Iditarod pioneer., 1917-08-11
APPROPRIATIONS CONCERNING
 DRAFT ARMY SELECTION

Preparations for the mobilization of the first contingent of t:5 900 troops of the new National army were advanced another step when President Wilson promulgated the regulations to govern exemptions from mill 1ary service
 In the order in which they must come. there gre three steps in the organization process of the National army as prescribed by congress The three are registration se- lection and exemptions, The first step has been carried through and approximately l0.OOO,OO0 men between Fl and 31 years of age have been registered, The regulations cover in detai the operation of the third step, exemption.
 At the time of the issuance of the reguia Tions the exemption boards had not been advised es to the selection process, slthough no step prescribe,i except the organization of the boards could be carried out until the selection machinery had been furnished the names of the men whose fitness and deslra-
 
 blity for army service the boards are 10 judge
 In statement accompanying the an nouncement of the regulations the President rslled upon the boards to do their work fearlessiy and inpartlaly and to remember that "our armies at the front will be strengthened and sustained if they be com posed of men free from any sense of injus- flee in their mode of selection" The state nent follows:
 "The regulations which an today caus- ing to be promulgated. pursuant to the dl rection of the Eelectve draft service law, cover the remaining steps of the plan for calling into the service of the United States qualified men from those who have regis tered; those selected as the result of this process to constitute, with the regular army, the national guard and the navy. the fight ing forces of the nation all of which forces are under the terms of the law placed in a position of equal right, dignity and respon- sbiIity with the members of all other mill tary forces.
 The regulations have been drawn with 8 view to the needs and crcumst ances of the whole country, and provide a system which it is exrccted will work with the least inequality and personal hardship. Any sys- tenn of selecting men for military service, whether voluntary or involuntary in its operation, necessarily selects some men to bear the burden of danger and sacrifice for the whole nation The system here pro vided places all men of military ege upon an even plane and then, by a selection which neither favors the one nor penalizes the other. calls out the requisite number for service
 "The successful operation of this law and of these regulations depends necessarily upon the loyalty patriotism and justice of the members of the boards to whom its opera tion is committed, end admonish every member of every local board and of every district board of review that their duty to their country requires an impartial and fearless performance of the delicate and difficult duties intrusted to them. They should remember as to each individual case presented to them that they are called upon to ad!udlcate the most sacred rights of the individual and to preserve untarnished the honor of the nation.
 Our armies at the front will be strength ened and sustained if they be composed of men free from any sense of injustice in the mode of selection, and they will be inspired to loftier efforts in behalf of country in which the citizens called upon to perform