The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1917-05-11

WASHINGTON, May 5.-An Of
fetal outline of the method by which
military registration is to be carried
out under the selective conscription
bill was made public today with an
appeal from the war department for
the voluntary services of state cleo
ton and other officials in order that
there may be no delay in enrolling
and classifying millions of men for
army duty. Careful preparation
has been made to place the whole
task in the hands of civilian officials
Of the states and to remove every
suggestion of military force in put
ting the measure into effect. The
only function of the federal govern
ment will be supervision through the
office of the provost marshal general.
The departments statement follows: !:
There was time in the country's
history when military enumerators,
backed by bayonets, went out among
the people to take compulsory SER
vice census. Today under the prin-
ciple of universal liability to service
the execution of the law is put into
the hands of the people.
All Mist Register.
"The approval of the new national
army bill and the presidents procla-
nation hereunder will be coincident.
All persons within the age limits pre-
scribed will be required to present
themselves for registration at the
customary voting places in the voting
precincts in which they have their
permanent homes, on day which the
president will announce. The prob
ability is that from ten to fifteen days
will elapse between approval Of the
bill and registration day.
"The governor Of each state will
be chief of registration therein. The
machinery of registration in each
county is to be in charge of the sher-
iff, the county clerk and the county
physician, acting ex-officio, unless a
different board shall be announced
by the governor. In cities having
more than 10000 population the reg
istration will be under the control of
the mayor and selected boards of reg
istration. In order that the desig-
mated county and city officials, and
the people generally can get clear
understanding of the census methods,
the following brief outline is given:
"The sheriffs or other designated
officials Immediately upon receiving
notice from the governor shall ap-
point registrars for each voting pre-
cinct.
Registrars to Volunteer.
"The proportion of registrars shall
be one for each ITO persons to be
registered. Each age to be register
ed will comprise about l per cent of
the population.
"If for instance all men between
10 and 25 years of age, inclusive,
are to be registered, the registrar
would have to enroll about 7 per cent
of the precinct population.
- at is desirable to accept the SER
vices of competent volunteer regis
trars to serve without compensation.
All registrars must be sworn.
"The voting place in each precinct
must be prepared for registration.
Full printed instructions covering
every detail of registration will be IN
the hands of sheriffs and mayors on
the fifth day after the president
proclamation.
"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 con-
tanning about 10000 people, one reg
istration board and shall designate
one officer of each board to perform
duties similar. to those imposed on
the sheriff, as heretofore outlined:
If the mayor desires, he may appoint
central board to coordinate the
work of minor boards.
Burden on Citizens.
"On the fifth day after the presl-
dent has issued his proclamation,
clerks of counties and cities OF over
40 900 must secure supply OF blanks
and copies of the registration IRON
the sheriff or from the mayor; 40
sentees and the sick will apply TO
such clerks to have their registration
cards filled out. In no case shail per
sons be given registration certlhcatehs, .h.
They are to be instructed by tne