Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-08-05
ASKS COMPULSORY
TRAINING MEASURE
Baker r m m n d S Calling
Eighteen-Year-Old Youths
to Army Camps.
WOULD DRILL THREE MONTHS
Requests Twenty-One Divisions
of $4,000 Men for Country's
Regular Establishment.
WOULD DRILL THREE MONTHS
IRy Associated Press.1

WASHINGTON. August 4.-war De-
partment recommendation for a system
OF universal military training of three
months for all eligible youths in their
nineteenth year was presented by Sec
retary Baker today TO the Senate and
House Military Committees for their
guidance in determining the pcrman-
ent military policy of the nation.
The proposal is contained in a bill
prepared by the general stan of the
army AT the sccretary's direction In
transmitting the bill, Secretary Baker
IN 4 letter said that General Pershinc
had not been consulted and that the
departments bill calls for regular
army OF twenty-one divisions and
Necessary ness auxiliary services. with a
and war strength of l.25O.ooo The
reserves TO fill up the divisions TO full
:trength would be provided through a
act under which the National Army
was raised for the war with Germany.
Call for Three Months' Period.
For training purposes only youths
In their nineteenth year would be call
ed TO the ,colors for. three-month
neriod. TO be attached to regular d.
VISIONS for that time. 1t is estimated
di that this so would provide an annual
siTe military instruction. stripped of
all vocational or other educat tionai sea
ufeS.
For two years after training ,to
Youths would be ro quired to su5:mi, crI. ,re
tam reports giving their addresses
ohanseS nhs. in status as to dependents.
and submitted. thus cncouraSinr tpc
ma ma kinE Of reports. In the event OF
,.ii AZ men IN this status would be
Gaiien 10 the co!ors to fill UP :ho rcru-
lar divisions ana compose the first -
Placemen. unI,S.
Provides for Reorganization.
The bill provides for reorganization
ooI me regular army in substantially
inc same terms as previously recon-
mended by Secretary Baker when the
,nd vG[reht army appropriation bill was
IS made in the bill. but in his letter to
ne committee chairman, Secretary
tansi enI dstsnss Sa'a ne saSssSmsd that
IN forSe. making the guard subject te
federa lization for war. =
One teatSre OF the universal training
pan oi Inc department is comple r.
Iedera lization OF the registration spf
INDUCTION machinery. Local and an.
peal boards would be created as durinr
inc war. except that comnenss tion .,
sio a day is provided for board Off.
Gals: but no mention is made of en-.
ployins State officials or agencies in
carrying out the project.
Youths Receive Expenses.
SHS ii training would rcceiye
no pay, but would receive pavmcnt
tto' al! expenses and an ALLOWANCES Of
30 month for incidentals. No eS.
empt!ons would be granted excent >,
soioiers, sailors. members OF tho MAJ
chant marine. public or private or to
,,nose mentally or physically de6rient
meet the case of those with denen.
cents. however, provision is made 70,
re- ing the training period.
inc theory on which The bill roe,s
Is vsf,s ,nst s an army of 1850. 900 should he
availaae fo- rapid mob:lization st
need: II provides that the cnmp,ete
f1ze Sn shall be maintained. the only dif.
tteIence between peao and Wartime
510oting being in the enlisted strenpth
Inc twenty infantry and one cavalrw
oiHIsion would comprise the field army
10 support the plan. general sIatf
o!nccrs nave prepared full detaiind
.tuules or costs. systems OF mohiiiz,
non aoministration and all otbcr fea
tureS which the department is ne
pared 10 submit whenever the concrcs
''ohai committees call for them
Exemption for Veterans.
Exemption from training wou,d ho
given only TO members Of the reru,e {
aInS ana navy. honorably dischar~ed
spLaicIs and sailors and members ~
lhe coas. guard. mariners actuaIIv en-
pIo!ed In sea service and "nersone
permanently physically. mentaIlv nr
Whatever" seF'ice