Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-10-27
THE sELECTlvE DRAFT.
Galveston Tribune.)

Galveston Tribune.)
II stands as a splendid tribute to the pa
triotic spirit of America ; young manhood
that the first call for men to form the army
of defense was complied with in SO spleen.
did a manner. The United States has had
not previous experience in the business of
building n great army and most gratifying
indeed was tho outcome of the nations
maiden effort in this direction. But it
has been made known hat more system is
TO be employed when the time shall have
arrived for the calling of the next con-
tingent To the colors.
Among the other minor evils developed
in the first draft vas the taking from
useful and needed occupations of a large
number Of employees. The hoy, from the
farms were eager To do their part and. ~
a consequence, agriculture was somewhat
crippled; railroad men, artisans in all the
trades, and even valuable office assistants
in the big corporations were sent tn the
training camps and no little Inconvenience
resulted at the time. but matters have beon
now almost brought again TO the normal.
Ii il with a view of avertin. even small
friction that the next draft i to be graded
into several classes, and the men drawn
the lines of activity upon which the nation
leans 50 heavily for what Is necessary TO
carry on the war and al the same time
maintain business "a usual.
This country j. new in the art of max
ing war. the details are not to the Amcri-
can people. hut when a di-agreeablc duty
H. to he performed there viii b. found no
Sinking, and having been convinced that
we are engaged in an enterprise that i
going to call for the cxeci>e of our in
l~genuity and the expenditure of sums of
money such a sound incredible even on
ears accustomed To hearing finances dis.
cu>~ed in millions. We viii adjust ourselves
to the biz job and render the best possible
account. I'm our effort 10 attain the high
eft stage Of efficiency in the making Of
war We are travelling along unfamiliar ways
and must gain our experience n e travel.
and having obtained some knowledge IN
the first draft We will handle the second
call with more regard To maintaining com
mercial and industrial equilibrium than
was possible in our first attempt 10 create
an army.
The government ha~ been quick N zee
that greater care must be exercised III taxi
ing men from the ordinary walk of life to
make .oldier> Of them. II i-not that there
l. any fear the men will not meet require
ments IN physical endurance. courage or
Initiative. hut the governing desire in the
next call will he 10 disturb a. little a. pos
~ible those lines Of activity upon which the
|fightin. force must largely depend and
which are essential 20 the continuation st
ordinary affairs upon which the people de
pend for their happiness and prosperity.
According Ia the published statement.
the man who may be called in the next
draft while he may estimate whether he
l. Ia he more useful 10 the nation n u
fighting unit or pursuing the occupations
where he may best contribute to the gen
.eral welfare Of the army IN the field and
of the people al home. il l. the government
who will III a. Judge in the matter. and
whatever may be- the desires of the midi
.vidual he should make these secondary
10 the needs Of the nation and willingly
lend himself to whatever shall he the con
'cluSion Of those who have made deep study
OF conditions and needs. and whose iudg-
'ment will be based upon patriotism in it,
broade~t meaning.