Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 April 1917 — THE DRAFT BILL [ARTICLE]

THE DRAFT BILL

Here is what will happen when the" draft bill, pow before congress, becomes a law: ' 1. The President will designate by proclamation a day of registration, the voting precinct being used as the smallest unit for enrollment. The governors of the various states will be asked to have the sheriffs

of the counties appoint registers to take the names of all males between the ages of nineteen and twenty-five.’ Those who refuse to enroll will be arrested. 2. The state oflicers will exempt from military service “persons engaged in industries, including agricultural, found to be neces-. sary to the maintenance of the military establishment or the effective operation of the military forces, or the maintenance "of national im terests during' the emergency.’’ 3. not exempted will be reported to the war ’ department, which will make further exemptions. 4. It is estimated that by August 1 the 500,000 men desired will be in training camps. In the meantime the government must provide equipment for the recruits. 5. It estimated that the registration will result in an enrollment of 7,000,000, and about 40 per cent of this number will be weeded out on account of physical disabilities. Tlje 500»000 to be selected from the remaining 60 per cent will be chosen by lot.

Congressman Will R. Wood is receiving no end of criticism from Republican papers over the' district for his stand against selective conscription in this hour of the nation’s need. . There is perhaps not a Republican in the district that has not taken,a fling at Wood. The Rensselaer Republican recently published an article concerning the congressman’s stand, and among other things said: "Mr. Wood is entirely out of harmony with his consfitutency and, we feel, Out of harmony with the great necessity of the hour.”