Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-08
y. s. War Department
Explains Registration
System for Drafting
Issues Formal Statement Out
lining Procedure TO Be Fol-
lowed by Those Within Pre-
SCribed Age Limits
From 4. S. War Department. !

a time in the counurys history when
military enumerators. backed by bay
onets. went out among the people to
take a compulsory service census. To-
day. under the principle of universal
liability to service, the execution of
the law Is put into the hands of the
people.
The approval Of she new national
army bill and the presidents procla-
nation Hereunder will be coincident.
All persons within the age limits pre-
scribed will be required TO present
themselves for registration at the
customary voting places i'm the voting
precincts in which they have their per-
manenJ homes, on day which the
president will announce. The proba-
bility is that from ten to fifteen days
will elapse between approval OF the
bill and registration day.
The governor of each state will be
the chief of registration therein. The
machinery Of registrations i'm each
county is to be i'm charge of the sher-
iff the county clerk, the county physi-
clan. acting ex-officio. unless A differ
ent shall be announced by the governor.
In cities containing populations of
more than 10000 the registration will
be under control of the mayor and Sc
lected boards of registration. In or
der that the designated county and city
officials and the people generally can
get a clear understanding of the census
methods. the following brief outline is
given:
REGISTRARS.
The shcriffs or other designated Off
cials, Immediately upon receiving no
tice from the governor. shall appoint
registrars for each voting precinct
The proportion OF registrars shall De
one for each 10 persons to be regis
tered. Zach age 10 be registered will
comprise about ] per cent of the popu-
lation. II. for instance, all men be-
tween 10 and - years OF age, inclu-
sive, are to be registered, the regis
trar would have TO enroll about seven
per cent of the precinct population.
IL is desirable 10 accept the services
OF competent volunteer registrars to
serve without compensation. All regis
trars must be sworn.
The voting place in each precinct
must be prepared for registration. Fail
printed instructions covering every de-
tail of registration will he in the
hands of sheriffs and mayors on the
fifth day after the presidents procla-
nation
The mayor of a city containing more
than 10000 inhabitants. or the officials
designated by the governor therein,
shall. with the approval of the COVER
nor. appoint for each ward or convent
eut minor subdivision containing about
10000 people one registration board,
and shall designate one officer of each
board to perform duties similar to
those imposed upon the sheriff, as here
tofore outlined. If the mayor desires
he may appoint a central board to Co
ordinate the work of minor boards.
on the NTH day after the president
has issued his proclamation clerks of
counties and cities of over 10000 must
secure a supply of blanks and copies
Of the registration regulations from
the sheriff or from the mayor.
Absences and the sick will apply to
such clerks TO have their registration
blanks filled out. In no case shall such
persons be given registration certifi-
cate. They are to be instructed by the
clerk that the burden is on them to see
TO IL that the cards reach the regis
trars OF their home precincts by regis
traJiOn day.
Persons absent from their home coun-
ties may no registered by mail. IL so
absent a man should go to the clerk of
the county where he MAY bt std ms VII
the sixth day after the presidents proc
Iamation. If he is i'm city of over So
600 population. the city clerk is the Of
fetal to whom to apply. The absentee
will be told how 10 register but he must
mail his card in time to reach his pre-
CinCt by registration day.
Persons too sick to present them
selves for registration must send a
competent person TO the county or city
clerk on the sixth day after the issuing
OF the proclamation. The clerk will
give instructions for registra ton.
Officials of education, charitable and
other institutions should apply for in
structions to the count or city clerk
on the sixth day after the date of the
proclamation as to a convenient method
OF registration
The wardens or jails. penitentiaries
and reformstories should apply to the
county or city clerk for instructions on
the sixth day Five days after the date
Of the presidents proclamation complete
regulations will be in the hands of all
sheriffs and OF the officials of cities of
over 10000 population.
The president is authorized TO call
upon all public officers to assist i'm the
execution OF the law. II is expected
that patriotic citizens will offer their
service free as regitrsrs. Such serv-
ices will be gratefully acknowledged
Volunteers for this service should COM
municate Immediately with the proper
official.