Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-02
EXPECT FEW sLACKERS
ON REGISTRATION DAY
Reports From All Parts OF State
Show Event Has Been Widely
Advertised.
FAILURE MEANS JAIL TERM
Those Who Attempt to Influence
Others Against Registration VIII
BE Promptly and Sharply Dealt
With by Authorities.

While jailS will yawn for those who
fail to register on Tuesday under the
selective draft act. Governor Henry
c. stuart is confident from reports
all over Virginia that there viii he few
slackers for the law to deal with in
this state. IlanS have been made to
crush promptly any aGitators "ho at
tempt to obstruct the law. but the
central registration authorities are
satisfied that only small fraction o!
the men Of registration age viii fail
10 obey.
Routine work Is now occupying the
clerical force. under Major clinton l..
Wright. which has charge OF the de-
tails for the registration of the 49,
600 NirGinians Of conscription age. The
filing cases which have been shipped
by the War Department have not Yet
arrived, but will be installed hcfor"
the huge mass of registration cards
dcscends on the Office next week.
All cities and counties report tina,
sufficient blank forms Ia carry on the
work in each precinct have been re-
cciNed and distributed. All rec iSt"lrs
nave been appointed and instructed in
their duties. From every section Of
me state comes word that tho matter
Oh registration mas hecn widely 5h
vertised and that there should be no
plea of ignorance Of the la from any
man. The few remaining days. how
ever will he utilized still further 10
spread the requirements of tho law.
particular attention being paid to the
negroes in order that they can be made
to realize the necessity for registering.
FAILURE TO REGISTER
MEANS TERM IN JAIL.
man has had AN opportunity to register
on June >. city and county police have
been instructed carefully to watch for
cutters and To warn them of their
duty. II they fail to heed the warn
ing they will he unprecedented later and
dealt with in accordance with tho law
which leaves the offender liable 10
twelve months in jail. Any person.
however. who attempts to in"ucnc,,
another against registration viii bc
promptly taken into custody and held
Tor the Federal authorities.
Registration Day will be a semi
holiday. This will he matter Of nee
essity as men in all walks OF life will
have to stop their work in order 10
essity. as men in all walks Of life wilt
visit the enrolment stations. There
II may hc necessary for them to stand
IN line for a considerable length Of
time before their turn comes MANY
of the smaller communities of the
state plan to have all-day picnics and
other interesting features on tn. day
or registration. In Norfolk, women
Will be stationed at each Of the pre-
cincts to pin badge on each man
as he registers.
In Richmond the day will he utilized
by local National Guard organizations
Tor big recruiting drive. Appeals
VIII he made to those who have regis
tered TO cast their lot with local COM
panics. where they will be among
their friends. Guardsmen in uniform
will be at the registration precincts
to distribute literature to prospective
recruits and to answer any questions
NO direct appeals will be made i'm or
der not TO embarrass those who 10 NOT
care TO enlist.
Enlistments in the National Guard
VIII not be halted by the registration
OF men eligible for service Volunteers
can still join the colors until actually
drafted or the War Department rules
otherwise. Those of draft age who
want TO enlist after June ) must hav..
the registration certificate. however,
as no man can smooth over his (aiIure
to register by enlistine