Evening Republican, Volume 59, Number 79, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 April 1917 — FOES OF DRAFT BILL ARE FIGHTING HARD [ARTICLE]

FOES OF DRAFT BILL ARE FIGHTING HARD

House Stages Hot Talkfest on Bill — Advocates Predict Eventual Passage in the House. Washington, April 23.—With both houses of congress debating the war army bill today, it became more than ever apparent that there is no fight over whether a great army shall be raised, the only question being wthat strength can be mustered by opponents of the administration’s “selective draft plan.”____ ~. ' In the senate passage of the general staff bill, virtually without change, is regarded as certain; on the house ride the president’s supporters also are confident of success, though the contest there will be bitter. Discussion in the senate may continue until Saturday, but the house, under a tentative agreement for eighteen hours of general debate, probably will be ready to vote by Thursday. Most of the speeches in the house were in favor of the administration plans, after Representative Dent, of the military committee, had made an opening statement earnestly supporting the bill as amended by his comittee to authorize calls for volunteers, with provision for applying the draft only if the volunteer system fails. Chairman Chamberlain of the senate committee ’■ said tonight that he might seek unanimous consent on Wednesday for a vote that day or on Thursday. He said he did not now expect to endeavor to use the new colture rule, both because he was not certain he could get the two-thirds necessary to invoke it,and because it might result in more talk than would follow in the normal course. The first speech for straight-out conscription in the house was made by Representative McKenzie, of Illinois. i . , , , “Are we going to rest the burden upon the brave men who are willing to volunteer?” he demanded. “Or are we going to divide the burden among them all and make every man perform his duty to his country ?”