Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 145, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 July 1917 — NUMBERS NOT YET CHOSEN [ARTICLE]

NUMBERS NOT YET CHOSEN

RUMORS THAT SELECTIONS ARE BEING MADE ARE WITHOUT FOUNDATION. Rumors to the effect that the government had started the work of selecting men for the first draft were current throughout the United States Thursday. There was no foundation for the rumor for the government has not yet_£ompleted the task of renumbering/ the registration cards. is supposed to have originated in Peru, 111., on July 4th, by someone looking for excitement. The rumor was snapped up quickly by all who heard it and practically every county in the United States had heard it by Thursday noon. The date for the first draft is to be set today by the war department. Arrangements for the next step toward mobilization of the national army—the exercise of the selection for draft—were taken up Thursday evening at a conference between Secretary Baker and Provost Marshall General Crowder. Mr. Baker has stated that he has not as yet made any announcement as to the date of the first drawing. It has been announced that the drawing will be held in Washington and it is expected a statement covering the method to be followed will be made yet this week. Organization of the local and district exemption board,- the arrangements as to the registration lists in serial numbers and other preliminary work must be completed before the selection machinery can be set in motion.

A statement to the public information committee says this may be done by Saturday, though there is no certainty about it. Reports fcurrent that selection had already been made probably arose from the fact that many boards have numbered their registration cards and in some cases, probably, are already publishing the list as required by regulations. The last district will have to complete this work, however, before selection can begin, as the. administration is determined to leave no loophole for juggling of the serial numbers. It is for this reason that public posting of the lists and the filing of duplicate copies with the provost marshal general has been required in advance of selection. The care with which the numbering of the registration cardsi is being carried out makes it certain'that the drawing will be based entirely upon the numbers. No names will be involved in the actual process of selection which will closely approximate, it is understood, the jury wheel system.