The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1917-06-21
"SELECTIvE SERVICE AND
THE FARMER.

few readers have expressed their disappointment
over the fact that the young men OF the FARMS in common
with those Of the factories and offices were required to
register for military service and will become subject to
draft under the seectve service law. few protest
against the injustice of such having gotten the
idea that the drafted under the seectve service law
will be to harder service and receive less recOg
milton in every way where same may be merited, than
would those who enlist voluntarily
1t is perhaps unavoidable that great deal of mis-
information should circulate with regard to such mo-
mentous move as the raising of great army the
ecve draft PLAN At the outset should be remembered
that this unquestionaby the farest plan of selection
which could be devised in that its operation will disturb
industry less than would any other method which might
be employed in raising efficient army. Just obvi
ousy would not be fair wholly exempt those engaged
in any occupation from the operation of the draft but
under this plan the value Of each mans services the
country in his normal pursuit will be taken into consider
alton in the determination of the question of his proper
exemption from service
As previously noted the rules under which exemptions
will be made have not yet been promulgated The regis
tration of approximately 100000 of military age
was accomplished in single day. Some time will be
quired for the copying of registration cards. and their
assortment into suitable groups previous to the actual
placing in operation of the draft itself AS soon as the
details can be arranged sufficient number Of will
be selected from these lists by lot to insure the required
number of men for the first training unit of the great
army which must be raised This draft will be equtaby
appOroned to different sections of the country ind
Gated by the registration lists and many will be
drafted than required to fill the first quota so as to
prOVIue winch Will be made under fixed
rules by local boards to whom claims for exemptions NAV
be made with appeal to central board still available
ito the applicant for exemption.
Regarding grounds for exemption the Official Bull
letn of June contains the following statement author
lied by the department.
"Rules for exemptions can not be known until the
secretary of and the President have approved the
recommendations which in preparation or even now
before these officials. 1t pointed out however that
careful reading of General Crowdes statement warrants
the inference that class exemptions not looked for
that is that farmers machnsts, any such class not
specifically exempted in the selective-servce law itself
will not be exempted in toto. But that indispensable
persons in all needful occupations will be exempted with
definite direction from the President and the secretary
of war as to what OCCUPATIONS needfu and within
what limits workers in them to be considered by ex
emption boards exemptabe.
Under the operation of this selectve service law the
drafted man will have exactly the status as soldier
that the enlisted man enjoys Every mans claim for ex
emption will have fair hearing first before competent
body, and the question of exemption will be determined
under general rules which will provide so far as possible
Tor the greatest degree of justice and equity compatible
with the necessity of raising adequate army in the
present crisis No patriotic citizen could ask more and
none should hesitate to cheerfuly make the needed sacr
tice should the fair operation of this equitable law call
ones from their homes to serve the country in the
hour of her supreme trial and need - The Michigan
Farmer.