The Washington herald., 1917-06-06
D. C. EvROLLS 5l,Os3
ooNrfNUED FROM PAGE ONE.


Neither did the officials OF the Home
Defense League, alert for unpatriotic
utteranceA. have single complaint
to make from a. m. to 3 D. m
Inquiry among the registrars dis
closed the fact that approximately 50
per cent OF the applicants claimed ex-
emption upon one ground or another.
These who had families to support and
others with invalid relatives were
most numerous among those consider
ihg themselves entitled to exemption.
Where there was any doubt the ap-
plicant wes advised to claim exemp-
ton in order that his rights might be
preserved before the exemption board.
Only small proportion Of those list
ed claimed exemption because they
had Conscientious scruples against
war. SO far as the registration board
could determine.
There were 15e absentee forms filled
out by dehnquents who applied at the
District Building. These registration
blanks will not reach the proper reg
tstration headquarters in other cities
until today or later, so that under a
strict Interpretation of the law the
late comeTS are subject to prosecu-
ton. An unofficial opinion from mem
bers Of the registration board last
night was that the government would
not enforce the law to the strict letter
and where the evident intention Of
the applicant was to conform to the
statute, the delinquency will probably
be excused
HonoTs for listing the greatest num-
Der OF registrants went to Miss Mary
Brewer of the Board of Charities. She
was stationed at the Jefferson school
and handed out l43 registra ton cards
before D. m. The average days work
assigned TO registrar was 80 persons.
Harold Keats, in charge OF the pub
licity for the registration board, had
the distinction of being the first to
register. his card being issued at one
minute to seven. This privilege was
extended because he was himself a
registrar. The last to register was
William Joseph Kelley, listed at the
District Building at 9:O2 o. m. The
two minute tardiness was excused be-
cause he was technically in the build
ing before . p. M. but was DELAYED
Dy the elevator in reaching the regis
tration headquarters.
When the last school had reported
the work of sorting the cards and
making a final listing from which the
selective GRAFT will be made was dele
gated 10 a force OF thirty clerks in
the office of the auditor
Commissioner Louis Brownlow was
tired and happy official after the
work had been completed. Il cannot
tell how pleased feel at the splendid
public spirit shown by the people OF
the District. Our system worked per-
tectly. The clerks worked efficiently,
the people were patient and goOd-na-
tured, and everybody appeared TO feel
SIad that he was being listed in the
ranks of true Americans. We owe
the newspa Ders our hearty thanks for
the splendid manner in which they as
sisted the work of registration by pre-
liminary publicity" he said.
MAJ. Pullman was likewise pleased
with the result and particularly by
the absolute absence OF any trouble.
Many Sought information.
More than !, coo calls, made in per-
son and by telephone. were answered
at Information headquarters on the
1rst floor of the District Building dur
ing the day. Questions ranged from
the relatively simple to real puzzlers.
A considerable number of young men
were troubled by the fact that thev
had given their ages as p or over in
obtaining marriage licenses, when
they were really not of age.
What am to do?" was the uues-
ton asked. The legal record shows |
am II but I'm not''
All were advised to follow the rule
OF registering when in doubt. Some
sought copies of their birth certificates
at the office Of the board OF health.
Dr- \. Patterson, statistician, of. the
board of health, unearthed the birth
certificate os one boy who was mar
RED nearly a year ago. giving his age
then as =. The record showed he
would not he 20 until today. -. :
Hundreds who have applied fcr birth
certificates dpins the last fed weeks
Dr. Patterson said Births weIle snfy
infrequently reported . or 30 years
go.
1t was surprising" said DR.. Patter-
son, how many did not know their
ages and came TO US to find out. Many
c9Iored persons, in particular, had no
idea how Old they were. Others were
doubtful and wanted to make sure -
The general spirit which prevailed
was one of willingness, the registrars
reported. \ number over the age limit
requested and almost demanded that
they be allowed to register.
Every one seemed 10 be going at
il with enthusiasm" said W. R.
Smith. at information headquarters.
We continued to receive volunteers
during the day. An Italian wanted
to act as an Interpreter. Another
young woman speaking Spanish and
French volunteered her services. They
were assigned to work"
Difficult problems arose from time
to time. A young man recently taken
Ill with diptheria, for instance, want
ed to register. A physician was depu-
tized to ,till out the patients card and
turn it in.
A registrar was appointed at each
of the hospitals who went from sick
room to sick room and from bed to
bed making up the list OF prospective
fighting men.
There are half a dozen poor fell
lows In Ward c that will never get
chance to do their Bit" sighed a
reEistrarSin in one big emergency hos
pital after concluding his work.
They'll be drafted to Join the hosts
that have gOne-some of them within
few hours. perhaps"