The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-06-26
HIGH OFFICIALS
OPPOSE CHANGE
Secretary Baker and Gen.
March Hold Extension Draft
Age as Premature.
CROWDER "NOT INSISTENT"
Probable Congress Will Follow
Recommendations, Say Mum.
ber of Senators.
CROWDER "NOT INSISTENT"
ASSOCIATED Press


Washington, June 26.-Secretary
Baker and Gen. March. chief of staff
informed the senate military commit
tee today that they opposed as pre-
mature and unnecessary the proposed
extension of the army draft age limits.
Provost Marshal General Crowder,
whose approval of the extension has
been cited by advocates of the change
in the senate also appeared before the
committee to say that while he re-
garded the extension as necessary he
was not insistent upon immediate leg
islation. but thought action should be
taken in time to secure new regis
trants under the revised age limits
early next year.
Confident Support in Congress.
The army officials attended a meet
ing of the committee just before the
senate convened to continue consid-
Grafton of the army appropriation bill,
with amendments pending to change
the age limits. Gen. March and Mr..
Baker said sufficient men are avail
able and subject to call from the first
registration, the Reconsideration now
in progress and from the 100000 new
registrants of the 1918 class, for the
army's requirements during the. next
few months. General opinion of the
army general staff accords with this
view, Gen. March said.
Most of the senators who heard the
statements believed that congress
would follow their recommendations.
If congress insists upon immediate
legislation. Secretary Baker, Gen.
March and Gen. Crowder were said to
be agreed. the minimum age limit of
21 should be lowered to secure
younger men for military service.
rather than to make any extensive
raise in the maximum age limit by
which older men would be secured
They told the committee that more
and better fighting men would be Sc
cured by reduction Of the age limit
they suggested it be made 20 years
instead of the present minimum OF
21.
Present Latest Figures.
The latest statistics and estimates
regarding the number of men still
available under the present draft law
and the new British Canadian treaty
were presented confdentially to the
committee, together with the war de-
partment's plans for further draft
calls.
Secretary Baker, 1t was said, ex-
pressed merely his personal views and
those of his military advisors and did
not suggest the opinion of President
Wilson on the question, although IL
had been reported that the president
also opposes immediate legislation.
New Army Program.
In asking that the draft legislation
go over for the present secretary
Baker and Gen. March said that with
in sixty or ninety days, probably
about the middle of August, after the
proposed recess of congress is ended
the administration will submit new,
comprehensive army program, cover
ing not only the number of men IL is
nronosed to raise, but also dealing
with shipping and other problems.
Accede to Superiors.
After congress returns from the re-
cess, the war department neaus stateu'
the army would be in position 10
make concrete recommendations, both
for enlargement of the army and also
regarding the draft. r
The proposal for postponement OF
the legislation changing age limits Oh
otherwise disturbing present draft ar
rangements was said to be the unani-
nous view of the war department ex-
merits. approved by Secretary Baker.
Although Gen. Crowder adhered 10 ms
advocacy of the general principle OF
extending the draft limits. before the
committee he. took the position that
he is an administrative ofhcer reaoy
to accede to the decision OF his su-
periors and that he concurred In the
suggestion. for temporary postpone
ment of congressional action.
Baker in Statement.
Secretary Baker issued the following
formal statement after he had been ,
closeted with the committee for three
hours: |
81 presented to the committee state
ments that for the present there are ,
enough men in class l sufficient for
our prospective needs and when the /
enlarged program of the United States
is ready for presentation to congress
we will at the same time have COM
plete data on which to base any rec
concentrations for change in the age
limit of the draft"
Republicans in Storm.
Senator Chamberlain's announce
ment of the war departments attitude
brought a storm of protest from the
side. Senator Sterling OF
South Dakota. insisted that Gen Crow
der. provost marshal-general. who had
charge of the draft. favored the adop-