Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1918-06-26
Baker, March and Other
War Officials Opposed
to Action Now.
ARE FORMULATING
NEW WAR PROGRAM
Secretary Baker Tells Senate Commit
tee Work on Greater Army Plans
Will Be Presented in August
Change in Draft Ages to Come Later,
With 20 Years as Probable Minimum
-class I Sufficient For Present.

Washington. June 26.-After Secre-
tary Baker and General March. chief
of staff, had opposed revision Of draft
age limits, and announced that within
sixty or ninety days the war depart
ment would submit to congress a new
and enlarged army program, the senate
military committee today decided to
oppose any legislation to change the
draft ages.
Probably about the middle Of August,
after the proposed recess of congress-
the administration will submit the new
comprehensive army program. covering
not only the number OF men 1t Is PRO-
posed to raise but also dealing with
shipping and other problems.
Secretary Baker said an "enlarged"
program for the army is planned. in a
formal statement made after he had
been with the committee three hours.
II presented to the committee state
ments," said Mr.. Baker. that for the
present there are enough men in Glass
l sufficient for our prospective needs
and when the enlarged program is
ready for presentation we will at the
same time have complete data on which
to base recommendations"
Congress May Follow Recommendation.
Most of, the senators who heard the
statement believed congress would fol-
low the recommendation.
IF cOngraSS in sist IN iyop,e ,e1jota 1aor
islation. Secretary Baker, General
March and General Crowder were said
to be agreed the minimum aye limit of
81 should be lowered to secure younger
men for military service rather than
make any extensive raise in the maxi
mum age limit. They told the commit
tee that more and better fighting men
would be secured by reduction of the
age limit. They suggested it be made
|2O years, instead of the present mini
mum Of 21.
The latest statistics and estimates
regarding the number Of men still
ayeilahle under the present draft law
and the new British Canadian treaty
was presented confldentially to the
committee. together with the war de-
partmept, plans for further draft calls.
Secretary Baker, it was said, ex-
pressed merely his personal views and
those Of his military advisers and did
not suggest the opinion of President
Wilson on the question. altho it has
been reported the president also op
posed immediate legislation.
Change to Como Later.
Senator Chamberlain prepared to
make statement to the senate in,
connection with the amendments> to
the pending army appropriation bill
Of Senator Fall, Of New Mexico. and
Hitchcock, Of Nebraska, which. respec-
lively, proposed making the age limits
20 to 40 years instead Of 81 to 81
When the war departments en-
larged program is submitted members
said, the committee. which virtually Is
unit In favor later OF extending the
draft age limits. also plans to prescribe
by legislation regulations regarding
the classes Of men who shall work or
fight. Such regulations. 1t was said,
probably would extend the work or
fight principle.
z Credit System Opposed.
No definite figures on the enlarged
program were presented 1t was i'm
possible, officials said to give any
exact figures. 49,.
When the. senate resumed consider
alton of the army BILL Senator Cham
berlain formally outlined the state
ments given by Secretary Baker Cen
eral March and General Crowder
Secretary Baker. General March and.
General Crowder, 1t was stated, all
opposed the amendment by Senator
Johnson, of California, proposing that
in future draft calls states which al
ready have furnished by voluntary en-
listments in excess Of their quotas
shall be given credits for such excess.
Senator johnson was not satisfied with
the statement that the present system
without credits is fair and planned to
press his amendment.
:. Class 4 Raises $780, 900.
Senator Hitchcock Of Nebraska,
gave figures stating that in August
when the final cal! on men in Glass !
/ will have exhausted that class. tnere
Il oaA ma. 4ha army and