Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-03-13
To Order Second Draft
fContnued from Page One)

,olors each month will be, but it may
he stated that no more men will be
called than can he properly apcommo-
dated and promptly assimilated
To Consider Agriculture
There are difficulties confronting the
ration in the supply of labor appurtenaht
To agriculture Glass /, from which new
levies are to be Withdrawn. Will contain
many more men then are at present re-
uuired for the army. 1t would be most
unscientitic and fatuous step if the men
~ Glass l were called Unfortunately,
without regard to the labor situation i'll
asricuiture. Therefore the local boards
will he directed TO fill their quotas in the
order. OF liability of men in Class !, as
determined by the national drawing, ex-
cept that, where it is shown that a regis
trant is completely and assiduously en-
gagged in the planting. cultivation or reap
ing of crop, his call to the colors shall
he deferred 10 the foot of the quota OF
his board as long as he continues to be
so engaged,
Whenever any registrant, whose call
TO the colors has been deferred by reason
,"f his enga cement in agriculture, is
shown TO have been idle on the farm Oil
which he is engaged or to have trifled
with the deferment that has been accord
ed him. the boards will forthwith induct
him into military service if his order
number has been reached in the mean
time. The effect of this eXpedient is to
grant furloughs from service prior to act
ual call to colors to the men to greatly
neaiat in, ne -,
crop.
This is not. however the only expe-
dent that is to be adopted to conserve the
supply of labor appurtenant to agricul-
ture and to mobilize all means for IN
creasing the harvest for the agricultural
season Of 1918.
There is now pending before Congress
Dill authorizing the secretary of war TO
grant furoughs. with or without pay, to
men in the army to enable them to engage
in industrial and agricultural pursuits.
These furloughs will be granted after
consideration Of the circumstances OF the
individual case in which they arise and
when the military situation is such that
they can be granted without too great
disruption and disorganization OF the ar
10y "a IA any Pal organization or
The army.
las further means to protect agricul-
'ure new regulation has been promul-
gated authorizing agricultural students
in their senior year in land grant col
ieges to enlist in the enlisted reserve
corps OF the quartermasters department.
provided their class standing is such as
10 place them in the upper third of their
class. BY this means it will be possible
TO defer the draft call of such young
men, in order to enable them to perfect
themselves as agriculturalists and there
after to protect them in such services as
it may seem that they should perform in
the best interests of the nation.
The whole industrial and AGRICULTURAL
situation is being subjected to a very
comprehensive study in order to discove,
any means that may be taken TO protec,
aud augment the labor supply appurte-
nant to Industry and agriculture without
preciuding the prompt and orderly pro.
gress Of our military plans. 1t is conf
IDENTIFY believed that great progress can
De made along this line and That more
effective measures than any yet devised
can be put into operation to attain the
desired end.
War Of Mechanics
TT must be emphasized that this IL .
war OF mechanics. The need Of the sew