had their way last June, the draft Law
now being considered would haya
been on the statute books and a vita,
sixty day period in the best part a.
the year. mid summer, would have
been gained for intensive war prep.
aration. Those in the Capita. who
are observing the present belated ef.
forts to enact this essential legisia.
ten. are recalling the recent history
OF the now defunct Fall amendment
Senator Fall, Republican of New
Mexico, on June gath. 1915. introduced
an amendment to the Army Appro.
EcIations bill which was practically
what the War Department now asks
for an extension of the ages from Is
10 As. Practically all the Republicans
in the Senate supported this amend,
ment and it was favorably considered
by the Senate Committee on Military
Affairs.
Secretary of War Baker opposed
the Fall amendment before the Senate
Committee. declaring there were en-.
ough men in Glass I of the original
craft to answer all the prospective
leeds" OF the army. altho Provost
MARSHALL General Crowder stated 70
.he committee at the same time that
that he did not agree with his su.
perior. and that in order to keep up
tIe full military strength of the ma.
ton il was his opinion that the Fall
amendment was a necessary measure
OF that time.
Relying upon the expert advice q
General Crowder. as well as their
| own knowledge of the military neces-
stiles OF the nation, the Republican
leaders. including Senators Wads-.
worth McCumber, Fall and others
vigorously upheld the amendment on
ths floor of the Senate. However,
due to the influence Of Secretary Ba.
kcr the Fail amendment was de.
fcated.
Even IL the act now being debated
should be passed Immediately. 1t will
s.ill require at least thirty and per.
haps sixty days for the Proves.
Marshal Generals Office to complete
the registration and the vast and
complicated classification that must
result therefrom. The very situation
1orseen by the Republican leaders In
June now confronts the nation and
must be met with the initial haste
that characterized the original draft
act Of April. 1917, when 1T might as
we'll have been performed earlier in
the summer in a more ieisurely. mora
methodical and less costly manner.
The warnings uttered by Republican
leaders on the floor Of the Senate dun.
ing the last week in June are low Be.
ing recalled as Congress is making a
hurried consideration of a new drati
bill.
Senator wadsworth. Republican. Of
New York, asserted on the floor on
June 9th that Class OF the present
resistrants would be exhausted by Sep.
TENDER 18th. and that there would be no
reservoir Of men from which to draw
troops during the months OF October
November and December unless the
ages were lowered from q ard advanced
beyond 81 Concluding. he said:
Can we not get out Of the habit Of
mind which leads US to endeavor 10
meet obligations only after they have
overtaken us. a habit of mind that has
been all too prevalent in this country
and in the management OF this war;
Senator McCumber, Republican. Of
North Dakota, prote sting against Secre-
tary Bakers insistence that there was
no need for hurry, declared that unless
the draft ages were extended at once
Chat was in June) the nation would he
forced 10 halt its military preparations
eventually while a bill could he passed
extending the draft ages.
Il cannot understand" concluded Ser
ator McCumber. the comrlaceucy Of
the secretary OF war in the face OF dis.
aster after disaster. he even returned
from the western front with his CON-
piaccnt smile and reported everything
was all light
Senator Fall. Republican, OF New
Mexico, author of the defeated amend.
ment, declared his surprise that after
II months OF war the war department
was still unable to tell:
whether We need any more men,
neither we are going to need any more
men, whether we have supplies to fur
nish them. and where We will be able
10 use them when we get them
Apparently tho war department does
not care to have any measure OF pr.
paTedneSs adopted.
LII nnN further nrOOf were needed as .