Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1917-07-26
new AMERICAN ARMY CHOSEN
BY GREAT GOVERNMENT RATTLE
All Day Friday Is Taken Up Registering Of Service Age
In Order In Which They Will BE Caled-Rich and
Alike Are Called To Colors

at once. Many of course, will be ex--
empted for various reasons, and il
100000 men do not prove enough.
to fill the first allotment required
boards will 60 on down the lists as
drawn until the army is complete.
No Hitch In Ceremony
The drawing, conducted in COM
mittee room of the senate Office build
ing, as completed without a hitch.
Its deep significance made the scene
in the draftroom an impressive ono.
Assembled early to watch the scene
were members of the senate and
house committees on military affairs.
officers of the army, newspaper men,
and few invited officials of the gov
ernment.
President. Wilson did not attend.
Secretary of War Baker took charge
of the initial ceremonies, and Brig.
Gen. Enoch M. Crowder provost mar
shall of the selective draft organiza-
ton, had official supervision of the
arrangements.
AS the visitors assembled they saw
on table before them huge gtasss
bowl, sealed at the top. Within weree
10000 little gelatine capsules, each
one containin ga number, the num-
ber folded so that it could not be
seen. Around this bowl were group
ed men who had been chosen to draw
and announce the numbers At a
table behind them at four army Off,
GERS with prepared sheets on which
to record the numbers as they were
announced.
Honor TO BE Drawn
When all was ready Secretary
Baker addressed the gathering,
''Gentlemen," the secretary said,
eve have met this morning to con-
duct a lottery or draft by which the
national army and such additions as
are necessary to the regular army
and national guard are to be select
ed. This is an occasion Of great Dig
nifty and solemnity. 1t represents the
first applications of principle of
selection for military service which,
many of US, at least, believe to be-
the fairest that can be devised. Every
step in this plan has been most care
fully studied to assure it's absolute.
fairness.
"It should be regarded as a great:
honor to men who are selected here
today for the army of this country,
and every man here should USE his
influence to break down whatever.
prejudice there may be against mer.
thus chosen.
Officials Act First
When the secretary concluded Cen
Crowder briefly explained the system
of the draft, after which Secretary
Baker invited suggestions from mem
bers of congress present. -
~ suggest that Secretary Baker
draw the first number" shouted some
one in the rear of the room.
~ believe that is part of the,
plan," the secretary responded. 'T
will draw the first number, Senator
Chamberlain, chairman of the senate,
on military affairs will
draw the second and Representative
Dent, chairman of the house CON-
mittee on military affairs, will draw
the third"
A short conference followed, in
which it was agreed that the ranking
members of the military
should draw the fourth
and fifth numbers; Gen. Lasker H..
Bliss, acting chief of staff, the sixth,
Gen. Crowder the seventh, and Adjt.
Gen. Mccain the eighth. Then the.
drawing was to proceed with the
chosen by the war depart
nent in charge.
Secretary Draws First
When all the preliminaries had been
understood Gen. Duval, designated to
preside over the men who drew the
said:
"Are you ready, Mr.. Secretary?"
Secretary Baker stepped forward
% the table and handed his hand
,erchief to an officer, who bound it
lightly around the secretary;s eyes
Immediately the room was flooded
With blaze of moving picture illu-
and battery of cameras
vas trained upon the scene as the
ecretary of war places his hand in
he bowl and drew forth the first
apsule. While the secretary was
rawing the number young man,
lindfclded at intervals throughout
he day and night.
First Number Announced
81 have drawn the first number"
ecretary Baker said, with dignity
s he held the capsule up where all
ould see. There was breathless.
Hence for a moment as one Of the
raft officials broke the capsule and
nfolded the fateful paper.
"No. 258," the clerk shouted.
"No. 258," echoed the tally clerk,
s the checkers wrote it down on
CONTINUED on page 81