Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 74, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 April 1917 — WILSON ASKS FOR SPEEDY ACTION [ARTICLE]

WILSON ASKS FOR SPEEDY ACTION

On Draft Bill—Becomes Angry When Measure is Opposed By Members • of Housp Committee. Washington, April 17.—Determined efforts to hasten action in congress on the administration’s war army bill with its selective draft provision were begun today by President Wilson and Secretary Baker. They take the position that further delay will endanger the war plans against Germany. The president discussed the situation at length with Chairman Dent, of the house military committee, and later called in Representatives Mann and Lenroot, the republican leaders of the house. Secretary Baker appeared twice before the house military committee, the second time at a night session. Opposition to the draft principle, particularly among house democrats, was taken up at the cabinet meeting and afterwards it was indicated that the full influence of the administration would be concentrated on the passage of the arrily measure. Opposition to the draft principle, particularly among house democrats, was taken up at the cabinet meeting and afterward it was indicated that the full influence of the administration would be concentrated on the passage of the army measure. The president is understood to be determined upon forcing opponents of the general staff’s plan out into the open, so that the country will have an opportunity of judging whether they are in the right. Arguments of the opponents of selective draft based on the idea that the new army should be raised by a call for volunteers, are met in official quarters by directing attention to the fact that the present plans of the war-department allow-for more han 700,000 volunteers, enlisted for the term of the war. Representative Dent, who is an opponent of conscription, went to the white" tiouse on his own initiative to tell of opposition to the staff bill. He found the president, fixed in his position. Afterwards Representatives Lenroot and Mann were called in so Mr. Wilson migth learn the position of the republicans. They remained at the white house for an hour and while they said no poll had been taken and they were not in a position to state how their colleagues would vote, they assured the president that the republicans would show no partisan spirit in considering the legislation. ' The senate committee voted favorably today on the selective draft feature and will report the hill tomorrow with that feature retained. There was no roll call, but three senators were said to have been opposed to this feature. Two others opposed to the draft were absent. , An opportunity will be given the proponents of the volunteer system to vote on it in committee obi an amendment by Senator McKeller, authorizing the president to call for 500,000 volunteers. This does not change the language of the bill nor effect the selective draft feature, but if adopted it would be in addition to the bill as it came from the war department.