Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-26

Close on the heels of the declaration
in Geneva that the United States will
not insist on limitation of military re-
serves, nor the elimination of conscrip-
ton, in any disarmament plan which
may develop, comes the proposal from
our Secretary Of War. James w. Good.
that the principle of consumption be
enacted into law in TINS country. Sec
rotary Good has had q bill to that pur-
pose drafted and sent to Congress,
where the chairman Of the House COM
mittee on military affairs has intro
duced it.
Since the military committee is not
functioning during the special session Of
Congress, the Congress and the country
will have plenty of time to study Secre-
tary Goods proposed draft act and TO
compare it with other proposals along
the same line. It cannot be acted on
until the regular session of Congress
next Winter, unless some change takes
place in the plans Of the special session.
Just at present the members of Con-
gress are thinking more about the COM
ing hot weather and plans to avoid
sweltering in lengthy sessions through
the Summer than about taking up new
legislation; but Secretary Good has pre-
sented his bill with an accompanying
letter and 1t is possible that the Depart
I11ent Of War thinks our policy on this
question might well be settled before
we get too far into international discus
sions. It Is also possible that the De-
partment Of War has been waiting to
present draft legislation until after the
preliminary disarmament conference at
Geneva, 50 that we could make our posi-
ton plain there without seeming to be
limited in our choice about CONSUMPTION
by any domestic policy.
The selective service law now pro-
posed by the Secretary of War should
not be confused with the universal
draft act proposed by the American
Legion to each session Of Congress since
the war, but never yet adopted in any
form. The universal draft proposal
deals with conscription of men, money
and materials. including men and ma
terials for use at home as well As
In the field In war time. The present
proposal Of the Department Of War
deals essentially with CONSUMPTION of
manpower, are-enactment Of the pr1nci-
Piles Of selective service employed In
the World War, to make this power
available to the Government immedi-
ately following 0 declaration Of war.
There has been general agreement
by every one concerned since the World
War that the United States ought to
have O permanent law on the statutes
which would expedite mobilization in
case OF another war. We should never
again have to wait for acts of Congress
to enable the President and the military
branches Of the Government to make
q quick start at securing men and sup
plies. Like 50 many things which ev-
cry one agrees ought to be done. nobody
has been able to get It done, or to
write bill which Congress would
accept.
Taking the Proht Out Of War.
The former soldiers, through the
~ for universal draft law, one which
would draft money and material and
labor. as well as fighting men. The
purpose Of their proposal has been two
fold, to keep the Nation In q better
state Of preparedness and to take the
profit out Of war. This idea Of con-
scription Of everything needed in war,
a pooling Of all the Nation possesses
In life and wealth, sounds like fair
and just idea, with profiteering elm
mated, slow methods and bargaining
done away with, and evenhanded JUS
tice prevailing among men and toward
business 1t Is an ideal. but one Of
which the accomplishment in detail is
80 involved that Congress has 90 far
been unable to see its way clear TO
last year or 90 even the Legion has
admitted that Its original proposal on
the subject was not sufnciently con-
else and clear to be safely made into
law, and has agreed with many men,
bers Of Congress that q special con-
rressional committee ought to be
named and given one. two or more