Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 April 1917 — DRAFT QUESTION UP FOR DEBATE [ARTICLE]

DRAFT QUESTION UP FOR DEBATE

Senate O. K. Assured But Bitter Fight Promised in House —May Reach Vote Wednesday.

Washington, April 22.—The administration’s war army ibnl will be under debate in both houses of congress tomorrow with right of way over all other legislation until passed. Interest centers upon the house, where there is to be a great fight .between spokesmen for President Wilson and the majority of the military committee over the selective draft plan. A vote may be reached on Wednesday. In the senate debate began yesterday and probably will continue for several days, but it is "regarded as a foregone conclusion that the measure, as drawn by the .general staff and approved by the president, will be passed there by a substantial majority. /L , ... Chairman Dent, of the house military committee, and nine other committeemen will make the fight for the bill as reported by them, which proposes that the army shall be raised by calls for volunteers in increments of 500,000, and that the draft shall be resorted to only unless and until that system has failed. . Despite the opposition of Chairman Dent, administration supporters mamtained tonight that they would override his volunteer plan by from 20 to 25 votes at the least.