The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1917-05-04
OREGON STARTSTO
TAKE WAR CENSUS
SHERIFFS TO ORGANIZE FORCES
Election Precincts to Be Unit
for Registration of All Voters
of Prescribed Age.

Governor Withycombe has sent to
the Sheriffs of the state letters which
mark the preliminary step that brings
into actual operation in Oregon, con-
scription plans as contemplated in the
bill now before Congress.
The Governor has designated the
Sheriff, County Clerk, and County
Physician Of each county as the official
registration board. Following the
lines laid down in instructions received
from Secretary of War Baker the vot-
ing precinct will be the primary reg
istration area.
The President will issue proclaim
alton calling on all persons of desig-
mated classes to present themselves on
certain day at the customary polling
places. In most precincts one regis
trar will be deemed sufficient.
The County Registration Board will
have charge in general for the county.
1t is expected that the supplies and
blanks will be in the most remote
country district within six day after
the actual passage of the conscription
bill, so that the work may go ahead
with great expedition.
The Governor suggests that the
Sheriffs issue call for volunteers to
assist them In the clerical work.
In outlining the plan of the work,
the Governor notified the Sheriffs CT
their duties as follows:
"Registration will be conducted
through the usual channels; that is,
the county and local precinct officials.
Each county will be unit by itself,
all acting under the general supeIvis-
ion and with the cooperation of this
office.
"At the suggestion of the Secretary
of War, the Governor designates the
Sheriff, County Clerk, and County Ply
sician as the official registration board
for the county. 1t is hoped and ex'
pected that SO far as possible the SER
vices of the various officials and clerks
! will be given without compensation, as
a voluntary patriotic contribution tt
the great work of mobilizing the Ma
tion's resources for wartime efficien
cy.
Immediately upon the signature o
the completed bill by the President
there will be sent to me instructions
covering all details of state, count.
and precinct registration. Also ther
will be mailed from Washington, direc
to each Sheriff, all the necessary
blanks. Should these not reach you
a reserve supply will be available a
this Office.
"The Secretary Of War dwells upoi
| the great Importance Of the utmos
haste in getting the registration worl
under way. 1t is the most stupendou'
task of the kind yet undertaken in thi
country, and the immediate success O
organizing the proposed armies by Sc
lective draft depends upon the efficien
cy and prompt cooperation of state
county and precinct organizations.
II am. therefore, writing this lette
to inform you of what Oregon has beel
called upon to do. Until you receive
the blanks, and / am able to place be
fore you the detailed instruction
which later will come to this Office
you cannot actually start operations
But you can, and sincerely hope yo,
will, lay your plans and get in toucl
with your fellow county and precinc
officials, with the end that genera
preparations may be made for promp
an efficient conduct of the work.
"You will please inform your Coun
| ty Clerk and County Physician tina
you three comprise the registration
board for your county. ! also sugges
that you call for volunteers who vii