Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-05-24
MUST Do USEFUL
WORK OR FIGHT
Two Important Steps Taken
Thursday to Put Nation
on War Basis.
WILSON GIVEN MORE POWER
Secretary Baker Asks Authority
to Call as Many Men as
Can Be Trained.
WILSON GIVEN MORE POWER
fRv A.sociatod Prcss1


WASHINGTON. May 25.-Twn i'm
portant steps were taken to-day to-
ward perfcctins the task Of putting
the nation on a war basis
Soon after Provost-NIarshal-C General
Crowdcr had promulgated a dras,i..
amendment to the selectivc service
regulations requiring every man of
draft age to work or fight Secretary
Baker appeared before tho House Mill
tarv Committee and asked that presi-
dent Wilson he authorized to call 20
tho colors all men of draft age who
can be equipped and trained. The COM
mittee promptly and unanimously
voted the authority into tho army ap-
preparation bill about 10 be reported
to the House.
Under existing law, power is given
to draft 100000 fighting men. in
addition to special units. This limi,
soon will be reached with men con-
stantly going into camp to replace
those sailing for France as fast as
ships can be provided to take them
With the law changed as the Presi-
dent desired. the man power of the
country will be drawn upon for what
ever force may be necessary to win
the war.
General Crowder's new regulation Is
far reaching in scope and touches not
only habitual idlcrs, but also requires
that draft rcgistrants now in occupa-
tions held TO he nonuseful seek new
jobs or take their places in the army
Clerks in stores. walters. bartenders.
employees al places of amusement. pas
senSer elevator men and other en-
p!oyees around hotels. clubs and bust
ness buildings, as we'll as gamblers,
fortune tcllers and race track and
bucket shop attendants, all fall among
those classed as nonusefully engaged
Enforcement of the rule is expected
TO add some men to the army and to
do a more important service In i'm
proving the labor situation in essential
industries.
PROVIDES PAY FOR ARMY
OF 100000 MEN
The House Military Committees ac-
ton. after hearing Secretary Baker.
completed the army bill. with pro-
visions for the pay Of 100000 men
and with ordnance appropriations on
the basis OF an army of 100000. The
measure will he laid before the House
carrying total of so.569,l29, 900 OF
actual appropriations and authoriza-
tion for contracts amounting to S.
i6t.4lG.oo0 more.
Mr. Baker told the committee in
executive session the Presidents rea-
son for asking that no limit be placed
upon the number OF draft men TO be
called. Members later said it was
estimated that an army of 5,o0O.0 900
could be raised without changing the
graft age.
RONOST-MtRSnAL HAS
DRAFT LAW AMENDMENT
The statement of the provost-mar-
shal-generars office follows:
Provost st-Marshal-Genera! Crowder
to-day announced an amendment TO the
selcctive service regulations which
deals with the great question of COM
pelling men not engaged in useful
occupation Immediately TO apply them
selves TO some form OF labor. contribut-
ing TO the general good The idler,
100. will find himself confronted with
The alternative OF finding suitable en-
ployment or entering the army.
This regulation provides that az
ter July l. any registrant who is fou
oy local board 10 he a habitual idler,
or not engaged i'll some useful occu-
board. given a chance to explain. and.
m the absence of a satisfactory eX-
p!anation, 10 be inductcd into the mil
itary service of the UAited States
Any local board will be authorized
to take action, whether it has original
jurisdiction of the registrant or not:
in other words. any man afing
around poolroom in Chicago may be
held to arrest to Chicago board. even
though he may have registered in New
YORK ana lived there most Of his life
APPLY TO THOSE WHO ARE
"LIVING BY THEIR WITS"
The regulations which apply to
idle registrants will he deemed to an
ply also to gamblers OF all descriptions
and employees and attendants Of
bucket shops and race tracks, fortune
tellers. clairvoyants. palmists. and the
like, who for the purpose of the resu-
lations. will be considered as idlers
The new regulations will also affect
the following classes:
"(a) Persons engaged in the serving
of food and drink or either. in public
places. including hotels and social
clubs.
"tb) Passenger elevator operators
and attendants. doormen, footmen and
other attendants OF clubs. hotels. stores,
apartment houses. Office buildings and
lighthouses.
"(c) Persons, including ushers ard
other attendants, engaged and occupied
in. and in connection with games,
sports and amusements. excepting ac-
tual performers I'm legitimate concerts,
operas or theatrical performances
"td) Persons employed in domestic
service.
"(e) Sales clerks and other clerks
employed in stores and other mercan-
tito establishments.
Men who are engaged as above, or
who are dlers will not be permitted
to seek relief because of the fact that
they have drawn late order number
or because they have been placed In
class two. three or four. on tho
grounds of dependency The fact that
he is not usefuily employed Will out
Continued on Fourth Page)