The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-07-26


Melted. Since Friday last, officials
tbruout the country have been busy
compiling the huge lists of those who
come under the selective draft meas
ure. As in other parts of this great
land. SO it is in Somerset county.
Members of the various exemption
boards and those having charge of the
many phases of the draft measure, In
this section, have been hard at work
for nearly week and in so far as
possible everything has been done IN
a correct and business-like manner.
Within a few days each man will know
exactly what is expected of him but
at present there are many who don't
seem to know just how the matter
stands.
In the various towns of Somerset
men and young men have been wear
ting wondering look, look of un-
certainty exemplifying the fact that
they were not sure whether they were
drawn or not. AS matter of fact
every man in the County who regis
tered on June 5, was drawn on July
Goth, therefore those who have been
wondering may rest assured that they
were drawn.
Since last Saturday the Office of
Judge E. F. Danforth, chairman of the
local exemption board, has been
crowded with those eager to find out
how the fates used them. Each man
was given his red letter number and
then came the process of reading the
figures in the daily paper, OF course
every man was able to find his num-
ber and Immediately this individual
concluded that he would soon leave
for France A few days since the
names of many who had been drafted
we're current upon the streets while
as matter of fact no one knew, nor
do they know at this time whether or
not they will be called to service.
In Skowhegan, as in all other
towns and cities, the draft has been
the principal topic of conversation
during the past week Were you
drafted?" was question often asked
and interest became so intense that
traders gave up trying to sell their
goods in order to discuss the draft
with prospective customers. Many
OF those registered were objects of
considerable bantering and not few
premature farewells were heard from
those who really thought they had
been called.
But all who were drawn will not be
taken. In this county 3040 names
we're selected but of this number only
S5 will be taken on the first draft. So
it develops that only small percent
called to service. AS has been ex-
planned by one of the officials, great
per cent of those registered will be
exempt for one reason or another 1t
has been considered a fair average to
say that one of every two will be dis
carded and reckoning on this basis 1t
which the IS will be chosen. Now
the liability of being drafted rests on
the question In what order were you
drawn? If you are among the first
ljO to be drawn then your chances for
being taken are very good provided
you do not claim exemption or have
nc grounds for such claim. If on
the other hand you were number 1000
among those drawn your chances OF
being in the first draft are very small.
1t is understood that the registrants
will be called for examination accord
Ing to the order in which they were
drawn and for this reason those below
the 150 mark would do we'll to do
little back yard training. Those with
200 or above need not worry
Between mouthfuls men and women
In the restaurants and at home dis
cussed the draft and wondered if such
and such a person would be called.
Groups of men stood upon the street
corners and in the shops setting forth
their views on the conscription meas
ure and incidentally planning to use
some scheme to settle the war Friend
passed friend on the streets with no
nod of recognition with minds wrap
ped in the mysteries of the draft.
Newspapers have been selling like
The proverbial 'hot-cakes' and every
where has prevailed a spirit of in
decision. Many upon finding their
number in the columns of our many
dailies still remained skeptical, de-
claring that it was all mistake.
others have been busy scanning the
hsts but have not found their num-
bers and so it is that a feeling of
doubt prevails.
As before stated it depends upon
the order in which the registrant is
drawn whether or not he is taken In
order to enlighten the readers of this
paper the Reporter has compiled a
uSt pf fok ha d..