New-York tribune., 1918-05-02
100000 Men Available
in Class l of Draft to
Increase Forces
Ship Men Confer on
Transporting Troops
Dent Introduces Measure in
House Providing for an
Army of 100000
tBy The Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, May 1.-Secre-
tary Baker will carry to Congress
tomorrow the army increase pro-
gramme mapped out by President
Wilson and his advisers and based
on the determination to win the war.
If it takes the whole man power of
the nation to do it. There are indi
cations that he will ask that all re-
strictions on the number of troops
to be raised be removed and the gov
ernment authorized to mobilize as
many men as it can equip, train and
send to the battlefront in France.
When the War Secretary appears
before the House Military Commit
tee with supplemental estimates for
the army, he is expected to disclose
that the department has reason tt,
believe it can handle during the
present year, at least double the
existing force under arms of approx
imately 100000 men. That would
means total of 100000 soldiers
Tor whom clothing, equipment and
transportation are now in sight
Would Make Victory Certain
Should additional facilities become
available, however, it is indicated
that President Wilson wishes to be
able to call out more men without
delaying to seek authority.
Evidence came to-day in various
ways of the tremendous effort that
now is being made to send American
armies into the fight in such numbers
and at such time as to make victory
certain.
In the morning the members of the
Shipping Board and the War Indus
tries Board met with the War Council,
composed of army officials Details of
additional ships and supplies were
gone into, it is understood, on the basis
OF the recent surveys of the situation.
Later the President met his War
Cabinet at the White House and went
over the ground thoroughly. Secretary
Baker remained more than an hour
with the President after the other
members of the War Cabinet had de-
parted.
Dent Introduces Bill
In the House, Chairman Dent, of the
Military Committee, introduced bill
that would authorize the mobilization
and organization of 100000 selectve
service men instead of the 100000 to
which the government is limited by the
existing act. Mr.. Dent said the meas
ure was his own and he had not con-
suited the War Department..
The bill would "authorize the Presi
dent to further increase temporarily
the military establishment of the
United States" 1t also provides "that
during the present emergency, the
President be, and he is hereby, au-
thorized to raise by draft, organize
and equip an additional force, over and
above that now authorized by the act
authorize the President to increase
temporarily the military establishment
of the United States Of 100000 en-
listed men, or such part or parts
thereof as he may deem necessary, in
accordance with the terms and provi-
sions of said act of May IS, 1917, or
any act or acts amendatory thereof.
"That the President is further an
thorized, during the present emergency,
in his discretion and at such time or
times as he may determine, to raise
by draft, organize and equip an addi-
tional force of not to exceed two mill
| ion enlisted men, or such part or parts
thereof as he may deem necessary, under
the same terms and provisions as pro-
vided in section / Of this act: Provided,
that the total number of enlisted men
now drafted or to be hereafter drafted