The Washington herald., 1918-07-26
TO CHANGE DRAFT AGE
LIMITS TO 20 AND 36
Class | Melting Away Like
Cake Of Ice Says an
Officer.
ARMY INCREASING 100000
MONTHLY TO GET 1000, 900
Maximum Age May Be 40. if Labor
Demands Continue
as in Past.

Men reaching Fl years of age
between June, 1917, and June,
1918, and who registered on June
S. this year, are to be called to
the colors in August.
. This will come as a surprise to
most persons, even local draft
board officials having expected
the 1913 registrants would not be
called until late in the year.
The Provost Marshal General
yesterday sent to. local boards a
call for 100000 of the 1918 regis
trants to report in August. About
that many are expected to be
available from the approximately
10000 registered in June.
Army Increases Rapidly.
Further statements made yesterday
indicated that the army Is being in
creased at a rate immensely higher
than has been generally understood.
line EGSulI Inc
is said to be preparing to ask Con-
gress. on its reassembnng, to extend
draft ages to 20 minimum and at least
6 maximum. The maximum may even
be 10 years, if labor for munition
plants be further supplied through
the assistance Of the draft ma
chinery.
A prominent officer said: Our
Glass 1 is melting away like cake
of ice in the sunshine of weather
such as We have had during the past
few days. We are now calling up
100000 men month, and that rste
means that. unless we are given rev
lists of registrants soon. we will be
forced to close up shop"
Local draft boards have also been
warned not to give waivers to men
who wish to enter the navy. Marines
or necessary industrial work. unless
>,the boards are convinced that they
n ~ supply the quotas which Will be
ought in August.
Draft Age Changes.
Iaroads upon Class in the past two
" Seks by the navy, Marines and ship
brlding and other war industries
wsre so great that army officers yes
e day predicted that men of Class =
Ngll be called to the eolors in Septem-
rer. unless draft ages are raised by
Coagress.
Following conferences among army
ehiefs at Mai. Gen. Crowder's office
:. was disclosed that President Will
sd and Secretary Baker have approy-
ID a bill to De placed soon before Con-
ETeSs calling for the advance Of draft
Tho h..
years to at least 36 years. II the
srlft Is to be used to. bolster up the
{s Sor supply OF munitions plants. the
J rease will be to 10 years.
The months Of June and July have
eSsn 10000 men taken from the 1,O0O, 900
I aho were in Glass 1 on June i.
Members Of the General Staff who
have been urging greater speed in the
registration Of the man power of the
nation were elated when it was found
that early action by Congress is to be
pressed by the administration.
To Take Time.
An officer. informed on the situa-
ton. said:
"It is obvious that Congress- will
take time to decide the changes in
the law. It Is hoped, am assured,
that q change may be made by which
the new classification will call for
the registration Of all men from 20 to
IS years of age. But the higher you
70 in draft ages. the more comolicat-
ed becomes the task necessary of de-
Gliding who are necessary in the in
dustrial pursuits- Many halts. were
caused by the fling OF long briefs and
much evidence In the cases Of young
ner who were prominent in great in
dustries. 1t can be readily under
stood that with the raising Of the
draft ages, the number of such cases
will be greatly augmented"
The recent offensive IN Franco
has opened the way for widespread
propaganda among the German
armfes- The German nation is to
be told that America will have 3,-
10000 In her armies this year, and
that 4.000.( 600 will be ready early
in 1913.
On every side in Washington yes
terday comment was heard concern
ing the organization Of a new di-
vision Of the Labor Department to
press the recruiting of men for
work in the coal fields. 1t was
openly stated that many other in
-dustries win apply soon for similar
4 aid IN bringing the working forces
OF the country to the war munitions
plants now hampered By lack Of
labor.