Norwich bulletin., 1917-07-18

Washington, July 17.-An but seven Of the stc&es had reported completion of their local exemption machinery to- night, encouraging officials in their hope that drawing of lots to determine the order of liability under the selec- tive conscription law may be held be- fore the end of the week. Four states reported ready during the day, and the war department has been informed that in those remaining to report only a few local districts are missing.
 Although no details have been re- vealed. it was learned tonight that the plan of the drawing to be held in Sec retary Bakers office virtually has been completed, and that an announcement on the subject may be made by Pro- vost l-General Crowder tomor- row Secretary Bakers final approv- al for the plan is yet to be given but General Crowder may reveal enough of the details to guide newspapers in preparing to publish the result and to inform registrants what facts they must ascertain in order to know their exact position on the liability lists
 forward, sentiment apparently is growing in congress in favor of amending the conscription acc so as to make aliens liable for service or oth- erwise to relieve the requirements placed under the present allotment up on communities with large foreign population. Bills to this end have been prepared in both senate and house, but the administration has not indicated that it will favor any change. Many officials hold to the opinion on the other hand that to compel aliens to serve would be a vii olation of international law
 The states from which reports of complete eXeDI ton arrangements were received during the day are Utah. Alabama. Ohio and Virginia. Re ports still are to come from Illinois. Kentucky. Michigan, Mississippi, New Missouri
 Drawing Details
 Detailed plans of the drawing itself remain to be finally approved by Sec retary Baker. A rehearsal of the process recommended was held some days ago in order to determine the amount of time necessary and to de- velop any weak spots in the scheme. hut pending it's approval no details will be revealed There are indica- tions that a more complex arrange ment than has yet been outlined pub liclv will be employed in the drawing in the interest of perfect fairness.
 Information For Registrants.
 As far as can be told now, every reEistrant will have to be informed not only of the serial number placed on his card, by the local exemption board, but also of the exact number of registrants in his district. Other wise he will be unable to know until he is ordered before the board what his order of liability is.
 How to Pick Winner.
 Given his own number and the total number of registrants in his district any registrant can figure out quickly what place he occupies in the line S soon as the results of the lottery are announced. If there are 1,500 regis tered men, every serial number above that will represent a blank in that district when 1t Is drawn and the TO- tation numbers of the drawing will pass over them. Thus, if No 142S should be drawn first, No. 1889 sec ond and No. 1247 third, the order of liability in a 1,500 district would be No. 142S first and No. 1,247 second.
 Allotment of Quotas.
 While officials of the provost mar shaFs office refused today to discuss quotas, made yesterday in the sen ate, 1t was pointed out again that the revised population estimates of the census bureau upon which the allot- ment was made, were based wholly on the actual showing at the registration. Under the law, the bureau had to con- slider the luctuation of population since 1910, the last census, and the war department had to count in aliens in making allotments, even though they are exempt from service.
 Figures Fixed for Draft
 Reconsideration of population esti- mates in the light of registration re- turns showed that on the average g | 3-10 per cent of the total population | were within the age limits of the draft | bill. Tn large comm ercia1 and fndust- rial centers, however, the percentage | ran above that figure because of the | influx of young men. A case in point | Is Detroit, where with an actual pop | ulation of probably less than million | the proportion of registrants indicated 1 a population of 1891 900. using the | rule tablished. This was due to the l automobile and other plants in that l region which have called many young | men from the country to work. Tn its | revised estimate the bureau fixed De- trc;-'= popula tion at the inflated fig | ure for the purposes of the draft only.
 Aliens Cause the Burden.
 Officials believe that in the main, | thi~ rll1 was fair, but they realize l sorne inequalities may result because or the large alien population in some | se|-ions All aliens of draft age were required to register and their number f. ured n the allotment basis, but un- le-- the law is changed they must be | e. npted from service. That will put | a unequal burden on citizen regis tra-ts in the communities of large for | eigu population.
 Defects May be Remedied.
 Two plans have been suggested for this inequality-re- -apportionment of quotas with the alien registrants left