Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-07-21
EVENTS OF A WEEK

Because of the magnitude of the undertaking, be-
cause it represents an application of the democratic prin-
ciple not hitherto recognized in practice in this country,
and because of its intimate relation to so many family
circles and so many individuals, the military draft which
a public nature during the week. The drawing, which
took place In Washington. has selected enough men to
leave, as is expected. the necessary $4,000 after all in
eligihles have been eliminated. The drawing took place
without a hitch, although at the last moment a change
was made in the plan because 1t was discovered that IN
some cases local boards had enumerated their men in
such a manner that had the original plan been followed
an undue number of men might have been drawn from
one local district while its neighbor would supply too
few. The plan Of drawing which was followed avoided
this possibility. but made the routine work of the draw
ing twice as long as it would have been otherwise.
Most OF the men drawn are aware of the fact as pub
lie notice has been given Of the result. The newspapers
Of the country have co-operated heartily with the gov
eminent in giving publicity to the regulations covering
the drawing. the manner in which it would be performed,
and the numbers drawn. with the names Of the persons
to whom the numbers had been assigned. The next step
will be the elimination Of the exempt. The medical ex-
aminations will come first, and then the consideration of
claims for exemption. These will be considered first by
the local boards, which will be working under instruc-
tions, and the candidate will have the right of appeal
from the decision Of his local board.
Just while the draft is fresh in our minds it may be
we'll to emphasis a point which had been mentioned
often in these columns. The charge has been made
directly and by inuendo, In the press and on the. plat
form, that in this war the sons Of the poor would be COM
PEELED to go to the front while the sons of the rich would
remain at home free from military duty. That charge.
by whomsoever made. wherever made. is false. Those
who make 1t are malicious liars. Those who credit It are
either lacking in common understanding or are stubborn
ly refusing to examine plain facts which are right before
them. Men Of all conditions Of life, IL Of military age,
were required to register. Substantially all Of them did
register. And. having registered, each man, no matter
whether rich or poor. stood an absolutely equal chance
with all his fellows. The conditions governing the draw
ing were such. that favoritsm could not possibly be
shown and all the proceedings relating to exemptions will
be equally fair and ahove-board.
Congress has wasted another week over the food
control bill. There are some able men in congress, but
congress as a body is inclind to be jealous of its preroga-
tives and to be suspicious Of the president of the United
States. II the president asks that authority be given him
to do this or that, congress Immediately takes the matter
under consideration and seeks to make sure that the
president will not abuse the authority IL it is conferred
on him. In theory congress prefers to take the required
action itself. Although in practice it takes it a long time
to get down to business. The original food bill, having
been amended out of all likeness to itself, has been prac-
tcally abandoned, and a new set of amendments now un-
der consideration will restore it to something like the orr
ginal. But congress does not like to let an authority
pass out Of its hands.