Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-08-20
EIGHTY j. S. DIVISIONS
WILL Be IN FRANCE
BY JUNE, MARCH SAYS
Mere Marriage State Is No Ex-
emptionr Secretary Baker
Says - He FayOrS Calling
t8-Year-0IdS Last

WASHINGTON. Aug. Is.-Eighty
American division of $4,000 men each.
General March told the house military
committee today. should be able to
bring the war to a successful conclusion
ir 1919" That is the number the war de
partment plans 20 have in France by
June SO. next.
No general exemption Of married men
simply because OF their married status
is contemplated by the war departent
in prsparins for the proposed extension
of military ages. Secretary Baker de-
clared today in a statement before the
house military committee on the new
administration man power bill
Mr.. Baker said his previous remarks
on this subject had been misconstrued,
and that married men who do not sup
port their families and who are not en-
gagged in useful occupations VIII con-
tinue 20 De called
There arc many married men in this
country who OuSht to go and night as
freely as single Iren." he added.
The var secretary. with General
March and Provost Marshal General
Crowdsr. appeared before the house
committee at open hearings 10 reiterate
their explanation given the senate COM
mittee that immediate enactment on the
man power bill is imperative in order 10
carry out the enlarged war program.
Two Ways Possible
There are two ways or prosecuting
this war" Mr.. Baker said "One way is
TO make every possible effort to do Il
now, and the other is TO proceed some
what more leisurely and do il late. The
obvious adv antage from every stand
point. social. military, industrial and
economical IS TO put forth every EFFORT
in this country and win the war as soon
as possible"
Secretary Baker announced that be-
cause OF objections to calling boys of
eighteen he had planned TO defer their
call as long as possible. and would not
object TO placing a provision in the bill
making a separate class of men between
eighteen and nineteen years and for de-
ferring calling them, as far as practica-
bic" until after others in class one had
been exhausted
There is a sentiment in the commit
tee" said Mr.. Baker, II don't know how
large-against calling men as young as
eighteen unless il is absolutely neces-
sary. 1 think the sentiment Of the
country is TO get all the men necessary.
But from the beginning have planned.
as a matter of regulation, to have men
eighteen TO nineteen put in a separate
class with a view TO deferring their call
until il is necessary"
Secretary Baker added that this pref
erence might well be left to executive
regulation. but he would have no objec-
ton to having written into the bill a
specific new provision to make a sep
arate class for the eighteen-year-old
youths. He explained that in planning
TO 'sift out the new registrants from
eighteen to forty-five, General CrOwder
already has prepared TO form two
cIasses-men from nineteen to thirty
six and those above thirty-six. leaving
those between eighteen and nineteen IN
a separate class
Regarding exemption Of married men,
Secretary Baker was closely examined
by committee members and denied hav-
ing stated that marriage itself was TO
be a cause OF exemption.
rs IL the intention to exempt men
just because they are married. asked
Chairman Dent
Denies Intention
No Mr.. Baker replied. explaining
that the present regulations regarding
deferred classihcations for married men
would apply TO the new registrants.
Representative TilsOn. of Connecticut.
suggested that many men are being
married to evade the new law and that
the bill should provide that those mar
ried after the new bill was introduced
should not be exempt Mr. Baker said
such a rigid provision of the law is un-
necessary II left to regulation. he
said. the department could disregard all
marriages made 20 evade the new law.
work or Fight Order
Even though the work OF fight
amendment was not recommended by
the department. Mr.. Baker said he
thought il might be well for congress
TO make such a declaration to circum-
vent industrial slackers-
When Representative Lunn, of New
York, Joined with Chairman Dent in
opposing the Thomas amendment. Sec
rotary Baker and also General Crowder
pointed out that the amendment is not
mandatory and that the president would
have power TO suspend military service
for men involved in an industrial dis
pute arising "in good faith"
Pointing out the existing work or
fight" regulations involve CONSUMPTION
of labor. Mr. Baker declared that with
men being drawn from the farms and
Industry il is only fair TO require skill
ed men TO work or ight.
Extension of the military age limit,
Mr. Baker said, necessitates the bills
provision broadening the boards power
over OCCUPATIONS and emplOyments"' as
well as industry. including aSricul-
ture"
when committee members complained
that too many men are being taken OF
farms. Mr.. Baker said il is not intended
TO call more farmers under the new
law and that the present policy Will
continue.
Secretary Morrison. OF the American
Federation Of Labor. interrupted to OPP
pose the work or fight amendment OF
the senate bill
There is no question about labor go
ing along with this government" MI
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