Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-08-04
100000 ] men !. ! 4 | !
AND OFFICERS ] ] J J / I I.
RECOMMENDED
No Changes in Existing Ma
tional Guard Laws is
Proposed.
THREE MONTHS OF
TRAINING URGED
Most Of Separate Branches
Of Army Would Be
Maintained. 4


officers and men and system Of uni
versal military training were trans
mitted to congress today by Secretary
Baker.
The plans were embodied in a bill
which represents the policy Of the war
department with respect to the peace
time military establishment. Under
the measure all special services built
up during the war would be main
tanned as separate branches except
would be merged with the engineer
corps.
Three months military training for
youths Of 19 would be made COM
pulsory and promotion of officers by
seniority would be abolished. Secre-
tary Baker said the war had shown
this system Of promotion to be de-
fective. @-
No change in the existing law with
regard to the organization Of the ma
tonal guard and its relation to the
regular army was suggested. Mr..
Baker said 1t was assumed that the
national defense act federalizing the
guard would be retained in force.
Not Referred to Pershing.
Secretary Baker said in letter ac-
companying the bill that the plan had
not yet been referred to- General
Pershing, but that pending his return
from France it would be used as the
basis for hearings. which the senate
military committee ie to have before
drafting legislation esta blishing per-
nnanent military, policy.s rs
1.-THE bill as drawn," said Secretary
Baker, .'provide4 for q .systsm OF unf-
yersai training for q very brief period
applicable to all male citizens with
suitable provision, Tor exemptions and
defernents. ..ssss5.s I sS.
'..'It does, not, however, provide for
any reserve obligation, since 1T as un.
necessary with a system Of universal
service in time of emergency: The
but not too brief, it is believed. to Sc
cure careful stock taking Of the health
and physical condition of the young
manhood Of the nation and the in
stitution Of such remedial measures
as may be practical, nor too brief to
initiate the habits of Orderliness, CO.
ordination and self care which proved
so valuable in, the recent training OF
men preparing for active military
service. Nor is this period believed
too brief to entail great advantage to
{ the country should any future emer.
gency require 1t to call for service"
Under the army's plan, youths
would be subject to military service
for two years after completing the
course of military training and Tn the
event of war the selective service act
in force durink the great war would
become operative.
Field Army Of f,35o,o0o.
washington, Aug. .4.-Maintenance
of one field army with a war strength
Of 1 1.250,O00 men fs proposed In bill
eeta ablishtng a permanent military
policy which was sent to congress to-
day by Secretary Baker.
$4,000 Regulars.
The active force Of this army would
ha 51O. 900 regulars while the remain
der would be young men who had TAX
an a three months military training
course which would be compulsory for
all 10 year old youths This reserve
twenty infantry / divisions and one
cavalry division into which it 10 pro-
posed to divide the regular army,
The plan for regiStering youths OF
i9 years istthe same, with slight mod
if1tations, as that applied during the
war under the selective service act.
The bill provides for the appointment
of local and appeal boards compen-
sation at the rate Of $40 for every day
OF ACLOAl eSAVASV W USosA ~ AASAsssS ~
ing prescribed.
Few Exennp&tons. e
Exemption from training would be
given only to members OF the regular
army and navy. honorablyS discharged
soldiers: and sailorSs and members u
the coast guard, mariners actually
employed In sea service and persons
permanently, physie lily, mdntally pt
morally unft for any military service
whatever" II 81
Under such exemption clauses the
average number Of boys Of 10 to be
found quaiified for training each year
would be Approximately 100000 Thil
number from the last annual class "a
have been trained would be held
ready for Immediate mobilization al
all times l$l ys5gs a 81 Z il "a