Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1918-05-08
FOR MoBILIzING MAN.PowER.
Secretary Baker Presents Plans for
Army of 100000.


Baker will carry to Congress to-mor-
row the army increase program map
ped out by President Wilson and his
advisers based on the determination
to win the war If it takes the whole
man-pOwer OF the nation to do it.
There are indications that he will ask
that all restrictions on the number
OF troops to be raised be removed
and the government authorized to
mobilize as many men as it can
| equip. train and send to the battle
front in France.
When the War Secretary appears
before the House military committee
with supplemental estimates for the
army, he is expected to disclose that
the department has reason to believe
it can handle during the prescntyear
at least double the existing force un
der arms of approximately 100000
men. That would mean a total Of
100000 soldiers for whom cloth
ing. equipment and transportation
now are In sight. Should additional
facilities become available. however,
1t is indicated that President Wilson
wishes to be able to call out more
men without delaying to seek au-
thority.
Evidences caAc to-day in various
ing made to send American armies
into the fight in such numbers and in
such time as to make victory certain.
In the morning heads Of the shipping
board and the war industries board
met with the war council. composed
Of army officials. Details of addition
al ships and supplies were gone into,
it Is understood, on the basis of the
recent surveys of the situation.
Later the Presidents war cabinet
met with him at the White House
and went over the ground thorough
| ly. Secretary Baker remained more
, than an hour with the President after
the other members of the war cabi-
net had left.
Dent Proposes 4,OOO,O 900 Men.
In the House Chairman Dent, of
the military committee, introduced
bill that would authorize the mobili-
cation and organization of 100000
selective service men, instead OF the
100000 to which the government
is limited by the existing act. Mr..
Dent said the measure was his own
and he had not consulted the War
Department on it.
The bill is entitled Ito authorize
the President to further increase
temporarily the military establish
ment OF the United States" and pro-
vides that during the present emer-
gency, the President be, and he is
hereby. authorized to raise by draft,
organize and equip an additional
force. over and above that now au-
thorized by the act Of May IS, 1917,
entitled AN act to authorize the Pres
ident to increase temporarily the
military establishment OF the United
States of one million enlisted men,
or such part or parts thereof as he
may deem necessary. in accordance
with the terms and provisions of said
act Of May is, 1917, or any act or
acts amendatory thereof.
THAT the President is further au-
/ thorized, during the present emer-
gency. in his discretion and at such
time or times as he may determine
to raise by draft, organize and equip
An additional force Of not to exceed
two million enlisted men. or such
part or parts thereof as he may deem
necessary, under the same terms and
provisions as provided in section / Of
this act: provided, that the total
number Of enlisted men now drafted
or to be hereafter drafted under this
act. the said act Of May IS, 1917, or
any act or acts amendatory thereof,
shall not exceed four million"
100000 Men Available at Once.
Under the new classification
sche ne there are understood to be
l.S0G,000 men Immediately available
for active military service in Glass |
That estimate is based on the returns
OF numerous States 80 the law Of
averages. 1t excludes all nen rated
as fit only for limited spec al service.
all delinQuents slated for immc diate
Induction into Glass when appre-
hended, and ali OF the so-called rem
edial cases, the men who will be TT
for active service after operations or
medical treatment 10 correct 1ninnr