New-York tribune., 1917-11-23
Economic Demands Must
Give Way to Military
Call, He Declares
Too Free Exemption
Endangers Victory
Provost Marshal Condemns
Idea That Industry Is
Our Chief Weapon

WASHINGTON. Nov. 22.-An army
* the prime necessity for nation at
war Provost Marshal General Crowder
saws in a pamphlet for the enlighten-
ment Of local exemption boards, as to
me theory Of the new draft classitica-
.ions. which was made public here to-
night. The purpose of the selective
draft as applied through the classified
ton Of registrants is to get an army
with as little strain as possible on
national resources, ne says, but the
army must be raised.
"The problem is not to maintain the
labor supply Of agriculture and Of
every industry intact" he says. at is
N make the withdrawal of men in the
mos, scientific manner possible. !
think We have done that and that what
is offered here is the basis for a nice
balance between our two necessities.
! feel that we can 60 no further. There
are those who say that we must win
this war in the economic field with an
inference that the raising Of any army
is a side issue.
81 say to you that with any greater
inroads into the field Of recruitment
OF our army we shall be sending in
ferior men into the field; that if this
nation is not competent TO make the
slight adjustment necessary to com
pensate for this scientific selection,
then IL is not competent TO enter TINS
war.
Army Must Come First
"A vast production in our farms and
factories is necessary. 1t is necessary
in order TO support military operations
on the field of battle. But certainly no
man can urge in this day of trial and
sacrifice that this nation should de-
liberately neglect to make itself etfec-
tive in the field of military operation
on the plea that our greatest contrlou-
ton 10 the cause of humanity is IN
attaining an economic supremacy
Victory, the Provost Marshal General
points out, is the object Of the United
states. The nucleus Of the National
Army was hacked out with broadaXe.
There was no time for more delicate
instrument. The segregation OF the
registrants according to their response
bilities and national value, as accom-
plished by the draft classification, is
the next step. s;
II is the duty of all the draft oft
eisls to remain at their posts at what
ever sacrifice, he declares, in order that
the selective service system may reacn
its highest efficiency and the nation
march 10 war with each man IN his
appointed place. The draft machine,
with its nearly $4,000 local board mem
bers. is a necessity for victory, he says,
"Any break in its ranks he con-
tinues. would be an act Of even greater
harm 20 the nation than accrues when
a soldier abandons his regiment or
sailor his ship. 1t would be as mex
cussble 10 dismiss, disr pit or replace
this organization as to attempt to re-
place or dismiss a division on the held
Of France"
he points out that the great reduc-
ton in the forms which goes with the
sdoption Of the classification system
will make the clerical labor Of the
local boards much lighter, and by re
moving the cause of the bewlldrement
which overwhelmed most registrants
upon their introduction 70 the old sys-
ten render confusion far less likely.
Believes Draft Permanent
The Provost Marshal General makes
IL plain that he regards the selectlVe
draft as a permanent institution IN thls
country.
"The duty OF citizenship has taken
- Fc al 6F II there
has been no hesitation among our peo-
pie in performing that duty" he says.
whether Germany has taught US or
whether We have learned II ourselves,
We know one thing 50 clearly and so
we'll that we will never again nave
doubt Of u. .
"Tbe volunteer method Of raising
an army for war is gone. IL Will never
return The principle Of selection mas
beer tried and proved by our people.
"The principle Of selection is estao-
Hsnsd The system for selection, IN
proved as we can improve II must Dc
come and remain a permanent part OF
our governmental system for war. IL -
link which binds closer our union oI
states and our resulting general gov
ernrrent II is for this reason that say
that Ue are standing not a. the portals
Of past, but rather at the threshold
o. future"
General Crowder intimates that the
training Of youths Of eighteen, nine
teen and twenty may be part OF our
military preparation before it becomes
necessaryto call upon the men who
compose Glass " in the new classif-
cation. The training Of such candi-
dates before the time comes for the
actual calling 70 active service. has
been advised by advocates Of. uni