Omaha daily bee., 1917-12-16
UNCLE SAM new
QUESTIONABLE
out SATURDAY
War. Department Begins Huge
Task of Classifying Amerl-
can Citizens Available for
Military Service.

Washington Dec l5.-lhe war de-
partment's huge task of classifying
the nations man power for army serv-
ice actually began today with the
mailing out OF the first 5 per cent
of the questionaires. AT the same
time, recruiting facilities Throughout
the country, already overtaxed with
recent eniistments, threatened to give
way before the rush of draft regis
trants eager to avail themselves OF
the last chance to volunteer.
Recruiting officers in many sections
found themselves without means OF
accommodating thousands enlisted
Yesterday and the stream which con.
tinued to apply. The discharge OF
many forced upon recruiting Offices
means that some men. of draft age
will fail in their efforts to enlist be-
fore noon today, after which they may
ioin the regulars only in their tsatus
as members of the national army.
1t was announced, however, that
men who do not get into the regular
army through recruiting stations be-
fore noon may do so later through
their local boards. Their applications
will be acted upon Immediately, but
they will appear on the rolls as mem
bers of the national army. e. 81
Nine Million Registrants.
The mailing OF questionaires will
be completed speedily by the War de-
partment and within 90 days more
than 100000 registrants will be de
vided into FIVE classes as regards their
liability for military service. In a
statement issued today, Provost Mar
shall General Crowder said:
The plans have been made, the
machine has been built, and with
the loyal cooperation of the local
boards, sol amply. demonstrated by
their past accomplishments, the mil
lions OF registrants will, within sixty
days, stand marshalled for their place
in the worlds war, each in the class
to which his economic worth entities
him.
II have not the slightest hesitation
in predicting the absolute success OF
the classification system.
Never before in the history of the
world have armies been chosen with
the scientific precision OF the new
system. Men will shoulder the gun
first who should by all the laws OF
reason offer themselves first to their
country, and only grim necessity will
compel US to invade the more de-
ferred classes, but if such necessity
dees arise, it will find the country
ready,
Lawyers and Doctors Assist.
Through the governors of the
states, a legal advisory board, TO as
sist registrants to make intelligent
answers to their questionaires has
been assigned to every local board;
through the same agencies the lead
ers In medicine in every community
have pledged themselves TO aid and
assist in medical examinations, The
great majority Of the men who are
building the new system have OF.
fered their services without price to
their government. -. -.
"The completion OF the elassifica-
ton will practically complete the
great work OF the local and district
boards. Thereafter they will act
each in their respective areas as the
governments agents for any new
registration which may occur, and
viii consider changes OF status or
transfers OF jurisdiction when such
may arise"
Will Examine Men After To-day.
Washington, Dec. is.-Secretary
Baker today came TO the relief OF the
thousands of men who have volun-
teered for the regular army but have
been rejected because of the break
down of the recruiting machinery. by
ordering that all qualified applicants
who presented themselves before
noon today should be accepted, even
though their examination and other
details could not be accomplished un-
til later. ~ t's<
Thousands OF men seeking to vol
unteer before the new draft regula.
tions went into effect at noon had
been turned away because the recruit
ing stations were swamped.