Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-07-17
REGISTERED MEN
URGED To STUDY
RULES Of DRAFT

| WASHINGTON, D. c., July IL
With drawing of lots for the selective
draft army awaiting only completion
Of exemption machinery in a few
scattered sections of the country,
officials here are anxious that regis
trants take every opportunity between
now and the day of drawing to inform
themselves thoroughly regarding ex-
emption regulations so as to reduce to
minimum the confusion to be cleared
up after designations are made
TO this end attention is being direct
ed to various sections Of the regula-
tions over which questions have arisen,
and it was suggested that the local
boards and the press cooperate DUR
ing the week or so remaining before
lots are drawn to insure that the reg
istered men know just how to per-
fern their part in the great task.
So that easier access may be had to
the lists of registration numbers in
the hands of local boards, Provost
Marshall General Crowder has tele-
graphed the governors of all states ask
ing that instead of posting the lists at
the board offices, they be placed in
some safe, central Office such as police
headquarters.
Only eleven states have not reported
their organizations complete and in
many of these only a few district
boards had not finished numbering reg
istration cards. When the governors of
the missing states telegraph that all
the boards in their jurisdiction have
filed their lists, the drawing date will
be set. Officials think it will not be
earlier than Saturday.
Local Boards Power Limited.
Officials here are anxious that local
boards make it clear everywhere that
no question of exemption of any regis
tered man for any other cause than
physical disability or dependent rela-
tives can be taken up before the local
boards. The whole matter of industrial
exemptions is left to the superior
boards.
No individual case where exemption
is desired because the registrant is en-
Gagged in any industry classified as
vital to the conduct of the war will be
taken up until thai individual has been
called up for examination, by his local
board, found to be without dependents
and physically fit for military duty, and
certified to the superior board After
the application to the superior board
for exemption on other grounds will
be admissible. The registrant or his
employer may file necessary affidavits
with the superior board seeking exemp-
tion and the case will be heard prom
pity.
Status of Absent Registrants.
Another point on which there has
been much doubt is the status of reg
istrants absent from their registration
districts Scores of requests have come
from men in this situation, asking il
they will have to return to their home
towns for examination. They have been
informed that if they are selected for
examination, each will be notified by
mail by his local board and then can
apply to the local borad for permission
to undergo examination in the tow
where he is located Such action can
not be taken, however, until the regis
trant has actually been summoned by
his local board.
The Government has distributed to
ali local boards complete sets of blanks
to cover appeals. transfers and any
other matters in connection with the
proceedings. Registrants may examine
these at quarters of local boards, but
every effort has been made to prevent
the filing of affidavits or other docu-
ments that do not apply to a case ac-
tually under consideration. Otherwise
the boards would be swamped with eff
fcrts to get a decision in advance.
No Exemption as Glass.
Probably the point in the whole pro-
cess which has led to the greatest mis-
and confusion is the sys-
tenn by which industrial exemption is
to be granted. Many persons have re-
garded it as certain that men in muni-
tion-making or other strictly war in
dustries would be exempted as class.
That is not the fact. What is to gov
ern the process is the Importance Of
the individual in such an industry.
To make this policy effective, the SUI
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