New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-04
Consumption Results

eIlIneHI VI OiiS NNi'SN-'f
two registrants was over-sanguine. The
district boards were directed to call men
for examination up to twice the number OF
the district quota. It is plain that If this
citys quota is to be obtained without ex-
cessive delay because of exemption hear
ings a supplemental call will have to be
made.
The official figures for Thursday showed
that of the 2,913 men examined 2,O7O
passed muster physically. The percentage
of acceptances was SO. Of those who
qualified 1850 claimed exemption, and only
420-or Ia per cent-made no such claim
Fuller unofficial figures for Thursday
showed much the same result. Of 4,47l
examined 2,717 passed and 2,133 claimed
exemption. The residuum was 584, or IL
per cent of the total. The proportion OF
passed to examined was 60 per cent. II
these ratios hold good, we shall find per-
hans that about two-thirds of those ex-
emined are physically qualified to serve,
and that about 1874 per cent-or, roughly,
between to and to 1-are willing to
be conscripted without further unwinding
of red tape.
Instead of getting one conscript to every
two registrants, we are getting only one
conscript to every seven or eight regis
trants submitted to physical examination.
The proportion of conscripts to registrants
is actually much smaller than these regis
tration summaries show it to be for II is
highly improbable that enemy aliens and
neutral aliens, whose names are carried on
the lists in large numbers in many New
York districts, are examined when they ap-
pear before the registration boards. Since
thew are automatically exempt it would be
a waste of time to examine them.
If the state authorities counted on get
ting a ffty-ffty return on the first CALL
they will be seriously disappointed. Put
aside in every hundred men called 20
enemy aliens and neutral aliens. Then
of physical defects. That leaves so men.
Eighty-fve per cent of these claim exemp-
ton. That leaves between and uncon-
ditional conscripts out of every 100. To
bring the total to fifty not single plea
for exemption can be allowed.
The percentage of exemption claims al
lowed must depend on the rigor or laxity
with which the elastic exemption regula-
tons are enforced At present each board
is practically its own interpreter and
arbter. The exemption provisions are
vague. They may be applied vaguely in
state in which the alien and Stacker ele-
ments are inconsiderable without seriously
depicting the draftable material. But it
is evident that laxity in applying them in
this state-and especially in this city
will compel many districts to draw heavily
on their registration lists in order to raise
their compliments for the first conscript
army.
If our local boards are easy with those
who offer exemption aftidavits, there will
soon have to be additional calls in many
registration areas. We have an inflated
state quota to fill. The population Of New
York City has been artifcially increased
1000 900 OF more by the Federal Census
Bureau. We have here a disproportionate-
~ large body of enemy and neutral aliens.
The passage Of the McCumber bill permit
ting the drafting Of the subjects or citizens
Of the various Entente nations will i'm
prove our situation. On the second call,
too, the inequalities of the original draft
census may be cured TO some extent.
Our man-power will be increased and our
quota will be decreased. But for the pres
cnt we shall have to choose between a
limitation Of exemptions or a very quick
depletion Of our registration reserves.
Under any circumstances New York will
give a good account Of herself. Our peo-
pie are not malingerers and "cofFee cool
ers." We shall produce our quota and, If
the inequalities of the present apportion-
ment are not corrected, a good deal more
than our fair quota Moreover, there will
be fewer exemptions claimed on the call
for the second army than on the call for
the first army. BY the time the second
conscripts are called the war spirit, now
hardly awakened, will have been quickened
by actual experience Of war.
Conscrips,on in this country is az yet in
It's experimental stage. Here and else