Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-08-07
MILITARY TRAINING
BILL IS DRAFTED
War Department Prepares Ten
tative Measure Which Aims to
Establish a Permanent Mill
tary Policy for the Country
YOUTHS OF 10 ELIGIBLE
Plan Provides for Universal Military
Training - Nineteen-Year Class
Would Receive Three Months Train.
Ing Would Provide Ample Army

Washington, Aug. War department
recommendation for a system OF uni
versa military training Of three months
for all eligible youths in their nineteenth
year was presented by SecStary Baker
to-day to the Senate and House military
committees for their guidance in deter
mining the permanent military policy of
the nation.
The proposal 10 contained in a bill pre-
pared by the general staff of the army
at the secretary's direction. In trans
hitting the bill Secretary Baker in
letter said that General Pershlng had not
been consulted and the plan was tentative
TO that extent
The departments bill calls for a regu.
lar army of q divisions and necessary
auxiliary services. with peace strength
OF $4,000 enlisted men, and war
strength Of 1,250, 900. The reserves to fill
up the divisions to full strength would
be provided through a modified form of
the selective service act under which the
national army was raised for the war
with Germany.
For training purposes only youths in
their 10Th year would be called to the
coiors Tor a three-month period, to be
attached to regular divisions for that
time. 1t is estimated that this would
provide an annual class of 100000 men to
be given intensive military instruction,
stripped of all vocational or other educa-
tional features
for two years after training the youths
would be required to submit certain re-
ports giving their addresses, changes in
status as to dependents. physical condi-
ton, etc. They would receive for each re.
nd :itb "a h,,
courasing making reports. In the event
Of war all men in this status would be
called to the colors to fill up the regular
divisions and compose the first replace.
ment units
The bill provides for reorganization OF
the regular army in substantially the same
terms as previously recommended by
secretary Baker when the current army
appropriation bill was under considera.
ton.
No mention of the National Guard ie
made in the bill, but in his letter to the
committee chairmen, Secretary Baker said
he assumed that the natioal defense act
would be continued in force. making the
guard subject to liberalization for war.
One feature of the universal train.
ing plan of the department Is com.
plete liberalization of the registra.
tion and induction machinery. Local
and appeal boards would be created
as during the war except that COM
pensation at $40 a day Is provided
for board officials, but no mention is
made of employing State officials or
agencies in carrying out the project.
youths in training would receive no
pay, but would receive payment for
all expenses and an allowance OF IS
a month for incidentals. No exemp.
| tions would be grsnted except to SOL
diers, sailors, members Of the nier.
chant marine, public or private, or &c
| those mentally CT physically deficient.
To meet the case of those with de.
pendents. however. provision is made
| for deferring the training period.
The theory on which the bill rests is
| that an army of l,250,000 should be avail.
! able for rapid mobilization at need. II
provides that the complete organization
| of field army Of that size shall be main.
| tanned the only difference between
peace and wartime footing being in the
enlisted strength. The Goth Infantry and
one cavalry division would comprise that
| field army
| To support the plan. general stan ofh'
GERS have prepared full detailed studies
| of cost, systems of mobilization, admin.
| stration and all other features which
| the department is prepared to submit
! whenever the congressional committees
| call for them.