The sun., 1918-08-05
CONGRESS TO DELAY
MAN POWER BILL
Several Weeks May Elapse Be-
fore It Is Reported Out
Of Committees.
POLITICS BIG FACTOR
Effort Will Be Made to Do
Away With Calling Men
Under Age Of 81.
Special DespascA TO TEE srS.

opeudt DeSpotCO 70 bhb oUN'
WASHINGTON, Aug. awhile comment
On the new draft ages proposed by Sec
rotary Baker was generally favorable
to-day Congress Is not going to be In
any hurry about passing the man power
bill. The man power legislation will be
introduced In both houses tomorrow
In the form Of an amendment to the
sciective service act. 1t will be referred
to the appropriate committee with In
dications that 1t may be several weeks
before the legislation is reported.
Both houses are going along under
an agreement whereby they meet only
every three days and transact no busi-
ness. This 'gentlemen's agreement" was
made after much difiiculty and largely
in order to let certain Senators and
their political fences. There is no in
intention on the part Of the Democratic
leaders in either body to call these NOM
bers back In order to rush the measure
through.
In refusing to bring Congress back
before the time set the majority leaders
feel that they have the full sanction Of
the Administration. 1t was recalled to-
day that those who inquired OF the
President found that speedy passage Of
the wire control resolution was all that
he saw standing in the way of a recess,
or a virtual recess. when It was ar
ranged
Man Power Bill Must Wait.
Unless there IL q complete reversal OF
the programme which has been mapped
out the man power bill will have to wait
. while even after Congress gets back
on the Job. The House has agreed to
take up the water power bill when It
reconvenes on August 10 and get 1t out
Of the way In time to take care Of the
revenue bill when 1t Is brought In from
tho Ways and Means Committee. II
this programme Is followed It would
postpone consideration Of the man power
bill considerably.
In the Senate the situation Is full OF
gunpowder. Prior to the gentlemen's
agreement for a virtual recess until Au-
gust Is the Senate voted to make the
food production stimulation bill the or
der Of business when regular sessions
are resumed.
This measure carries tho much dis
eussed war time prohibition rider. and
on its passage or defeat depends not only
prohibition but a large part Of the reve-
nus legislation will fall to pieces II that
rider Is passed. and then both houses of
Congress would have to dispose finally Of
the prohibition question before the reve-
nue. bill could be drawn. Proponents Of
the wartime dry measure have had so
many tricks played on them that they
are more than likely to insist on action
by the Senate before taking up the man
power bill.
Right Of Way in House.
In tho house the new revenue bill has
right of way once the water power bill
Is disposed of. There will be strong op-
position to displacins the big money bill
with tho man power bill because of the
tight expected to be made on the lower
age limit proposed by the Admlnistra-
ton.
Once the man power bill Is before the
House there Is going TO be a determine ed
effort to do away with calling men be-
low legal age. With elections facing
every man IN the House they are afraid
that the political effect of vote for
that part OF tho Administration pro-
Rramme would hurt them at home.
There Is a strong belief in certain quar-
tiers in the House that the age limit was
lowered to IS years by the Admln!stra-
ton 80 that the leaders handling the
measure in Congress should use II for
trading purposes and keep the balance
OF the bill as the Administration desires
The now draft age limits would strip
Congress Of no less than 10 members
were II not for the fact that they are
entitled BY tho selective service regula-
lions to 20 into Class s as they fall into
che classification OF Legislative. execu-
tive and judicial officers'' Of the Gov
eminent. However. they may waive this
automatic exemption II they choose. It
10 doubtful. though. II many Of them
will give up $500 a year in salary.
mileage and relative safety to get $50 a
month and army service.