The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-08-26
Inserts Work or Fight Clause
in the House Bill.
Manpower Law Likely To Pass
Tonight or Tomorrow.
PROHIBITION Is SIDETRACKED
Will Be Taken Up After Draft
Law Is Out of Way.
Senate Strikes Out Provision
for Investigators.

Washington, Aug. ga clear track
was given in the senate today to the
manpower bill, passed Saturday by the
house, BROADENING the army draft age
limits to IS and As years.
When the senate convened under a
long standing agreement to take up
wartime prohibition, Senator Sheppard
of Texas, prohibition advocate, moved
to temporarily lay that measures&side.
1t was agreed to and dsj2SS on
amendments to the manpower Dill was
resumed with passage late today or to-
simplify procedure. the house bill was
substituted for the draft which has
been pending in the senate. The SEN
ate military committee met before the
senate convened and reported the
house bill with minor amendments,
after adding the senate amendment
including the work or fight" proposal
The senate committee struck out
the amendment of Representative
Treadway of Massachusetts,, adopted
by the house, providing for appoint
ment of special examiners by the pro-
vost marshal general to reclassify men
in existing deferred classes. This
amendment, the committee agreed,
would cripple authority Of state draft
boards and is unnecessary because
General Crowder already has power to
make any reclassification deemed de-
sirable.
Washington. Aug. 26.-Witb the
view of expediting passage or the
manpower bill with it's provision for
extension of the draft age limits to
1S and As years, the senate today took
up the measure as it passed the house
Saturday. The house draft of the bill
was to be reported by the senate mill
tary committee today with the work
or fight and other minor amend
ments previously agreed upon by the
senate Incorporated. Substitution of
the house bill for the senate draft was
expected to insure quick enactment of
the measure which the war depart
! lnent has termed the vital factor in
bringing the war to speedy and sue
cessful conclusion.
Vigorous contests were expected on
the floor of the senate today center
ing about the work or fight" amend
ment which provides that men given
deferred classification upon abandon
ing their civilian work thru strikes or
| in any other way will thereby lose
their deferred classification and rem
der themselves liable to immediate in
ductfon into military service. Labor
leaders have vigorously opposed the
amendment on the grounds that it is
reflection on the loyalty of Ameri-
can labor.
| After attempts to modify II had
failed, the senate accepted without a
record vote. the committee amend
ment providing that the wife of SOL
dier or sailor shall not be disqualified
| for any position under the govern emit
| because she is married
| Senator Shields, of Tennessee. pro-
posed substitute, in effect waving
| the civil service laws insofar as they
would effect such women which was
! rejected by vote of 40 to 80.
! Another committee amendment
adopted provides that men under q
shall not be denied commissions OF
entrance to officers training camps
| because of their youth.
| The amendment proposing free edu-
cation of not more than two yearv for
men enlisted or drafted under 21
| caused considerable discussion Sena-
tor Smoot objected that no educational
plan had been worked out and no cost
estimate given. Senator Borah re-
/ piled that it was not question of dol
, lars and cents; that the government
could not make a better investment
and that the boys were entitled to the
education because they would be fight.
| ing when they otherwise would be in
school,
| Will Educate Boys.
By a vote of So to IS, the senate
also accepted the committee amend
ment presented by Senator Reed, o1
| after the war at government expense
! of boys under 21 years of age, whc
either enlist or are drafted into the
! military service Or naval Seryica