Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 August 1917 — DRAFTED MEN TO REPORT SEPT. I [ARTICLE]

DRAFTED MEN TO REPORT SEPT. I

Rules for Mobilization Plans in Charge of Local Boards. DETAILS OF CALL GIVEN For Examination Before Ruling on Exemption Claims —These Exam* inations August 10 and 17. CROWDER ASKS GODSPEED FORB DRAFTED MEN. <Q Washington, Aug. 10.—A request! from Provost Marshal General Crowder, the man in charge of the draft, to the American people: “On September 1 the first quota of tha national army will be called Into service. These men are going forth to fight! for their country. Each community from.which they volunteer should show In a fitting manner Its appreciation of their patriotic service and sacrifices. “I suggest that patriotic observances mark the day. I ask that the saloons be closed. And will the fellow citizens of the volunteers go with them to tha stations and wish them Godspeed?”

Washington, Aug. 10.—Revised regulations to govern physical examination of men registered under the selective draft were issued by Surgeon Genral Gorges of the army and communi-cated-to the governors of the states for Information of. local boards. The changes deal for tin* most part wltlx, questions of proportionate weight and may result in the recall of some men rejected heretofore on physical grounds. \ Boards In Charge of Men. Local exemption boards will be in full charge of assembling the men called to the colors September 1. They will give the new fighting force its actual Induction into military life, provide the men with meals, shelter and transportation, and escort them personally to the train for the mobilization camps. The civilian control of the men will ccHitlnue up to the time they march through, the gates of the cantonments and report to the commandants. Explicit regulations under which the first segment of the national army will be mobilized were Issued by Provost Marshal General Crowder at Washington. They came on the heels of a series <»f rulings cutting down the physical requirements and urging the boards to be circumspect to the last degree in granting exemption on account of dependents. In some districts as high as 80 per cent of the men called for exainlnation are filing claims for discharge on the ground of dependent relatives.

Indication of Shirkers. The war department says this indicates that, shirkers are taking unfair advantage of the regulations and that It actually threatens to Interfere seriously with the raising of the national army. General Crowder’s latest direction to boards is: * “Reduce discharges for dependency to a far more restricted class and clearly defined circumstances.” General Crowder’s message, ‘which was telegraphed the all states for distribution to local boards, says all registered men are Imperiled by the Improper claims that have been filed. It puts it emphatlcally.rup to the local boards to serve as a barrier and to choke off all false and exaggerated claims. The new regulations grant an underweight allowance of from five to six pounds for men between sixty-four and sixty-seven inches in height, seven to nine pounds between sixty-seven and sixty-nine Inches, pine to ten pounds between seventy ami seventy-four inches, and twelve pounds above sev-ntv-five inches. Tire effect of the ,tk -

.•triictions, is to reduce the normal weight requirements for tall men. 'Details of Program. The details of the program for mobilizing the first 230,(1 I) men cal led to the colors September 1 and forwarded to their < - mips before September 5 are as follows: ' The actual call will go from the prov- st marshal general to the state adjutant general, stating the number of men to be supplied. Each local t«>ar<i will be at once informed of how men it must furnish and the ailjutant g.-neral will fix the day for entraining the men. The local board at Once will make out the list of men to fill the call from the roll of accepted men. and will fix the place of entrainment and dime of departure.

Orders to the men will be posted and also sent by mail., The men will be directed to report to the local board at its headquarters not less than 12 hours nor more than 24 hours before the time of departure for camp. From the time specified for reporting to the local board for military duty each man called to the colors “shall be in the military service of the United States." Plans Up to Boards. Before the men arrive at bog rd headquarters the board members must arrange for their accommodation, find clean and sanitary sleeping places at hotels and lodging-houses, arrange for their meals, and provide lodging and meal tickets to be taken in payment and be redeemed for cash later by a government disbursing officer. In its discretion a board may give the men permission to remain at their homes. At board headquarters at the hour fixed for reporting the men will be drawn up. the n>H called ami agents will take them personally to their quarters. remaining with them until every arrangement for their comfort has been made. Emphatic- notice is given that the quality of food shttll be good, and the board is held liable for seeing that meals are adequate. Retreat roll call at the board headquarters. set for 5:30 p. m on the day of reporting to the board, will be the first military ceremonj* the selected men pass through. The board members are directed to be present in person and to Inform the men of their military status, impressing on them the fact that disobedience of orders is the gravest military crime. : y The light hagd baggage. Containing toilet articles and a change of underclothing. which the men are permitted to take with them to camp, will be inspected by the board, and the lists of men sent forward made out and copies of original registration cards prepared.