The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-04-25
sELECTIVE DRAFT.

President Wilson letter to Repre-
sentative delivering of Kansas puts IN
To few words the whole pith Of the
Selectiye draft plan for raising the
great armies We need besides the regu-
lar establishment and the national
guard. /
Tho basic idea is that universally OF
responsibility. Every citizen of the
United States owes his services to the
United states. 1t is a direct and personal
obligation. II is unlimited. 1t is not
transferable. It is not a matter of pa
triotir sentiment, but of fundamental
duty.
This duty may bc performed, how
ever, ian a variety Of ways, as the Man
chester Union points out. The thorough
Inv trained farmer, an expert in food
production, possessing a farm ON which
Inc is raising more foodstutis than could
he raised by a novice, can do nothing
Ibettcr than TO devote himself to his
usual business. The war call is to him
a call To- increase bis acreage, improve
hi, methods if possible, effect what
economies of labor he can, and do his
utmost 10 grow and market the biggest
wears output his land has ever pro
i duccd. The skilled chemist, or electrl-
elan. or construction expert, or organ
izcr. may bc Of far greater use to the
nation by remaining on his job or go
inc into the government service in the
rapacitv for which he is fitted by edu-
lcation or practical training, than by
volunteering Tor military or naval serv-
lee. That he and his valuable services
are not only at the disposal OF the
govcrnmcnt, but are actually at work
foi. thcfuation is the thing desired.
The Volunteer system of getting an
army always did, and always will, take
these useful men from their most useful
field Of service They are the sort OF
men who voluntecr-progressiv ener
uctic. yiriic men. That is the kind OF
men wanted in the army, too, but not
when they have reached a point where
their technical equipment qualities then
For greater usefulness behind than II
the fighting line.
| There remains the great mass OF mel
| of military age. Every one of them i
| personally bound by the fact of his eiti
| zcnship to military service, if tha
| service is required Some will be cage
10 serve. MANY would not 20 into tn
| army as matter of choice, but ar
| willing to do what is required of them
| Then there are the reluctant, the timid
| and last and lowest the physical am
moral towards. To all of them there
one message, for all of them there /
- one law The administration and wa
!, department plan for creating an arm,
big enough to act as genuine force i
the world war provides method where
1 by the government comes to thes
| young men in the spirit of justice am
chooses by lot who are to be Gale
first. Then, as more are wanted,
/ comes again.
E II Is fair. scientific, expeditions. Th
method insurcs the maintenance of tn
1 productive industries. 1t insures tn
I moblizing Of special capabilities TO
| special uses. II insures the creation 0
l an army with the least possible loss o
l time and waste of energy. And
| brings home to every citizen a sense Q
| his personal responsibility to serve.
1 To many it will appear that there
| defect in the plan in that by til
| draft process an unwilling man may b
y taken while willing one Is left. Ther