The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-05-31

signing himself J. Smith. Jr.. that
would be the name he would register
under. If he used middle name he
would give that with the others. Next
he would be asked his age. He
would reply "23 years. meaning that
he was so many years old on his
last birthday; the proximity of his
next birthday has nothing to do with
it. nor would he be required to give
,, the months and days When the reg
istrar had written this on the card
he would ask the young mans ad-
dress. The reply would not be the
young mans favorite hotel or his ia
vorite club, but the number, street
and city would be taken down.
Then they will come to his birth
day and the year in which he was
born.
Next Mr.. Smith would tell them he
was natural-born citizen OF the
United States. born in blank city.
If instead of John Smith he had
chosen Tony Giacommo he might re-
ply Rome. Italy, and state that he
was a naturalized citizen or de-
clarant, meaning that he had taken
out his first papers. If he had not
even progressed so far he would state
that he was a subject of Italy.
To get back to our hypothetical
John Smith, he would reply to the
next question that he was a mer-
chant, it being presumed that a big
store constitutes his main business.
The hypothetical Tony Giacommo re-
ferred to would say that he was a
clerk in produce store, even though
up to week ago he had been the
driver of a huckster wagon, and even
if he had been driver for years.
John Smith would reply to the next
question that he was in business for
himself. Tony would state that he
was working for Flores Bros, giving
the location of the store. Then the
young man would state if he had a
mother, father, wife or child under
II years of age dependent upon him
for support. The fact that either John
Smith or Tony Giacommo was eager
to get into the army would not relieve
him of the obligation to answer truth
fully any more than a contrary senti-
ment and the invention of such a
dependent relative would avail him.
Details Of Experience.
Next the young man would give the
details of what military service he
had had, provided he had had any.
Finally he would be asked if he
claimed exemption from the draft and
what his grounds for such claims
were. They might be excellent claims
for exemption, but the young NAH
would not be exempt until the Gov
ernment has determined their value
to him. The Government gives him
an opportunity to make his claim for
exemption later. This registration
card information is only for the rec
ord.
Suppose our young man did not
wish to serve and so reported himself
as having only one leg, in order that
it would be obvious that he could not
be soldier. The Government would
catch him later, but that is another
story.
Suppose the registrar, out of
friendship, or for any other reason,
accepted his statement regardless Of
the potent fact of two sturdy legs.
That registrar would go to Jail, with
out the option of fine Nothing is
left to his discretion; lie is under
oath to make truthful return and
dare not connive at evasion or prac-
tice favoritism
What happens after the registra-
tion has not been settled in its ulti-
mate details. According to a bulle-
tin issued by Provost Marshal Gen.
eral E. H. Crowder:
From the lists of persons so reg
istered names will subsequently, be
drawn by lot, by the fairest system
that can be devised. Persons whose
names are drawn and other persons
interested will be given an opportuni-
ty to present claims for exemption.
exclusion or discharge from the draft,
and to support such claims by evil
dence.
The determination of whether a
particular claim for exemption, eXclu-
sion Or discharge shall be granted
will be made BY boards to be appoint
ed by the President The only regu-
lations that has as yet been pre-
Scriho6 ara those governing the reg