The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-10-28

Pensacola High School, ana Is oHeIeu
for what it worth.
THE DRAFT SYSTEM
OF THE UNITED STATES
(Contributed)
This system, once very unpopular
and obnoxious means of bringing men
into the service Of their country, IL
fast becoming the most popular way
of raising a National Army-People
are learning to look upon the drafted
men, not as slackers forced to do
their duty, but as honored citizens,
the very best mentally, morally and
physically, chosen to defend their
land from invasion. The selective
draft simply means-the selection OF
men. best fitted to serve their coun-
try, placed in the positions they are
most capable of filling. For instance,
man who is an expert machinist,
is placed, not in the bakers section
of the Army, for which vocation he
probably has no fitness whatsoever,
but in the engine room of battleship
where he understands his business
thoroughly. Or take the example of
a man who is fine shot and athlete,
who is put in the Ambulance Corps.
There his talents are entirely wasted.
The Selective Draft, as now in force,
does away with all of this misfitting.
/ 1t secures the men to the places they
are best fitted to serve.
The United States has taken its ex-
ample from England, which found the
Selective Draft a most successful
method of procuring more soldiers.
the volunteer system having utterly
failed in both countries. While there
has been some opposition to the pres
ent ideal system, this same dissatis-
faction IS traceable to the influence of
nyphenated citizens, the use of Ger
man money in the United States. and
/ the Industrial Workers of the World.
+ The most serious opposition oc-
| Cured in the State of Oklahoma,
I where the latter organization had en-
listed. considerable following, to OPP
pose, with German money, the draft
as executed by Government officials.
This opposition was quickly over
come by prompt action of the United
States authorities. The great body
of American citizenship, however. has
been splendidly loyal and responded
to their country's call nobly. The
Army and Navy have been increased
II under the first draft to something
around one million men, who are now
being trained in some thirty-six en-
: efRpments throughout the Union.
his efficient method of quickly
ing and discipling a great army
O. billions of men is best understood
and appreciated when we contrast the
sooth workings of the present law
with that of 1868. The United States
Congress at that time passed a Con-
! script law, authorizing the President
to recruit the army by draft sys-
tenn. History tells US that when that
lay was attempted to be put in opera
ton in New York State, the worst
riot in the history of our country re-
suited, and for four days in July, New
| DIRK City was under a temporary
reign of terror. Numerous casualties
and terrible destruction followed. to
the detrlment of governmental plans.
One reason for the favorable recep-
ton of the present law by the people
can be traced, think, to the campaign
OF publicity which was carried on
through the press of America, by the
leaders of thought in our country. In
this way, the peoples patriotism was
aroused to the need of doing some
thing for their country and to the
putting of the country in a State of
Preparedness.
A second reason for the law peing
so favorably received, is found in the
great public addresses and writings
of President Wilson himself, who so
| ably presented the question to the
American people at the psychological
moment.
Nothing could be fairer or more
equal than the manner in which the
drawings of the draft are conducted
There is no chance for corruption OF
favoritism of any kind. A Federal
BOARD of especially appointed men al
Washington draws the numbers
I which correspond to list of mum.
bers held by each county Of every
state in the Union. The men holdina
these numbers, which were given at
the time of registration, are re-
quired to report for examination i'm
mediately. Those unfit for active
service and those having sufficient
exemption claims are discharged. The
| government wants no helpless fami-
lies left without support, if possible
to prevent it. Thus the burden falls
| where it should, on the Independent,
youth of America.