Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-18
ARMY DRAFT CONFINED
TO ONE DAY, IS ORDER
War Department Issues Regu-
IationS Covering RegiStra-
ton of Citizens

WASHINGTON. May 15.-The war
department today made the following
announcement regarding the registration
OF citizens liable TO draft.
The war department wishes to i'm
press upon the people that there is only
one day for registration. All males be-
tween the designated ages must regis
ter on the day set. The fact that FIVE
DAYS were allowed for the placing of
the necessary blank forms in the hands
OF registrars appears to have misled
some headline writer's. One day only
the day fixed in the presidents pro-
clamation-will be devoted to registra-
ton.
The war department Is gratified by
the spontaneous offers Of uncompensat-
ed assistance in carrying out the work
OF registration.
zone father in offering to serve as
registrar writes: 4 have two sons in
the guard and one in the regular army,
but | want to do my own little bit
This is typical of hundreds of letters
All such offers probably should be made
to the governors who are the heads of
the registration machinery of their re-
spective states.
ut should be clearly understood that
no male resident of the United States
between the designated ages is excused
in the military or naval service of the
United States: that is, a member of the
regular army or navy, the marine corps,
coast guard service or that part of the
national guard now actually in the fed
eral service.
Registration is distinct from selec-
tive service Registration is a neces
sary preliminary to the later process of
selection.
cit is useless to ask registrars to ex-
cuse anyone from registration. The reg
istrar has no such power. No one can
suspend the law requiring all to regis
ter.
''It is important that all should un-
derstand the significance of registration
and it is hoped that the day will be
approached in the spirit with which
the government has appointed it. Dem
ocracy is its essence. No one can abs
sent himself, nor can the well-to-do man
hire another to represent him on the
occasion. The country's manhood will
present itself on this day and by so do
ing will say in effect; Here am l. Take
me!
Not only has the individual citizenry
of the country made a remarkable re-
Spouse to the registration call, but the
states through their official heads have
indicated such zeal that there is great
rivalry among some of the common
wealths for the honor OF making the
first complete registration returns.
MANY questions are asked daily at
the war department concerning the reg
istration of travelling men and other alb
ssntsss. On the sixth day after the date
OF the presidents proclamation any
one subject TO registration who expects
to be absent from his home on regis
tration day should go to the clerk of
the county where he may be staying. If
he is in a city of over 10000 population
the city clerk is the official to whom 10
apply. The absentee will be told how
TO register and a registration card will
be filled out. This card must be mall
ed by the absentee so as to reach the
registrar of his home precinct by regis
tration day. The clerk to whom the alb
sentee applies is not empowered to is
sue the absentee a registration certifi-
cate This is issued by the registrar
in his home precinct.
Persons too sick to present them
selves for registration must send COM
petent person to the county or city
clerk on the sixth day after the date of
the presidents proclamation. The clerk
will give instructions for registration"