Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 73, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 April 1917 — OPPOSITION TO DRAFT BILL IS SEEN [ARTICLE]

OPPOSITION TO DRAFT BILL IS SEEN

Majority of Committeemen Favor Provision For Volunteers—Administration Backs Draft. Washington, April 16.—Tentative votes in the house military committee today disclosed a majority in favor of making some provision for volunteers in the army plans which, as drawn by the general staff and approved by President Wilson, are based entirely upon the selective draft system. Two members of the committee were absent, and the question of preparing & substitute for the administration plan will be passed upon finally tomorrow. Various methods of raising and organizing the great fighting force for which tiie president asks have been advanced by members opposing immediate application of the draft, ranging from a proposal to eliminate the draft provision entirely to Chairman Dent’s scheme to authorize a call for 500,000 volunteers and authorize the president to resort to. the draft if the volunteers do not come forward in a reasonable time. The administration is standing squarely upon the general staff’s Unanimous opinion that the volunteer system can have no place, beyond the enlistments in the regulars or national guard, in the raising and training of the army needed. Apparently confidence still prevails that eventually both iiodses will accept the staff bill. The senate military committee spent today hearing an explanation of the staff measure from Secretary Baker and Adjutant General Crowder. Chairman Chamberlain said tonight he hoped to conclude woik in committee on the bill tomorrow and despite opposition shown to the draft feature he was hopeful it would be approved and reported to the senate in time to follow on the floor the $7,000,000,000 revenue bill which probably will be passed tomorrow night. ;