Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-21
he drama Of live. ana fortunes In


tho drama OF lives and fortunes in
balance.
1t was the great lottery that news.
paper correspondents have been writ
Ing about-the gamble Of 100000
lives OF Americas best manhood.
At one side OF tho big room were
rows Of chairs for tho witnesses. at
blocked of for 800 numbers. In front
Of the blackboard was u double-length
table. and in front of that a Smaller
table. on which reposed a great glass
jar.
The jar had top Of thick manila
paper bound around it by five rounds
Of tough Irvine. with seal on the
twine In the bottom. thousands OF
grayish black capsules showed. There
were 10000 of them. and they piled up
for more than four inches inside the
bowl. a thick mass. Stuck among them
was huge wooden spoon with red,
white and blue bunting tied to the
handle.
That was the scene which greeted
the early arrivals ins Room geo. The
opening Of the draft had been set for
$50 o'clock. General Crowdsr was
there at Q.
The bowl was brought in and placed
on the table. At $40. Secretary of
War Baker arrived. He wore Palm
Beach suit, which stood out in broad
contrast to the dull khaki of the Of
ticers
SOLEMN OF vISAGE
AND GRAVE OF MEN
Wearing every type Of male apparel,
from the congressional 'Jimswinger"
TO ponGee summer suits, the House
and Senate Military Affairs Commit
tees trooped in and took their seats.
They were solemn of vissge and grave
of mien.
Secretary Baker lost no time in pre-
liminarie
Gentlemen" he said. this IL
solemn and historic moment we
come here to determine which of TO-
100000 Of our young men who have
registered for national service will be
selected to answer the Presidents call
for an army OF $4,000. and what the
service in the future.
that we are TO have a demonstration
of selecting men from the nation for
service. These men have all register
ed and are waiting. For them l be-
speak the honor OF the nation. They
are not conscripts-they are men who
are chosen from among their fellows
III nation wide selection. and they
are on an equal footing with. any other
man in the army or navy"
General Crowder spoke for less than
five minutes. He told how tho draw
ing would be made.
Let US proceed" said Secretary
Baker. when General Crowdcr had con.
cluded.
IL shall draw the first number" said
Secretary Baker. and I ask that the
'hairmen of the Senate and House Mill
itary Committee. Official witnesses at
this historic occasion. draw the second
and third. respectively. and General
Crowder shall draw the fourth"
No" broke in General Crowder.
General Bliss. as chief of staff. shall
draw the fourth.
ANNoUNCERs READY
FOR THEIR ARDUOUs WORK
Even while the speaking vas going
on the announcers had made ready for
their wei k. the taiiy clerks were wait
ing poised with their foun,.,.a pens
and other attaches had blindfol 80 air
Phillips, who was 10 serve first in the
drawing.
General Dual broke the seal on tne
cor ABOUT the bowl and stuck his t>t
through the covering Of papc:. .ic
ripped away the PAPER, and. reaching
icwn. stirred the capsules with TIC
great spoon.
Secretary Baker removed his eye
glasses. and one of General Crowder's
around his head.
islindfolding him, he was led to a
position behind the bowl. He reached
Gown and stirred the capsules with the
spoon. Dropping the spoon. he stuck
his hand among the pellets and brought
il up again.
i have drawn the first number" said
Mr. Baker in the tone Of a man who
has done an epochal thing. He held
the tiny capsule aloft. An announcer
took it from him and broke the cap
sule. taking out the paper slip.
The number is 25S," he cried.
Two hundred and flfty-eieht--
echoed the voice of the tally chief.
another attendant posted the numerals.
"25S." on the blackboard in the rear
Messenger boys bearing Sins Of
paper darted through the crowded aisle
and through the packed mass of men
and women at the door in the rear.