The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-07-09

The senate recognizes the neces
sity for changing ages, altho a fe'
members are clinging to the ide
that as ten million or more hav
been registered it ought to be pos
sible to draft all the men needle
from among this number. Repeate
warnings that class one, made u
of those without dependents, i
shortly to be depleted, have faile
to convince these senators. Som
of them are opposing the change OF
the ground that they don't believ
the war department wants it. TIL
war department has so far failed tt
express it's wishes to congress.
Enough in Glass One
The change in plans for extending
tthe draft age will not endanger de
ferred classes unless some grave ex
igency arises making it necessary tt
call many more than it is now an
ticipated to call this year Under
the present program the balance Of
the calls this year will still leave
about 1000 men in class one or
Jan. /, 1918.
Extension of the draft next SEES.
! sion and probable registration OF
81 year Odds in December or January
will insure new class one reser.
voir from which to draw. In addi-
tion it is believed some 100000 men
| will be added to class one thru the
re-examination of questionnaires
now under way.
To Draw up Plan
Baker told the committee that
this plan will be drawn by the de-
partment if it is decided that a
change is essential and would be
presented to congress either late i'm
the present session or early in next
session.
Announcement of Bakers wishes
is to be made to the senate when
the discussion of the army bill is re-
sumed on June rs.
Baker expressed the view of Presi-
dent Wilson, it was learned, altho
he did not state that it was Wilson s
idea. He did not express opposi-
ton to changing the ages except as
to the method. His desire, Baker
told the committee, is that when this
step is taken lit shall not be done
"piecemeal," but shall take into con-
sideration every contingency as we'll
as the war departments ability to
train, equip and transport the addi-
tional men.
March and Crowder Confer
General March, chief of staff, and
General Crowder, provost marshal
general, concur, Baker said, in his
view that more time should be taken
to consider the problem from every
angle.
Baker disclosed the fact that IAN
enlarged military program" is being
prepared by the war department, tho
he did not go into details.
81 presented to the committee
statements that for the present there
are enough men in class one suffci-
ent for our prospective needs, and
when the enlarged program of the
United States is ready for presenta-
ton to congress we will at the same
time have complete data on which
to base any recommendations for
change in the age limits of the
draft" said Baker, after a long ses-
sion with the committee.
Army Figures
The American army will number
3, 100000 by September, and of these
1 100000 will be in France Sena-
tor Hitchcock announced in discuss
ing the proposal to defer action on
the Fall amendment.
1--WE will have practically two
in this country when
congress reassembles after a recess"
said Hitchcock, $50 there is no en-
calling for action right
now"
General March and General
Crowder followed Baker before the
committee. Both agreed with him.
Votes to Defer Action
The committee voted to abide by |
Bakers wishes and ask the senate |
to defer action. Baker was told, |
however, that when he presents his |
enlarged program" probably after
The coming session Of congress-, the
will insist that the new
1raft legislation not only change the
age limits, but provide very definite
regulations as to who shall fight and
who shall not.
The committee is practically I'M
animous in support of amendments
which will give General Crowder the
fullest authority to carry his work
IF fight" order to the limit. To this
md the new draft bill will contain
provisions for classifying drafted
men as fighters or workers and for
otherwise providing both an adequ-
tie labor supply to back up the army.
Committee members said that the
enlarged program" spoken of has
lot yet taken any definite form 20 |
1t is being prepared for, however,
" collection Of all the information
.vailable as to how far this country
an 60 next year, in getting men into |
he field and supplying them with
rtillery and aircraft. Upon the data
n oO11orfoH e. Ia ovpon<nd Sh~A 49,, |