The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-15
Rule InfalIible; None Can Be
Excused From Duty.
Unless He Already Is in Mill
tary Service of U. S.
MANY VOLUNTEER REGISTRARS
Hundreds of Letters, but Should
Be Sent to Governor.
Explains How Absentees and
Sick Are to Register.

washington, May 15.-The war de-
partment today made the following
announcements regarding the registra-
ton of citizens liable to draft:
THE war department wishes to
impress unon the people that there
is only one day for registra-
ton. All males between the deslG-
mated ages must register on the DAY
set The fact that five days were al
lowed 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 proclamation-wili
be devoted to registration.
1.-THE war department is gratified by
the spontaneous offers of uncompen-
stated assistance in carrying out the
swork of registration.
zone father in offering to serve reg
istrar writes: have two sons in
the guard and one in the regular army
but 1 want to do my own little Bit
This is typical of hundreds of letters.
All, such offers properly should be
made to the governors who are the
heads of the registration machinery of
their respective states.
No Use to Seek Excuse.
"It should be clearly understood
that no male resident of the United
States between the designated ages IS
excused from registration unless he is
already in the military or naval service
of the United States; that is, member
of the regular army or navy the ma
rine corps, coast guard service or that
part of the national guard now &C
tually in the federal service. Regis
tration is distinct from selectiVe ser
vice. Registration is a necessary pre-
liminary to the later process of selec-
ition.
Z II cit is useless to ask registrars to
Jicfr-
registrar mas no such powers. No one
can suspend the law requiring all to
register.
.,, TT is important that all shall under
stand the significance of registra-
ition and it is hoped that the day will
be approached in the spirit with
which the government has appointed
1t. Democracy is its essence No one
can absent himself, nor can the we'll
8to=do man hire another to represent
inanhood will present itself on this
day and by so doing will say in effect:
Here am 1. Take me-
Rivalry To Be First.
Not Only has the individual citizen
ry of the country made a remarka BILE
response to the registration call, but
the states thru their official heads
have indicated zeal that there is great
rivalry among some of the common
weaIths for the honor of making the
first complete registration returns.
Many questions are asked daily at
the war department concerning the
registration of travelling men and 9TH
er abSentees. On the sixth day after
1.-THE date of the presidents proclama-
Ntfon anyone subject to registration
who expects to be absent from his
home on registrat ton 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 to apply. The
absentee will be told how to register
and registration card will be filled out
This card must be mailed by the alb
esentee so as to reach the registrar of
his home precinct by registration day
The clerk to whom the absentee ap-
plies is not empowered to issue the
absentee a registration certificate
, This is issued by the registrar in his
home precinct.
Persons too sick to present them
sselves for registration must send a
competent person to the county or
city clerk on the sixth day after the
date of the presidents proclamation
The clerk will give instructions for
I-epriSfta