Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1917-07-27
NEWS REVIEW OF
The PAST week
Americas Great National Army
Is Drafted, 1,374,000 Men
Being Called.
HALF THAT NUMBER NEEDED
War Preparation Progresses Despite
Many Rows and Schemes to Ham,
per Government - Chancellor
MiehaeIls Sides With the
Junkers-crown Prince
Beaten at Verdun.
BY EDWARD W. PIcKARp.

Americas war lottery, to determine
the men who shall make up the Ma
tional army, was held in Washington
on Friday, July 20. The whole pro-
ceedlng, as devised by Provost Marshal
General Crowder and his aids, was cal
culated to make the draft absolutely
fair and to give the young millionaire
and the young laborer equal chances
to serve their country, provided they
are physically and mentally fit. All
the names of the nearly ten million
registrants were drawn, the element of
chance determining the order In which
they shall be called before the exam
lining boards in the 4,557 examining
districts. Each local board has been
informed Of the number Of men It must
furnish to make up its quota Of the
6S7 900 men needed on the first call,
and has been told TO call 200 per cent
of the quota for examination, to pro-
vide for exemptions, in the order de-
termined by the draft.
Northern senators and representa-
tives have been making strong pro-
tests against the population estimates
made by the census bureau for the pur-
pose Of determining the quotas for the
draft. The South, 1t is asserted, has
been unduly favored. The war depart
ment has admitted that the quotas for
the draft we're fixed in disregard of
the provisions of the draft law.
Progress and Rows In Washington.
An immense work of preparation Is
being carried on at Washington by the
q scores of experts In business and tech
nical lines who are aiding the govern
ment and there is no doubt that all will
come out right eventually. Mean
while there are many annoying dis
putes and disagreements, perhaps un-
avoidable. The row between Chair
man Denman and General Goethals as
to the building of q merchant marine
reached the point where the interven-
ton of President Wilson seemed nee
essary. The manner in which con-
tracts are being let for the government
through the operation of the advisory
committees of the council of national
defense have been severely criticized
by Senator Kenyon and others and be-
cause these committeeman often are
interested in great business concerns
that are being called on to furnish sup.
plies to the government, they are &C
cused of seeking their own prmofit
In most cases such charges are mani
festly unjust. While the senators were
carrying on their interminable discus
sion of the food bill, a violent attack
was made on Mr.. Hoover by Senator
Reed, who said Hoover had been gam
bling In food and clothing as chairman
Of the American commission for reliet
in Belgium. The swift denials Of
Hoover's associates and friends reall!
were unnecessary.
The food control bill, as finally ar
ranged In the senate, contained tn,
compromise amendments ellminatin,
from the operation of the measure cot
ton. Steel hides, lumber and all othe
articles except food, feed and fuel, ant
creating a board of food administra
ton consisting Of three men. Tn,
first of thsse amendments is in &C
cord with the wishes of the admins
tration, and the second is not displeas
ing to II, for Hoover will be mad
chairman Of the board. He and hi
associates In the food conservation
campaign are not depending too mucl
on the actions>of congress.
The federal trade commission bega
Its inquiry into the costs Of produC
ing and marketing food commodities
starting with the Chicago packing IL
dustry. The investigation is to sprea