The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-05-05
Manner of Conducting Census
Issued by War Dept.
Civil Officers Take Charge in
Each Voting Precinct.
EXPECTS VOLUNTEER CLERKS
Mayor in Charge in Cities OF
More Than 10000.
Watch for Presidents Edict
Stating Ages and Place.

NOTE: From the war department
which asks that every newspaper In
the country will print this article IN
full and thereafter stimulate interest
and publicity therein. The war depart
ment will regard this service as the
performance of patriotic duty
Washington, May 5.-There was a
time in the country's history when
military enumerators, backed by bay
onets, went out among the people to
take a compulsory service census To-
day, under the principle of universal
liability to service, the execution or
the law is put into the hands of the
people.
The approval of the new national
army bill and the presidents procla-
nation Hereunder would be cotnci-
dent All persons within the age linn
its prescribed will be required to pre-
sent 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 probability is that from ten to
fifteen days will elapse between ap-
prevail of the bill and registration day.
Mayors in Charge in Cities.
The governor of each state Will be
the chief of registration therein. The
county is to be in charge of the sher-
iff, the county clerk and county ply
sician, acting eX-OfficiO, unless a Diff
ferent board shall be announced by
the governor. In cities. containing
populations of more than 10000 the
registration will be under control of
the mayor and selected boards of reg
istration. In order that the designat-
ed county and city officials and the
people generally, can get clear I'M
Outstanding of the census methods, the
following brief outline is given:
The sheriffs or other d csignated Of
ficials. Immediately upon receiving
notice from the governor, shall ap-
point registrars for each voting pre-
cinct.
One to Every 40 Persons.
The proportion for registrars shall
lie one for each 10 persons to be reg
istered. Each age to be registered,
Will comprise about one 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
seven per cent of the precinct popu-
lation.
1t is desirable to accept the services
of competent volunteer registrars to
serve without compensation. All reg
tstrars must be sworn.
The voting place in each precinct
must be prepared for registration. Full
tail of registration will be in the hands
of sheriffs and mayors on the fifth
day after the presidents proclamation
The mayor of a city containing
more than 10000 inhabitants, " the
officials designated by the governor
therein, shall, with approval of the
governor appoint for each ward or
convenient minor subdivision contain
ing about 10000 people one registra-
ton board and shall designate one Of
e .aaI,
similar to those imposed upon the
sheriff, as heretofore outlined If the
mayor desires, he may appoint a cen
trail board to coordinate the work of
minor boards.
Sick and Absentees.
On the fifth day after the president
has issued his proclamation, clerks of
counties and cities of over 10000 must
secure a supply of blanks and copies
of the registration regulations from
the sheriff or from the mayor. Alb
sentees and the sick will apply to such
clerks to have their registration blanks
filled out. In no case shall such per
sons be given registration certificates.
They are to be instructed by the clerk
that the burden is on them to see to
it that the cards reach the registrars
of their home precincts by registration
day.
Persons absent from their home
counties may be registered by mail. If
so absent. a man should go to the
clerk of the county where he may be
STAYING on the sixth day after the
presidents proclamation. If he is in
a city of over 10000 population the
city clerk is the official to whom tc
apply. The absentee will be told how
to register, but he must mail his card
in time to reach his precinct by regis
tration day.
Persons too ill to present themselves
for registration must send a Compel
ent person to the county or city clerk
on the sixth day after the issuing of
the proclamation. The clerk will give
instructions for registration.
Want Volunteer Registrars.
officials of educational. charitable
and other institutions should apply
for instructions to the county or city
clerk on the sixth day after the date
of the proclamation as to convenient
method of registration
The wardens of jails, penitentiaries
and reformatories should apply to the
county or city clerk for instructions
on the sixth day.
Five days after the date of the
presidents proclamation, complete
regulations will be in the hands of all
sheriffs and of the officials of cities
of over 10000 population
The president is authorized to call
upon all public officers to assist in the
execution of the law. 1t is expected
that patriotic citizens will offer their
services free as registrars. Such serv-
ices will be gratefully Acknowledged.
Volunteers Cor this service should
communicate Immediately with the
proper official.