New-York tribune., 1918-06-27
Baker. General March and General


Crowder.
"Both the Secretary and General
March are of the opinion" said Mr..
Chamberlain, "that no change ought to
be made in the age limits at this time.
They say that, in order to have proper
consideration of what the limits should
be, complete investigation ought to
be made of the number OF men now
subject to the draft, the number of
Non that can be transported to France
and the shipping available. They say
that no harm can be done nor delay
cocasoncd by postponement of chang
ing the ages until September, and they
very much advise against a change
until this investigation can be had
"The committee was advised that
troops are now being sent over partly
in French ana British bottoms, and that
there may be some changes in that ar
rangemcnt July 1-cithcr that the ar
ranpcmcnt will continue or more Amer
lean tonnage will hc available.
"Thcy feel that before any change
should be made there should be a
full investigation before disturbing the
social and industrial conditions of the
country.
"The committee concluded by ma
joritv vote that it would not be best to
, undertake at this time change in the
draft limits"
Senator Smoot, Of Utah. asked for
General Crowder's views and Senator
Chamberlain replied:
General Crowder was appealed to
and substantially stated that it was his
duty to carry out the War Depart
ment's work and not recommend
policies. I think VIC can all read be-
tween the lines of General Crowder's
statement, and | think he feels like |
and many other Senators do, that a
change in the age limits will have to
be made eventually.
"They feel that no uclay can be oc-
casioned by waiting two months or So"
Senator McCumber of North Dakota,
pointing out that it is function of
Congress to raise armies, said the
Military Committee, "scems to use no
judgment of it's own, but follow that
of the War Department.
Senator Chamberlain replied that it
was proper for the committee to seek
the advice of those directly in charge
of the conduct Of the war. Fle said
that by postponing consideration Of the
draft question at this time lie did not
any call being made on men in
Class 2.
Senator Fall of New Mexico, Wig
orously criticised the War Depart
ment's altitude He said there is ap-
parently an impre ression in the minds
of some people that it would take more
food and ammunition in France for a
man who is without dependants than
for a man with wife and five chill
dren who has been inducted into mil
itary service.
Senator Chamberlain said he was
not altogether in favor of all the views
&c ~. Cooro+or,, Of Wor oddinU IF h o
had his way he would have 100000
men in France with all possible speed.
"Of course I know there was no
! reference to the election used," in
terrupted Senator Fall, referring to
to-day's conference.
"If thought the Secretary Of War
was small enough and the Chief of
Staff was base enough to oppose this
on the grounds that an election is
coming, I would repudiate the recon-
mendations of both OF them," declared
Senator Chamberlain,
Senator Hitchcock, d member of the
Military Committee, declared there
was an undue amount. of confusion
over the issue. q. ar.,
"No committee has considered or ad-
vocated any change in the draft law,
he said "Secretary Baker and General
March did not seek any change. 1t is
here on an appropriation bill that an
effort is made to make the change.
And it was in an effort to secure light
on their attitude that the chairman Of
the Military Committee asked the Sec
retary of War and TIE Chief of Staff
to confer with the committee to-day,
so there was noacffort made by Secre-
tary Baker or Geheral2 March to inter
fere. There is no attempt on the part
Of the War Department TO interfere
with Congress-"