Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-06-05
FEDERAL AUTHORITIES
IN CONTROL OF
SITUATION
PORTS ARE WATCHED
GOVERNMENT AGENTS WATCH
MEXICAN AND CANADIAN BOR-
DERs FOR DEsERTERs WHO
WOULD EvADE REGISTRATION.

Washington, June 5-Early reports
reaching the Offices of the Attorney
General and the Provost Marshal Gen
eral indicated that the registration
during the first few hours was very
large. Little serious disorder was ex-
pected. The usual fights which marks
national election were anticipated but
the elaborate precautions taken made
any widespread anti-registration riot
ing impossible
The entire force of the department
of justice thruout the country had
been ordered On duty at o'clock this
morning. The legal representatives
everywhere had been directed to de-
mand the maximum bail for all offen-
ders There was to be no minimizing
the Importance Of complete registra-
| tion
There were few reports received
from anywhere in the early hours.
1t was explained that authentic fig
ures probably would not be evailable
for couple Of days. Until these actu-
ally are in announcement OF the ap-
pointment of exemption boards and OF
the date for the drawing OF the 625,-
600 members of the first army will be
withheld. The personnel of the boards
however has been decided on in most
cases and appointments will merely
be matter Of routine.
State peace officers, municipal po-
lice, county sheriffs, and all other To-
cal officers everywhere we're aiding
the federal agents in bringing about
a complete registration. In addition
to the widespread network of feder-
al employees who have become agents
of the Department of Justices intelli-
gence system were lending hand.
Practically every postmaster, inter-
nal revenue representative postofilce
inspector, immigration and customs
| inspector, as well as many field agents
of other branches of the government
were on the alert to give information
to aid the authorities to enforce law.
Upon the break with Germany these
federal employees were added to the
police and intelligence system already
possessed by the Department Fur
ther. several patriotic societies and
rraternal organizations have become
semi-ofiicial agents for the govern
ment.
All of these agents were not em-
powered to make arrests, but were to
forward information to those so au-
thorized Telephones, telegraph
wires and automobiles and motor cy-
cles were being used in keeping the
.. proper federal authorities in intimate
touch with developments at every
quarter.
The vigilance committee formed by
citizens at the instance OF Attorney
General Gregory were increasing the
efficiency of the entire organization
which will enforce the registration
law.
All ports and both the Canadian
/ and Mexican borders are being watch.
I ed for deserters and it is understood
that for some time after today as
. sharp watch will be kept for these
=, who may have refrained from regis
+ tering in the hopes that subsequently
escape might be effected. No amount
T Of influence In any quarter and no
l amount Of money will save an elig
ible from registration or payment OF
the penalty
The number that would refuse to
register in the country at large was
+, placed at 100000 today by Dr David
!, Starr Jordan, one Of the leading paci
!. fists.
Any attempt to prevent registration
will be quickly stamped out Elgh'
the department Of Justice were sta
r toned at various points In the city
and at the federal building the entire
resources of the United Statea mar
d shal's Office and the United States dis
2, trict attorneys office were In readi
q ness to handle with dispatch al
ID cases of trouble reported Unitet
States Commissioners Hitchcock pre-
'r pared to sit all day to hear case
" growing out of the registration pro
u ceedngs.
The public was appealed to by Mar
~ shall Mccarthy to report any attempt
at dissuading men OF conscription ag'
from registering He urged that al
v suspicious acts be reported Tor inves
tgation,