Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-20

blindfclded. Then there will be six
announcers. working in reiiefs OF two
NUMBERS TO BE POSTED
on BLACKBOARDS IN ROOM
Two other men, experts from stock
brokers' offices. VIII post the numb ers
on a blackboard as they are called
out. There are two Of these black
boards. each six feet by twelve. They
were designed to hold the original I. ooC
numbers. When the boards are filled
they Will be wiped clean and the work
VIII start all over again. as by that
time the first numbers will have been
sent by telegraph all over the coun-
try.
In the center of the room-a great.
high-ceiled room it is. with cut glass
chandeliers-will be a small table with
chairs in semicircle around Tho
table will be about two feet square.
On 1t will stand the great glass bowl
Inside the bowl will be the 10000 cap
sules. The bowl will be covered. with
the cover officially sealed on.
In the chairs grouped around and
back of the table will be the official
witnesses and about fifty newspaper
men, Three tally clerks. with their
long slips, will sit at another table
within the circle. They will record
eacn number as it is announced Back
at the end OF the room will be the
blackboard
Secretary Baker will preside at the
ceremonies. There was possibility
tonight that Prcsidcn, Wilson him
self would be present when the first
number is drawn. but the White House
was silent on this
There will be few words said Then.
IN the presence OF all, the seals on
the bowl will be broken. and the TOP
removed
Secretary Baker himself may draw
the hrst number. Under the original
plan. he was scheduled to draw the
ten master numbers. leaving the rest
to the selected mystery man Now
mat there VIII be a direct drawing
however. it was uncertain what n
would do. He is expected to draw
the first number. however. After that.
the man appointed to the work will
be led &c the table.
BLlNDFoLDED MAN
WILL DRAW NUMBERS
Blindfolded. he will thrus, an arm
INTO the bowl. stir capsules and draw
a number. This he will hand to the
man on his right, This man will
break the capsule. withdraw the print
ed slip and read the number The
tally clerks will write il down and
the moment it is announced the news
paper men Will hurry it TO wires which
have been set up" in an adjoinlns
room. 1t will take but a minute TO
flash II all over the country
AS the man on his right is breaking
the capsule and reading the first num-
Der. the hlindfolded man will repeat
mis- process of stirring the capsules.
VIII withdraw another. and hand II TO
the man on his let. This man then
Will follow the same procedure of the
hrst man. And SO il will 90. ten hours
OF II. with the blndfolded men and
the snnouncerS working III relays Eff
forts are being made TO keep the at
tendance 5 limited as possible. Indi-
cations tonight we're that wives
mothers and sweethearts Of men liable
20 draft, as we'll as the men themselves
planned concerted rush on the SEN
ale once Building tomorrow in an
EFFORT 70 be present al the fatetul
scene Preparations have been made
10 provide police 10 hold back any
ever. have the privilege of entering
any committee or hearing room. and
many are expected 10 be present on
Gals are anxious TO prevent this for
fear noise or the rumble of CONVERSE
,ion in the back OF the room would
disturb the tally clerks and lead 10
errors.
Jim" Preston. Official president.
emeritus of every event in Washington.
will be on the job TO see that all goes
smoothly. SO far as attendance goes.
He had his preparations All made to-
day. When Jim hash, anything i'm
portant to do he runs on, 10 Chicago or
ST. Louis every four wears. and handles
the press seating arrangements at ma
tional conventions. He is super!nten-
dent OF the Senate press gallery. and
knows every legislator. politician and
newspaper worker in the Caited States
il is said.
Room 2os, selected for the dras,. has
often figured in the news /, Is a big
senate hearing room, and has been the
scene of many famous investigation.
The Lor MGR probe was staged there,
as were the -Ballinger- hearings
the lobby investigation. tn. Brandeis
investigation and other important leg
islative events
SPECIAL TELEGRAPH WIRES
PLACED IN ADJOINING ROOM
Special telegraph wires have been
installed in a room adjoining SO that
the numbers may be sent over the
country as soon as drawn and every
registered man may know his fate be-
fore night. The draft will be ono OF
the most difficult propositions TO handle
that telegraph companies or press as
sociations ever have faced. No less
than 5000 words will be required 10
transmit the numbers completely and
safely. 80 as TO prevent any chance
OF error. 4 double check Will be made
on each number.
Each exemption board has its own
list Of registrants. and the numbers
viii be compared with those in each
city In this way the names OF the
men drafted Will be made known No
names viii be sent from Washington.
Immediately after the completion o.
"