The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-07-18
Bills Pending and Others To Be
Introduced in Congress.
Revised Population Estimates
81 Fail to Satisfy Many.
POLLS PADDED is CHARGED
Lot Drawing Probably Within
Two Days, Predicted.
Training All Guards in South
Camps Is Under Fire.

Washington, July 1S.-Attacks upon
the war departments policy of train
ing national guardsmen in southern
camps and the method of compiling
the army draft quota estimates, con-
tinued today in the senate. Senator
Lodge said the estimate method was
"simply preposterous," and created
the opinion that the rolls have been
padded" He wanted to know why it
was that the national guard from
New England is to be sent to southern
training camps. while the army to be
raised by CONSUMPTION is to be trained
In Central Massachusetts,.
& Senators La Toilette and Watson
also voiced opposition to sending
northern troops to southern camps.
Senator Watson expressed the belief
that there was something back of the
plan other than military reasons.
Senator, Knox said he had received
Information that the camp at Platts-
burg was to be broken up and trans
ferred to a site at Atlanta, Ga. Sena-
tor Wadsworth correlated this report
and characterized the policy as in
consistent" He said the camp at
Piattsburg. which represents an in
Nestment by the government of $780,
900. was to be abandoned the middle
of August, altho the climate around
Plattsburg in the fall is ideal and
training could continue there as we'll
ms in the south.
Lot Drawing Soon.
Washington. July Is. Picking
Americas first big national army by
lot will be started within ffty-six
hours. according to indications today.
Either the great reception room off
Secretary Bakers office or one of the
historic chambers of congress will be
the scene. Everything is ready for
the human lottery-eXcept few
dallying registration districts. The
little capsules with the fated numbers
are slowed safely in the war depart
ment. while regulations governing the
drawing of these master numbers are
In the government printers hands to-
day. These rules will be announced
thru the press before the drawing.
An air of mystery has been thrown
about the lottery. Officials refuse to
he specific as to just how and when
did say the draft will occur just as
soon as the last lingering red ink
draft numbers are tabuIated. One au-
thority said that this might occur
within two hours after the last gov
ernor had declared the numbers were
interpretive of the time of day.
Add Complication to System.
The house and senate military COM
mittees have been chosen official wit
nesses and Secretary Baker may draw
the first capsule. Secretary Baker.
Chief of Staff Bliss, Quartermaster
General Sharpe and others have arriv-
ed for a conference on final details.
In general the order in which the
master numbers are drawn here will
indicate the order of liability for serv-
ice, tho owing TO varying registrations
in different districts the numbers will
be divided into some group form.
making the system more complicated
than at first anticipated.
Almost Immediately after the lot
terry. local exemption boards will sum-
mon men for physical tests. Every
man summoned must take this test,
whether or not he intends to make
an exemption claim. Heavy penalties
attach to failure to appear.
Federal authorities have not over
looked possibility of draft troubles in
New York and other big cities and are
prepared to deal summary with any
outbreaks.
- Onpsiinn of IRA finn. Allan.