Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-10-18

strictly on the selective basis. has been
worked out tentatively by the provost
marshal generals Office and discussed
with the President.
To Civilian Conference
The plan. Il was learned today, was
submitted recently TO a conference OF
civilians who directed Exemption
Board activities in a number Of states
and received the endorsement Of most
Of them. who are now discussing the
proposed plan with their state COVER
nora
II 70 proposed to formulate in each
local draft district a table OF all reg
istrants. placing each in a column de-
noting his dependents and industrial
aiu in the wars prosecution. For IN
stance horizontal columns Of classifi-
cation will depend on dependency. Men
With no dependents will be placed IN
the rrst class, those with dependent
distant relatives in the second class,
those with wives in the third class.
those With a wife and one child in the
fourth class and so on.
A. War Necessities
Similarly the vertical columns might
FeDTEEeUf IPTIdiH lFo
according 10 their respective merit as
war necessities. Industrial classes un-
der consideration in this condition are
farmers, shipyard employees, munition
workers. railway and transportation
employees. mines. steel plant and mo-
tor industry workmen, and certain
other Individual plants or industrial
branches 10 be designated from time
20 time by tire President or the war
department as temporarily essential.
The latter classification might In
clude plants making military cloth
ing, harness. first aid materials, or
professions such as chemists and oth-
or scientific men more needed for war
research than TO carry arms.
Thus the table with horizontal depen-
deney olassincatlons and vertical indus
trial classihcations would hold a place
for zach registrant IN accordance with MS
dspendency or Industrial value claims. In
ssleeting men for examination, boards
.ould first take physically Mt having
neither dependents nor value In essential
war Industries, When this class was ex-
hauste ed, draft authorities would draw on
the classes having he slightest depen-
seucy claims and the least value In essen
,ial Industries. theoretically the dratt
would work down through the table TO
IN. classes with most dependents and
highest Industrial value.
No class would be exempted as SUCH
bu, the bic men would be placed SC
that they would not be called until the
need for service became more urgent ano
all the less essential classes were ex-
hausted
The plan involves a determination oE
the government of what Industries are
m. nos, valuable and this is giving ON
r,als considerable difficulty. Farmers or
ranizations shipping board oficials ana
chin builders. munition makers railroad
heads. coal operators and many others
az. Insisting on the prime importance OF
their o~n employees IN civil work.
Seen Made Public
II IA understood the entire program Will
he made known as soon as 1t Is com
ols,ed and approved by President Wilson
20 aIlay the anxiety prevailing through
MANY industries over the next draft Be
fore the new plan was proposed the mex
araf, was planned for as early as De-
esmber. bu, it now may be delayed.
committee 81 ortcers in the provost
marshal generals Once is at work on the
echnicalittes OF the plan which has beer
outlined only In a general way TO secre'
,sry Bake and the President. The com
rri,,es which 10 advisory 10 Cen. Crow
der 10 also IN communication with civilian
draft board members who have given
special study TO the imperfections and IN
Qualities Of the first draft operation.
The proposed plan would meet President
wilsoa's objection to class exemptions
On the other hand. IL II claimed II would
successfully prevent drafting men into
the army who are needed more essential
" IN the industries or agriculture. and
would avoid mistakes Of Great Britain
early In the war when coal mines and
industries were depleted Of skilled
workers for the sake ~ swelling the first
expedi,ionary force. II also would Civ
zach man q more or less definite place ir
the liability list and act his mind at rest
AZ 20 when he might be summoned FOL
service.
The scheme contemplates immediate ex
animation OF. all men registered. but thi.
course depends on an appropriation whicf
cannot b obtained until Congress con
venes In December. Advocates Of thu
rlan pcint out. howsver.athat II might b
mt into operation for a sinsie ineremen.