The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-07-21
EXAMS AND ExEMPTS

the outcome of the drawing, officials
declaring it an accomplishment
cessful registration carried out six
weeks ago. Ten million men, they
pointed out, had been assigned places
on the nations muster roll within the
space of less than a day and appar-
emily with only one minor error in
the whole complicated process.
The single error came to light near
the end of the drawing this morning,
when a blank was found where there
should have been a number in one of
the 10000 capsules by which the war
time fortunes of Americas youth
were determined. It did not material
ly interfere with the working out of
the lottery, however. and all officials
agreed that it could work no injustice
to any registrant.
Just before noon Provost Marshal
General Crowder announced he had
located the one missing number in
yesterdays drawing-and with this,
Americas great lottery passed into
history.
Where and how the missing number
was located was not disclosed. And
Crowder said he could not recollect
what the missing number was.
With its location. however, every
one went to bed and what names hid
den in the vagrant pellet will not be
determined until the officials awaken.
The department of justice is delving
into every question touching upon the
appointment and work of exemption
boards to see that absolutely no
charge of illegality may be brought
up against the draft
Some of the boards are getting rest
less for money. They feel they should
be paid and quickly in view of the
high cost of living.
Feat by Press Operators.
1t was said at the provost marshal
generals office that the error I'M
doubtedly resulted from an oversight
and that no one could be blamed. A
shift in plans only a few hours be-
fore the drawing began, threw on the
generals assistants the task of pro-
Viding quickly ten times as many
numbers and ten times as many cap
sules as had been counted upon,
General Crowder, the provost mar
shall, replaced the blindfolded official
at the drawing bowl and himself drew
the last number.
Scarcely had the historic event thus
reached its close than the news of the
last drawing had been flashed over the
country. The Geographic feat of
transmitting the 10000 numbers as
rapidly as they We're drawn was pro-
nounced by officials today as among
the most notable features of the whole
process.
The Associated Press virtually clear
ed its wires of other matter and gave
the right of way to the draft mum bers
from the start of the drawing, with
the result that newspaper everywhere
were able to give to their readers
promptly the lists of those chosen in
the various local districts.
NO small part in the countrywide
success of the lottery plan was played
oy the press operators who worked
Tor long hours with nothing before
them but the eternal group of figures
and with the thought in their minds
that mistake of single figure would
| pc matter of utmost concern to
thousands of men and tens of thor.
sands among their friends and rela-
| tives. For that reason no attempt at
unusual speed could be made with the
result that errors were kept at mini
mum.
| Local Boards Now Act.
In reporting the numbers to the
boards the federal government also
| VIII provide special lists with the
I highest numbers which do not apply
in the given district already cam
| ceIled. The process will not be re-
| duced to the fine point of providing
cancelled sheet that shall exactly
fit each district in the country. but
lists with cancellations made by
groups of thousands will be used and
one will be supplied each loccl board
with the line drawn at the thousand
mark next above the highest number
in that district.
| With the close of the drawing. the
great bulk of the business of making
the new army ready for service will
| pass on the state and local authori-
| ties. They now must post the num-
bers of the men first to be called from
each district, must summon them for
examination and later on must take
up the subject of exemptions. 1t will
be their duty, in short, to turn over
| to the federal government when the
mobilization call comes in September
their given quota of men fit and ready
to be soldiers.
To Camp in September
It will be September or later be-
fore the actual physical work of sort.
ing out the new army is accomplished
AS soon as this is done, the govern
ment win summon $4,000 to the col.
ors, to compose the new national
army and to fill gaps in the regular
army and national guard.
These men will then be sent to can.
Torment camps-if they are ready
and drilled intensively for somS
months before going to France.
Letters of Secretary of War Baker
to senators today minated the ad
ministration does not propose to SEND
either national guard or new army
troops abroad before spring, Attic
original plans contemplated guards
men abroad before snow flies.
No Fake Exemptions Go.
The provost marshal general mott
fed all governors in the slow-goinl
states today that they must esta blisf
their city and town quotas at once
Meantime the surgeon general notified
examining physicians to be especial,
strict in passing on drafted men. NJ
, fake disabilities will be allowed t.
escape.
1T is important" said Surgeon
General GoFgas, that the examiner
realize there will be a proportion o
men who will seek exemption by dis
stimulation, varying from exaggera
ton of a condition to downright
malingering. We are prepared to pro
tect the government against such at
tempts at deception