The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-06-26
BAKER OPPOSES
EXTENSION OF
ACE FOR DRAFT
Ask Draft Legislation Be De-
ferred Until Adoption Of
New Army Program.
(Bv Associated Press)

WASHINGTON, June 26-Secretar!
Baker and General March, chief OF
staff, informed the senate military
committee that they opposed as pre-.
mature and unnecessary the proposed
extension Of the army draft age limit
Provost Marshal General Crowder,
whose approval of the extension has
been cited by advocates of the change
in the senate, also appeared before
the committee to say that while he
was not insistent upon immediate leg
islation he thought action should be
taken in time 20 secure new regis
trants under the revised age limit
early next year.
In asking that the draft legislation
go over for the present, Secretary
Baker and General March said that
within so or 80 days, probably about
the middle of August after the pro-
posed recess of congress, the admins
tration will submit a new comprehen-
sive army program, covering not only
the number of men it is proposed to
raise, but also dealing with shipping
and other problems.
Secretary Baker said an "enlarged"
program for the army is planned, in
a formal statement made after he had
been closeted with the committee for
nearly three hours with his aides.
81 presented to the committee state
ments.' said Mr.. Baker. that for the
present there are enough men in Class
1, sufficient for our prospective need
and when the enlarged program of the
United States is ready for presenta-
tion to congress we will at the same
time have complete data on which to
base any recommendation for change
In the age limit of the draft"
COMMITTEE OPPOSES MORE
After Secretary Baker and General
Nj -. onier OF stan, had opposed re-
vision Of draft age limit~ "-' ..
: that within so or 80 days the
war department would submit to con-
---,' s~-.u c44ldfseu army pro-
gram. the senate military committee
today decided to oppose any legisla-
tlon to change the draft ages
Chairman Cham berlain prepared to
make statement to the senate in
connection with the amendments to
the panding army appropriation bill
Of Senators Fall of New Mexico and
Hitchcock of Nebraska which, respec-
lively proposed making the age limit
20 to 40 years instead of 21 to 81.
When the senate reconvened and
consideration of the army bill |
Senator Chamberlain formally out |
ined the statements given by Secre- |
AIRY Baker, General March and Gen
eral Crowder
Will Be 3,3co.oco in Army.
Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska gave
igures stating that in August, when |
he final call on men in Class l will
lave exhausted that class, there will
De 100000 men in the army and that
he highest estimate Of the number
If American troops which will be in
france by that time is 1,450,00O.
Secretary Baker, General March and
General Crowder. it was stated, all op-
'osed the amendment by Senator
ohnson of California proposing that
n future draft calls, states, which
lready have furnished by voluntary
an excess over their
uotas, shall be given credit for such
xcess. Senator Johnson was salts
ed with the statement that the pres
MT system without credit is fairest
nd planned not to press his amend
lents.