Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-06-09
MANY CLAIM EXEMPTION
Virginia Registration Cards Show
Large Majority Assert Reasons
for Being Omitted.

Seven out of every ten men in Vir-
ginia enrolled under the selectlve
draft act feel that they can be OF
more service to their country at
home. At least figures compiled IN
the office of Governor Henry c.
Stuart show that only 80 per cent
of those registered on Tuesday did
not claim exemptions.
That the claim of exemption is Sc
heavy will react on many persons, as
it viii cause particularly strict in
yest!gatiou when individual cases
come up for consideration when the
drafts are made. Unless man can
show that those who are claimed as
dependents are solely dependent up
On him, he stands little chance of
being excused from military service.
This includes young married men
without children. The claim of .ex-
emption on the grounds that the re-
gistrant is supporting his father or
mother is going to be taken with
more than a grain of salt.
There will be no class exemptions,
the officials taking up each case as it
occurs. That there will be prosecu-
tions for false registration in event
that it is proved that registrants have
not told the truth in claiming en-
emption, has been indicated. Wealthy
men claiming exemption as farmers
or students claiming to be the sole
support of parents will fearn that
Uncle Sam does not appreciate even
little jokes.
A dispatch from Richmond says the
total registration for Virginia is not
vet determined. as nine counties and
two cities have not reported yet.
Richmond and Alexandria are the
cities that are so far behind the
schedule
(The official figures for Alexan-
dria were printed in yesterdays
Gazette. They show that l,37o men
registered in this city on Tuesday.
OF this number 9s9 were white, $40
coIored and 25 alens.)
The counties not reporting are scat
tered throughout the State.
Virginia is running behind the estl-
mate made by the War Department
due primarily to the huge mistake in
REGARD to the number; of men OIL:
military.age in Prince George Coun- !;
tv, including Hopewell.. The War i
Department was more than 29,ooo !;
cut of the way in its estimate, un-
less the men just failed to obey ltne
law. This is not considered probable
hv State officials, however, as Clerk
Temple. of Prince George County, sat
for ten days within the big Du FONT +:
plant to sign the registration cardS :
of nonresidents.
The total registration at O'Clock
,ast night was l50'914. The number
estimated previously by the war
Department from. the. counties ana
cities reported, 17s,7OO. Shortage
from the War Department estlmate
is about 26,000, -,
Richmond, June 9.--Only Kichmon''
Of all, the cities. apd counties OF gir-
pinia, has fa lied. to >report, on the
registration last Tuesday for 'ttne
armv draft. Official, figures from
Richmond will be presented today,
it is expected, and fall report WIZ
be made before night to the war
Department. :, ~,
The table of those who registered
was complete yesterday morning
with the exception of figures from
two cities and nine counties. The
other delinquent city, Alexandria re-
ported Yesterday. as did all Of the
counties. Richmond. had an une%-
pectedly large registration, and. the
task of, counting and classifying the
thousands of young men who turned
in their names was more tedious than
4oI