Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-18
bill WOULD SUBJECT
TO CALL MEN TWENTY
ONE SINCE J June 5
Men Past ThirU-0ne Would
Not Be Called in Measure
introduced by Chamberlain
for War Department

WASHINGTON. Jan. 15.-At the re-
quest of the war department today
Chairman Chamberlain, of the senate
military committee, introduced bill for
the registration for military duty of all
men who have become twenty-one years
old since June 5. 1917. when the selective
service law went into effect.
In determining upon the registration
of men who have become twenty-one
since the law was enacted, the war de-
partment has rejected any plan to raise
the age limits TO take in men more than
thirty-one.
Another bill which Senator Chamber
lain introduced at the request Of the ad-
ministration would provide for furlough-
ing national army men for harvesting
crops and other agricultural duty.
Another bill would put the quota Of
the states on the basis of available men
in the first class instead of on popula-
ton.
recommended by Crowder
Registration of men who have be-
come of age since the draft law was en-
acted, was recommended in the recent
report of Provost Marshal General
Crowder as one of the means by which
a supply of men for the national army
might be assured without taking those
who have others dependant upon them.
1t could be done also, the provost mar
shall general pointed out, by extending
the age limits above the present line
of 81 The war department had adopted
the first suggestion. 1t is estimated
that il will add about 100000 men to
the draft availables each year.
Congressmen have been advised that
further legislation would be necessary
TO perfect and carry on the draft and the
massage of senator Chamberlin's bill
with administration support is expect
ed promptly in both houses.
Another bill introduced by senator
Chamberlain would provide a distinct
i've badge or button for exempted men.
The bill changing the basis of state
quota is believed TO provide a more
equitable system, as it will exclude en-
tirely enemy aliens from the basis. En-
envy aliens were included in the basis
for the first draft and there was much
/ complaint Heavy enemy alien popula-
ton in some congested districts forced
Americans to army duty regardless of
exemption claims to make up district
quotas.
Furlough Bill
The bill 10 permit troops to go TO as-
riculturaI work merely would authorize
the secretary of war to furlough men
for civilian duty. 1t is known, however
that the war department intends to use
the authority principally to provide men
for harvest time and other agricultural
work vital to the food supply.
| To facilitate collection of private IN
surance policies held by troops. another
J hill would require private insurance COM
| NAMES to accept the official army record
as proof of death OF men among the
army insured. 1t is designed TO meet
1 the cases of men reported missing 10
which there is no actual proof of death
In case of payment by insurance COM
panies upon policies held by men re-
/ oorted missing, and who later should ap-
ncar. the bill provides for reimburse
ment TO the insurance companies by the
government.
I Exemption of the government from
pavrnent of the new war tax on automo-
! niles is the purpose of another bill in
Z troduced by Senator Chamberlain to deal
principally with the large government
/ purchase of motor trucks.
Arrangements have been made by
the war department to fill from the sec
ond call some time this spring the eX
! tcnsive vacancies in the coast artillery
/ caused by the organization of provi
sionsl regiments of mobile heavy ar
{ tiIlery for service in France. 4 limited
number of men who have particular
aptitude for the special work of tn,
corps were obtained from the first draft
but there is still a deficiency Of several
thousand. Unless some unforeseen emer
gency develops. organization of regi
nents for foreign service i'm the corp
will not be carried any further than T.
complete the units now in progress o
development