The midland journal., 1917-05-11
EXPLAINS METHODS
OF OPERATION OF
ARMY DRAFT LAW
EXPLICIT INSTRUCTIONS FOR
THE GUIDANCE OF THOSE HAV-
ING MATTER IN CHARGE.
COUNTY OFFICIALS TO ACT
Their Duties Designated, With the
Governors of Each State Placed at
the Head of All Registration Ma
chinery-Voting Places to Be Used
as Centers of Gatherings.


chinery-Voting Places to Be Used
as Centers of Gatherings.
Washington.-To facilitate the work
Of raising the military forces called
for by the army draft law, now in
effect, the war department has issued
the following letter Of instruction, by
which all officials connected with the
duty will be governed:
The approval Of the new national
army bill and the presidents proclama-
ton hereunder have been coincident.
All persons within the age limits pre-
scribed are required to present them
selves for registration at the customary
voting places in the voting precincts
in which they have their permanent
homes, on a day which the president
will announce.
There was a time in the country's
history when military enumerators,
backed by bayonets, went out among
the people to take compulsory serv-
ice census. Today, under the principle
ecution of the law is put into the
hands of the people.
The governor Of each state Is the
chief of registration therein. The ma
chinery of registration in each county
is in charge of the sheriff, the county
clerk, and the county physician, act
ing ex officio, unless different board
shall be announced by the governor. In
cities containing populations Of more
than 10000, the registration will be
under the control of the mayor and Sc
lected boards Of registration. In order
that the designated county and city
officials, and the people generally, can
get clear understanding of the CEN
sus methods the following brief out
line is given:
The sheriffs, or other designated Off
cials, Immediately upon receiving no
tice from the governor, shall appoint
registrars for each voting precinct.
Apportionment Of Registrars.
The proportion of registrars shall be
one for each ITO persons to be regis
tered. Each age to be registered will
comprise about per cent of the popu-
lation.
If, for instance, all men between
nineteen and twenty-five years of age,
inclusive, are to be registered the reg
istrar would have to enroll about
per cent of the precinct population.
1t is desirable to accept the services
of competent volunteer registrars to
serve without compensation. All reg
istrars must be sworn.
The voting place in each precinct
must be prepared for registration. Full
printed instructions covering every de-
tail of registration will be in the hands
of sheriffs and mayors on the fifth day
after the presidents proclamation.
Cities of Over 10000 Population.
The mayor of city containing more
than 10000 inhabitants, or the officials
designated by the governor therein,
shall, with approval of the governor,
appoint for each ward or convenient
minor subdivision containing about 3O,-
900 people one registration board, and
shall designate one officer of each
board to perform duties similar to
those imposed on the sheriff, as \ere-
tofore outlined. If the mayor desires,
he may appoint central board to CO.
ordinate the work of minor boards.
Duties of County Clerks, and of
Clerks Of Cities of over 10000
People.
On the fifth day after the president
has issued his proclamation, clerks of
counties and cities of over 10000 must
secure a supply of blanks and copies
of the registration regulations from
the sheriff or from the mayor. Absen-
tees and the sick will apply to such
clerks to have their registration cards
filled out. In no case shall such per-
sons be given registration certificates.
They are to be instructed by the clerk
that the burden is on them to see to it
that the cards reach the registrars of
their home precincts by registration
day.
Absentees and the Sick.
Persons absent from their home
counties may be registered by mail. If
so absent a man should go to the clerk
of the county where he may be staying,
on the sixth day after the date of the
presidents proclamation. If he is in
city of over 10000 population, the city
clerk is the official to whom to apply.
The absentee will be told how to reg
lister, but he must mail his card in
time to reach his precinct by registra-
tion day.
Persons too sick to present them
selves for registration must send a
competent person to the county or city
clerk on the sixth day after the is