Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-04-11
CROWDER ORDERS |
PROBE OF DRAFT.
Seeks Reason for Small
Class l Percentage in
Some Districts
SHARP BATTLE IN HOUSE
Raising of Eligible Age to
Forty for Bigger Army
Proposed
SHARP BATTLE IN HOUSE
Washington. April H..

Provost Marshal General Crowder
today ordered thorough investigation
Of local draft board classihcations in
districts where the percentage Of Glass
] Is sinsularly small
The inquiries are the result Of Com
Ercssional opposition to Crowders plan
10 base the quotas for future drafts
on tho number in Glass I, instead Of
the total number registered or the poph-
lRtion
In some districts. comparatively few.
The percentage Of Glass is only sew
enteen. while in other districts it is
forty-hve or fifty. Several Congress
men claim that some local boards have
deliberately adopted the policy Of cut
ting down the percentage Of Class
men to keep their quotas lower
'rhe Investigations are being ordered
Just as rapidly as it is found there
Is the least cause for one 10 was
stated at the Provost Marshal Generals $
office
Battle in House
With the Allies appealing for more
men. the House plunged into one Of
the greatest legislative battles 10 re-
move the last obstacles to the second
draft plans.
The storm center was the draft quota
bill. basing the allotmcutS Of men the
various districts must send on the
number OF men in Glass J. instead Of
the population, as was done in the first
draft
Other amendments TO give the prcsi-
dent power to call skilled workers from
any class and TO disregard volunteer
eniistments in fixing quotas for the
present, brought sharp skrmishcs
Representative julius Kahn, ranking
Republican on the Military Committee.
who will lead the fight for the amend
ments. Is ready 10 make the issue an in
dorsement OF the operation Of the draft
thus far. pointing out that five Of the
six members OF tho Military Committee
opposing the amendment also opposed
conscription. Kahn is determined TO
push the measures, all Of which have
passed the Senate through today.
Opponents OF the plan have been work.
ing for weeks lining up Information to
show injustices they claim the now plans
will bring, and also lining up members,
particularly from tho South.
Backers Of tho plan arc confident to-
day because of the declaration Of Ma jor-
ity Leader Kitchin last night that the
amendments must pass kitchin who
opposed consCription. Is now one uf she
most enthusiastic advocates.
Representative ShallcnbCrCcr, leading
the opposition, is prepared to show that
In his state some counties have sent
three times as many men as others Of
equal population because boards IN these
counties have placed three times as
many men in Class i as tho others
"Basing the quotas on the total num-
ber registered would remove this in
justice" he said, in offering his amend
inert
ShallenbcrScr, one OF the most Nigol 70
nus opponents of the draft originally,
viii urge that the draft age be raised 10
forty.
a I've must have 100000 in France,
and to do that we must have 100000
under arms" nc said.
ShallenborGer's amendment TO GNC
credit for volunteer enlstments probably
will prevail as President Wilson is En-
derstood TO favor it and the SccrctarF of
war advocates it over Provost Marshal
General Crowder's protest Cruwdvr in
sfsts. the burdens will be equally distrib-
uted III the long run without EivirS
credit now, but many members believe
his plan would cause unnecessary dis
quletuoe in certain sections,