The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1917-07-06

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Preparations for the mobilization
of the first contingent of 625,000
troops of the new national army ad-
vanced another step today when
President Wilson promulgated the
regulations to govern exemptions
from military service.
Local and appeal exemption boards
already have been appointed, and the
issuance of the regulations will per-
nit them to prepare for the conclud-
ing phases of the task of getting the
men under training.
In the order in which they must
come, there are three steps in the or
ganization process Of the national
army as prescribed by congress. These
are registration, selection and exemp-
ton. The first step has been carried
through and approximately 10,000,000
men between 21 and 80 years of age
have been registered. The regula-
tions issued today cover in detail the
operation of the third step, exenp-
tion.
Method of Selection.
Information concerning the second
step in the series, however, is still
lacking, and officials are guarding
closely the method by which selection
is to be applied.
The local boards are directed upon
organization to take over from the
registration precincts the cards and
lists of the men registered, as their
first duty to provide a serial number
for each registration card. This has
given support to the belief that the
selection is to be by number. Reports
were current recently that the selec-
tion drawing was to be made in Wash
ington.
Presumably the process of selection
will be announced only a short time
before it is put in operation. When
that will be is not known. September
l has been the tentative date set for
calling the first contingent. Progress
with construction of the 16 divisional
environments for the roops will govern
that action, however. It is now be-
lieved there will be no serious delay.
Will Be Quick Process.
Exemption process will not take a
great deal of time. The regulations
provide that decision in any individual
case shall not be delayed more than
three days by the local boards. The
whole process probably can be carried
through in less than 80 days.
There were no surprises in the ex-
emption regulation. The task of pass
ing up on the individual cases is left
entirely to the local boards. While
the president reserves the right to
designate industries necessary for the
public good, the question of whether
retention of any individual engaged in
these industries is essential is left to
the boards.
While these steps are being carried
out, the war department is making
progress with the even more difficult
task of finding officers for the force.
Part Of these will come from the 16
officers training camps. The first 1O,-
600 of the 10000 men at the camps
will be selected for commissions in
the first increment of the new army.
That is less than half the number of
officers necessary. The war depart
ment approved today recommenda-
tions of commanders of regular regi-
ments which will commission 5000 or
more regular non-commissioned off,
GERS to be captains or lieutenants in
the first 625,000 of the national army.
It is understood that more than 30
men from each regiment, in addition
to those now at the officers training
camps will be given commissioners for
the period of the war.
An experienced regular officer will
command each regiment of the ma
tional army. To aid him he will have
several other regular officers ex-
perienced in particular lines; such as
his adjutant, at least me major, his
ordnance and quartermaster officers
and some others. The remainder of
the officers will come from the re-