Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1918-03-14

Large Number of Men to Go Into
Camps Soon.
NEW PLAN NOW IN EFFECT
Men in Deferred Classification Will Be
Called in Small Numhers-Equip-
nent Ready April Fur
Ioughs for Agriculture

Washington, March 13.-ProvoSt
Marshal General Crowder made the
first official announcement of the time
of the second draft. 1t will be ordered
as soon as congress amends the law to
compute the basis of apportionment
among the states on She number of
registrants in class 1 instead of popu-
iat1on For purposes of computation
100000 men viii be considered as com
posing the second draft, although no
such number viii be called 10 the col
ors at any one time.
Men in deferred claSsificationS. the
provost marshal general announced,
would he called III small numbers as
well rs men in class /, for the purpose
of utilizing special technical qualifica-
tons or sending them to schools to ac-
quire such qualifications.
The provost marshal general makes
the definite StatemeIs, however, that
there will be no sudden withdrawal of
great numbers of amen from industry
and agriculture during the coming
summer, but that they will be drawn
In relatively small groups spread
throughout the year TO give the ex-
act numbers, he says, Would be to give
the enemy military information
Call Expected Next Month.
While General CroWder sets no time
in his statement, it has been stated
previously that supplies and equip
ment for the men of the second draft
would become available in April and.
as action on the desired legislation is
expected before that time, the first
calls. are expected soon afterWard.
THE next national quota will he an
nOunced and appOrtioned among the
several states as soon as pending legis-
lation authorizing Il change in the basis
gress, says the provost marshal gen
erals statement. The number that
will be assumed as basis for conpu-
-&.ajion Wiie ije afz~eWhich iS well
within the authorization of clause of
section ! Of the Selactiye service act Of
a second increment of 3OO.O 900 men, in
creased by clause ) of said section /
and by the special and technical troops
authorized by section of said act. 1t
cannot now be announced what the
total number to be called to the cOlOrS
each month Will be, but it may be stat
than can be properly accommodated
and promptly assimilated
Call Farmers Last
There are difficulties confronting
the nation in the supply of labor ap-
purtenant to agriculture. Glass /,
from which new Ievies are to be with
drawn, will contain many more men
than are at present required for the
army. 1t would he most unscientifc
and fatuOuS step if the men in class
We're called indiscriminateiy without
regard to the labor situation in agri-
culture. Therefore, the local boards
will be directed to fill their quotas in
the order of liability of men in class l,
as determined by the national draw
ing, except that, where it is shown that
registrant is completely and assidu-
Ously engaged in the planting, cultiva-
ton or reaping Of a crop, his call to
the col0rs shall be deferred to the foot
Of the quota of his board as long as he
continues to be 50 engaged.
FurIoughs for Farm Work.
''There is now pending before CON
gress a bill authorizing the secretary
of war to grant furIOughs, with or
without pay, to men in the army TO
enable them to engage in industrial
and agricultural pursuits.
''As to further means to protect agri-
culture ii new regulation has been pro-
muIgated authorizing agricultural stu
dents in their senior year in land
grant colleges to enlist in the enlist
ed reserve corps of the quartermas-
| ter's department provided their class
standing is such as to place them in
the upper third Of their class.
THE whole industrial and agricul-
! tural situation is being subjected to
| a very comprehensive study in order
! 10 discover any means that may be
| taken to protect and augment the Ia
| Dor supply appurtenant to industry
| anu dEl IItIt tI Z h1A4lpht BAtNluhi4l- -
the prompt and orderly progress Of
| our military plans. 1t is confidently
/ believed that great progress can be
made along this line and that more
| effective measures than any yet de-
vised can be put into operation TO at
! tain the desired end.
War OF Mechanics.
"It must be emphasized that this is
a war Of mechanics. The need of the
several armed forces for men highly
skilled in technical and mechanical
pursuits is greater than in any for
mer war.
'.The provost marshal general has
already called unon the states for TO-
900 skilled artisans and, Will shortly
| call upon the states for 10000 young
men. graduates Of grammar schools.
who will be sent before the first Of
April to various technical and other
schools throughout the United States
for a two-months' course OF training.
Regularly thereafter, an increasing
stream Of selected men will be sent
through educational and other training
institutions for this purpose"