Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1917-06-08
Returns Reaching Washington
Slowly; Indicate Census
Bureaus Figures Will Not
Be EquaIIed.
EXEMPTION IS CLAIMED
By ABOUT so PER CENT
Married Men as a Class Not
to Be Excused; Individual
Cases to Be Dealt With on
Their Merits,

tnv MOANING JOURNAL SPECIAL lukakp Wfrat
Washington, June 7.---Registration
returns came in slow today and to-
night from Tuesdays great military
census, preventing anything nearing a
conclusive estimate as to the number
of men actually enrolled. An Off
cial statement today said such partial
returns as were at hand indicated
that the 100000 estimate of the
census bureau for the number of men
within the prescribed ages would not
be equalled.
A feature of the few complete re-
turns Is the high percentage of the
indicated exemption average of pp-
proximately so per cent of the total
registration. Officials pointed out,
however. that this did not mean
actual exemptions as the indicated
figures include all .narried men and
those in executive, judicial on legis-
lative office. Until exemption regis
trations have been promulgated it will
be impossible to say how many of
these will be included in those to be
marked off the military rolls.
War Secretary Enthusiastic.
The one conclusive result of the
registration that cannot be altered in
the slightest degree by any possible
variation from the estimates is thai
millions of young Americans have put
in their names, claiming no eXemp-
tions and stating no reason for re-
lease from war service.
In regard to the married, Secre-
tary Baker said today that in all the
letters he has received on the subject
of exemption, not one even suggested
that marriage should establish a class
exemption. He added that individual
cases would be dealt with on their
merits, no matter what the reason for
exemption might be.
The secretary was enthusiastic over
the results of the registration. He
expressed his appreciation of tre work
done by Provost Marshal General
Crowder and by state and municipal
officials. declaring the day had been
"a spectacular demonstration" of the
solidity of the American people and
their high patriotism. of which the
enrolment was the best evidence.
Mr. Baker thinks it will be some
time before the regulations governing
exemptions are issued.
Must Be Systematized.
The complete working out Of these
regulations and the appointment of
exemption boards, the secretary said,
will precede the issuance of regula-
tions to govern the selection of men
for examination. He had no comment
to make on the selection process be-
yond the statement that a fair sys-
tenn would be adopted.
Exemption boards will be localized
as much as possible to make it easy
for selected men to get to the place
of examination without interfering
any more than absolutely necessary
with their regular occupations.
Officials generally said the fact that
the few states which had sent in their
complete figures at late hour show
ed with two exceptions falling off
from census estimates for total reg
istration, should not be taken as in
dicating any great number of eva
sions. All reports from department
of justice agents and others tended,
on the contrary, to shaw that there
was a surprisingly small number of
skulkers
Below Census Figures.
Total figures from seven states and
the District of Columbia reported
when the provost marshal generals
office closed tonight showed approx
imately $4,000 below the census ratio.
Should that average hold for all the
states 1t would mean a total decrease
of about 100000. The army, navy.
marine corps and the national guard,
included in the population figures
upon which the census estimates were
based. would more than offset the
decrease.
Representative Park of Georgia
sought further legal measures today
to deal with skulkers. In a bill intro
duced in the house he proposed that
men who failed to register be dis
franchised for the duration of the
war.
Additional requests for registration
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