Norwich bulletin., 1917-07-26
PREPARATIONS FOR ACTUAL MOBILIZATION IS PROGRESSING
LOCAL BOARDS DUTY
They Select From Registered Men Those Qualified for Military Service The Entire Force Will be Ready When Sixteen Cantonments Are Ready Early in Sept-Provost Mar shaI General Then in Command.

Washington, July 25-Preparations for actual mobilization of t-s. national army went ahead here today, whii the focal selection boards in many parts of the country began summoning for examination the men who win com pose the force.
 There are numerous details to be worked out before those summoned can be actually transferred to the military establishments and be sent to their training cantonments. It is believed now, however, that a considerable number will have been finally selected and will be awaiting the call to the colors before August l. The entire force will be ready, with the exception probably of a few disputed cases, by the time the sixteen cantonments are ready early in September.
 Local Boards Select
 Provost Marshal l-GeneraI Crowder, under whose Jurisdiction the selective draft men will remain until they are transferred to the books of the adju- tant general as soldiers, pointed out today that the local boards actually are selection, not exemption boards. Their primary purpose, he said, was to select from registered men those qualified for military service. The men they turn away after examina ton will be rejected rather than exempted, because of physical disability or de- pendents.
 Tho exemption boards proper are the district boards, which have DOW CT to say whether the work a man is doing a home will be more import ant to the government than his ser vices as soldier.
 Name Fits the Board.
 InformatiIl reaching Washington indicates that the selection boards are taking the view of their work that makes that name fitting for them. l1o Ifmy in the shortest possible time. When they certify any man to the higher boards as held for servicS the man becomes a soldier and subject to soldier law. It Mill be the duty of the provost marshal general fom that time On to see that he complies with all army orders affecting him, and also to turnn him over to the army authori- ties when he is called to the colors.
 Quotas Ready For Call.
 The quotas rom the various dis tricts probably will be assembled first the call comes. Whether they will be turned over to an army officer there and taken to their cantonment or whether one Of their number will be placed in charge to conduct them to the cantonment has not been decid- ed.
 Assignment of Men.
 Their distribution among the six teen cantonments, General CrowGer said today. would be governed by two rules-hrst, the section of the law re- quiring that they be assigned. far as practicable, to duty with the troops from their own state, and secondly, the loca ton of the nearest cantonment to reduce the transportation problem as much as possible.
 No Second Draft, Yet.
 No information has reached General Crowder indicating that there will be any need to summon a second draft during the present year.
 Estimates to cover expenses of second increment have been submit ted. 1t was pointed out, because all these expenditures must be made in advance of a call to have equipment and quarters ready, for the fupds must be actually on hand when the call is made.
 Men Of military age employed as clerks by the navy department are not exempt from liability under the selective draft, according to orders from Washington which were received at the Boston navy yard today. AL though all the men affected locally registered it was understood Is, at some regarded their positions as pro- tected from the operation of the draft