El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-03-12

Z today made the first official an
nouncement of the time of the second
draft. 1t viii be ordered as soon as
congress amends the law to compute
the basis of apportionment among the
states on the number of the regis
trants in class one instead of popu-
latiOn- For purposes of computation,
100000 men viii be considered as COM
posing the second draft, although no
such number will be called to the col
ors at any one time.
Men in deferred eIassifieatiOns,
the provost marshal general an
nOunced, would be called in small
numbers as well as men in class
one for the purpose Of utiliSinE
special technical qualifications or
sending them TO schools to acquire
such qualifications.
The provost marshal general makes
the definite statement. however, that
there will be no sudden withdrawal
Of great numbers of men from indus
try and agriculture during the coming
summer, but that they will be drawn
in relatively small groups spread
throughout the year.
Call Expected in April.
While Gen. Crowder sets no time in
his statement, it has been stated pre-
viously that supplies and equipment
for the men OF the second draft would
become available in April and action
on the desired legisla ton is expected
before that time. The first calls are
expected soon afterward.
The next national quota viii be
announced and apportioned among the
several states as soon as pending leg
islation authorizing a change in the
basis Of computation is enacted by
congress" says the provost marshal
generals statement
The number that will be assumed
q hn sic . ~fnr1 hal
SOC, zoe, which is well within the au-
thorization of clause four Of section
one Of the selectiVe service act of the
second incrument Of 100000 men, in
creased by the recruit training units
by clause five Of said sec
ton one. and By the special and tech
meal troops authorized by section two
Of said act.
at cannot now be announced
what the total number to be called
10 the eolOrs each month will be,
but II may he stated that no more
men viii be called than can be
properly accommodated and
promptly assimIIated.
There are difficulties confronting /
the nation in the supply Of labor ap-
purtenant to agriculture Class one, |
from which new levies are to be with /
drawn, will contain many more men /
than are at present required for the (
army. It would be a most unscientific /
and fatuOus step II the men in class I
1ne were called Unfortunately with
'ut regard TO the labor situation in
lgriculture.
Therefore, the local boards viii
be directed to fiji their quotas in
the order of liability of men in
class one as demonstrated by the
national drawing, except that
where IL is shown that the regis
trant Is completely and assidu-
Ously engaged in the planting, cul-
tivafing or reaping of n crop, his
call TO the eolOrs shall be deferred
TO the foot Of the quota of his
board as long as he continues to
be so engaged.
The effect of this expedient IS to /
grant furloughs from service prior to
lctual call 10 the colors to the men
10 greatly needed in the production
II this years crops
Farm Burroughs Coming.
This is not, however, the only ex-
)edient that is to be adopted to con-
erve the supply of labor appurtenant
o agriculture and to mobilize all
means for increasing the harvest for
he agricultural season OF 1918.
There is now pending before con-
,ress a bill authorizing the secretary
u war to grant furlOughs, with or
Without pay to men in the army TO
nable them TO engage in industrial
nd agricultural pursuits
To Defer AEriculturists.
"As to further means 10 protect
a new regulation has been
authorizing agricultural
tudents in their senior year in land