The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1919-08-06
BAKER RECOMMENDS
UNIVERSAL TRAINING
For All Eligible Youths in Their
Nineteenth Year
BILL BY GENERAL STAFF
Calls for Il Divisions and Auxiliaries
With Strength of $4,000 Men


Washington, Aug. 4.-War Depart
ment recommendation for a system
of universal training for three months
for all eligible youths in their nine
teenth year, was presented by Sccre-
tary Baker today to the Senate ard
House military COMMITTEES for their
guidance in determining the perman-
ent military policy of the nation.
The proposal is obtained in bill
prepared the general staff of the
army at the secretary'S direction. In
transmitting the bill, Secretary Baker,
IN letter, said that General Pcrshinp
had not been consulted and the +; Ian
! was tentative.
The departments bill calls for
regular army Of twenty-onc divisions
and necessary auxiliary services, witt
peace strength of $4,000 enlistta
| men, and war strength of ,25OOO0
| The reserve to fill up the divisions to
full strength would be provided
through modified form of the selec-
1--WE service act under which the ma
tlonal army was raised for the war
with Germany. For training purposes
only youths in their nineteenth wear
| would be called to the colors for y
three months period, to be attached To
regular divisions for that time, It
IS estimated that this would provide
an annual claim Of 100000 men to hc
given intensive military instruction,
stripped of all vocational or other ed
ucational features.
For two years after the training the
youths would be required to submit
certain reports giving their addresses,
| changes in status as to dependents.
| physical condition, etc They would
receive 81 for each report called for
and submitted, thus ENCOURAGING the
making of reports. In the event of
war, all men in this ssatus would be
called to fill up regular divisions and
compose the first replacement units.
IN ebill provides for reorganization
OF the regular army in substantially
the same terms as previously recon.
mended by Secretary baker when the
current amy bill was unoc consider.
alton
No mention of the National GuaY4 is.
made in the bill. but in his lettcr TO-
the committee, Secretary Baker sal I
he assumed that the national dcfer So
act would be continued IN force, max
ing the guard the subject to federal
! ization for war.
One OF the features OF the universal
training plan Of the department. is
complete liberalization Of the regis.
tratlon and induction machinery
Local and appeal boards would be ere
ated as during the war, except that
compensation at $40 cay is provided
Tor board officials but 10 mention is
made of employing State officials or
agencies in carrying ouc the project,
| Expenses and Allowances.
Youths in training would rccciv, no
pay, but would receive payment for
| >'' >-HPN'@So anu all dllO"alcc o. -
a month for incidentaIs. No eXcnD-
| tons would be granted except to sol
dlers, sailors, members of the .ncr
chant marine, public or private or to-
those mentally or physically def ,ieNt.
10 meet the case of those with DO
pcndents, however, provision is made
Tor deferring the training period.
Theory on which the Dil! r,sts is
that I'm army Of l,250,jO0 should oe
! available for rapid inohilization at
! need. 1t provides that tie co",,iete
organization of a field army Of hat
SIZE shall be maintained, the only diff,
terence between peace and w n time
footing being in the enlisted rCngth
The twenty infantry and ono cavalry
divisions would comprise the geld
army.
TO support the plan, general staff
| offlcerS have prepared ful lGet allied
studies Of cost, systems Of mobiliza,
tlon, administration and all other fca-
lures which the department is pre-.
pared to submit whenever the Con.
Pressional committees call for them,