Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-05

The hrst official step in Virginia look
ing to the prompt enforcement Of the
draft feature of the army bill as soon
as IL is reported by the conferees and
signed by President Wilson was taken
yesterday by Governor stuart with .he
dispatching of the foregoing message
to hundreds Of county officials The
telegram itself does not in SO many
words refer to the exercise of the draft.
but there was no necessity. in the cir
cumstances. for more explicit aIlu-
sion.
For several days there have been in
military advisers full details of the
plan which will be followed in carry
Ing out the War Departments scheme
for drafting the States male popula-
ton of arms-bearinC age and as soon
as the pending army bill becomes law
II viii be made public. Local officials
have already received the blank cards
that all men Of military age will be
required 20 fill out and file with the
authorities intrusted with enforcing tho
draft.
REGISTRATION TO BEGIN
WHENEVER nIII. is SIGNED
Federal registration of Virginia men
for service in the armed forces of the
United states is expected to begin a
few days after the army hill is signed
President Wilson will issue a formal
proclamation a soon as the measure ia
| law. calling all men within the min
imum and maximum age limits 20 the
colors. The indications are that the
House and Senate conferees will fix
the draft age at from twcnty-one to
thirty
All men. without regard to occupa-
tion or claims 10 exemption. II they fall
within tho age limits fixed. will be re-
quircd to present themselves to the
authorities and fill out the approved
registration cards. Exemptions for
physical disability Or for any other
reasons to be declared acceptable by
the War Department. will be made by
/ the proper authorities after registra-
tion has taken place. Attempts TO
evadc military service by failing to re-
port for registration. or by falsifying
as TO ones age. will ne punishable by
heavy fines and imprisonment
STUART AND SALE TO DE
on BOARD OF REGISTRATION
While the Virginia authorities de-
clined yesterday TO discuss the ma
chinery OF draft and registration for
this state in advance of the signing
of the army bill. the general outlines
of the plan have already been made
public by the War Department. The
taking of the military census will prob
ably be directed by board of regis
tration, the membership Of which will
include Governor Stuart and Adjutant-
General Sale.
Bodies exercising the general func-
tions of boards of registration will
have charge of the draft in the coun-
ties. towns and cities. There will prob
ably be similar registration committees
in each ward. These bodies. operating
in every political subdivision o: the
state. will be charged with the duty
of seeing that on the day Sc; for the
registration every voting booth in Nir-
Ci.ia is opened and properly equipped
for the work. The committees are TO
have registrars. cards. clerks and other
necessaries including police protection.
in readiness. 1t is believed that regis
trars will volunteer their services to
the country without compensation.
SERVICE OF GREAT
VALUE TO GOVERNMENT
The duties of the local registration
boards will he eNacting. difficult and
frequently distressing. but the work OF
these census-takers, as well as Of the
others who will be charged with carry
ing out the solemn duty OF drafting
the citiZenry to the country's colors.
will be Indispensable to the War De-
partment's plans for prosecuting the
war, and will rank as n patriotic serv-
ice of the highest dignity.
Governor Stuart's kilograms yester-
day to secretaries of the county boards
of health ordering them TO he ready
for the performance Of national duties
OF the utmost Importance indicate that
these bodies may be designated as the
local registration boards to work in
conjunction with the clerks Of courts
I ,,l,1