Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-04
PROVIDES FOR $4,000 MEN,
Boys MILITARY TRAINING,
and ENDS PROMOTION RULE
Youths 10 Must Train
Three Months-Ad-
vances on Merit.


tenAnce of one field army with
war strength Of I.25Oy0OO
men is proposed in a bill es-
tablishing a permanent milf
tary policy, which was sent 10
congress today by Secretary
Baker.
The active force Of this
army would be $4,000 regu-
lars, while the remainder
would be compulsory for all
19-year-Old youths. This re-
serve strength would be used
TO fill out the 20 infantry di-
visions and one cavalry diVis-
ion into which il is proposed
to divide the regular army.
Washington, Aug. 4.-PIans
for a permanent peace time
amy Of $4,000 officers and men
and a system of universal mill
itary training were transmit
ted to congress today by Sec
retary Baker.
The plans were embodied in
bill which represents the policy of
the war department with respect
y
lishment. Under the measure all
special services built up during the
war will be maintained as separate
branches except the chemical war
fare service, which would be merg-
ed with the engineers corps.
Training for All Youths.
Three months military training
for youths of 10 would be made
compulsory and promotion of Off
GERS by seniority would be abolish
ed. Secretary Baker said the war
had showed this system to be de-
fective.
No change in the existing law
with regard to the organization OF
the national guards and its rela-
tion to the regular army was sug-
gested. Mr.. Baker said it was as
sumed that the national defense
act federalizing the guard would
be retained in force.
Subject to Service.
Under the army's plan, youths
would be subject to military ser
vice for two years after completing
the course of military training and
in the event of war the selective
service act, in effect during the
war, would be again operative.
Secretary Baker said in a letter
accompanying the bill that the plan
had not yet been referred 20 Gen
eral Pershing, but that pending his
return from France, 1t could be
used as the basis for hearings
which the senate military commit
tee is to have before drafting legis-
lation establishing a permanent
military policy.
THE bill as drawn" said Secre-
tary Baker, provides for a system
brief period applicable to all male
with suitable provision for
exemptions and deferTments.
Period Brief, but Not Too Brief.
1T does not, however. provide
for any reserve obligation since 1t
is unnecessary with a system Of
service in time of emerg-
ency. The period suggested for
training is brief, but not too brief,
II is believed, to secure a careful
stock taking of the health and ply
sicaI condition ob the young man
hood of the nation and the institu-
ton OF such remedial measures as
may be practical-nc too brief TO
initiate the habits OF orderliness.
coordination and self care which
proved so valuable in the recent
training Of men preparing for ac-
tive military service Nor Is this
period believed 10 be too brief 10
entail great advantage to the coun-
try should any future emergency oc-
cur to a call for service.
win Register Youths.
The plan for registering youths
Of 10 years Of age, Is the SAME.
with slight modification as was ap-
piled during the war, under tho
selective act The bill provides for
the appointment OF local and appeal
boards, a compensation at the rate
of $40 for every day OF actual SER
vice by board officials being pre-
scribed.
Exemption from training would
be given only to members OF tho
regular army and navy honorably
soldiers and sailors and
members of the coast guard, ma
rines employed I'm sea service and
persons permanently physically
mentally or morally unfit for any
military service whatever"
coo 600 Each Year.
Under such exemption clauses,
the average number OF boys Of 10
TO be found qualified for training
each year would be approximately
500 600. This number from tho
last annual class 10 have been
trained would be held ready for
mobilization at all times.