The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1918-03-28
Provost Marshal Wants Them to
Gather Data for the. War
Department.
Information Required 10 to Be Taken
From Questlonnalres Of Drafted
Men-Artisans to Be Picked
From All Sections.

|
through the provost marshars office
Is undertaking to organize volunteer
army Of school teachers throughout
the entire land. SO as to secure an
efficient Industrial army to stand be
hind the men with guns In their hands
and enable the United States to fight
the great war to q successful cOnclu-
| sion. It is very big undertaking and
like many Of the efforts put forth by
the government at this time much de-
| ponds upon the voluntary assistance
Of loyal and patriotic people. The
matter has been taken up with Presi-
dent Wilson and he has expressed the
opinion that the school teachers Of
America, those who are now engaged
In teaching the children Of the coun-
try patriotism, will come to the aid Of
the government.
In order to enforce the selective
draft system the country was organ
lied with 5000 local boards to pass
upon the returns which the selected
men made. In the Office Of each local
board, comprising the district which
the board controls, are the answers to
the Questionnaires Of something like q
total of 100000 men. About 1,5OO,-
900 have already been selected for the
fighting forces Of the National army,
but there remain In various classes
men who could be extremely useful to
the government on account Of the
knowledge and skill which they have
attained In their daily occupations.
It is necessary for the provost mar
Information as to the qualification, ex-
perience and adaptability Of these men
to the work which Is necessary In con-
nection with the war;.
Pershing Needs Skilled Men.
For Instance, not long ago General
Pershing wanted 1000 bricklayers. He
wanted them not as civilians but as
soldiers. He needed them for particu-
lar work which was to be done
for the support Of the army in France.
Then again there was call for 5000
spruce lumbermen that is, men who
had knowledge Of the numbering and
logging business, who could go into
the woods and get the spruce lumber
necessary to make airplanes. Then
there Is a call for motor mechanics,
and for men skilled In many other
lines Of industry who as soldiers Will
perform as great service in support
ing the army at the front as will those
men who are working industriously for i
the government all along the line in !
order to make the fighting forces eff
fective.
Now the provost marshal's Office Is
In need Of the information that Is on
file in the offices Of the various local
boards, and the only way this informa-
ton can be obtained is through the
voluntary assistance Of some particu-
AR class Of people. It has been de-
,ided that the school teachers Of the
country by giving little Of their
line each day to the work can obtain
rom the local boards the information
which the provost marshal must have
n order to secure the classification OF
he men so as to make up the various
lists that are necessary to make the
Lrmy the great machine which it Is
to be.
Get Facts From QUESTIONABLE.
In order to get this information mill
ions of cards have been printed and
ent to the various local boards, upon
which is to be copied from the ques-
ionnaires on file with the boards the
necessary information respecting each
Individual selected man that the pro-
ost marshaPs office desires. Upon
his card the man will be classified &C
ording to the findings of the local
GARD, but the important feature will
e his classification as to occupation
nd skill In any particular profession,
rade or industry; his familiarity with
ools and instruments, or other kinds
Z work. It will make no difference
hat his occupation may be, the infor-
nation concerning the man will be put
pom the card and these cards sent to
ne provost marshal in Washington.
1t is proposed to classify at least
100000 men who will be available
,r service in the United States as
>ldiers. They will be put in uniform
nd subject to the same discipline as
le other selected men. Instead OF be-
Y trained with guns and for fighting,
icy will be trained for particular duty
at is needed.
It is the intention Of the provost
arshals office to make the selection
men for these industries so as to
use the least possible disturbance
nong workingmen, or in the indus
les of the country. The selections
III be made from all sections of the
untry and in such manner as to
use the least trouble.
The greatest difficulty which the
ovost marshal's Office has expert
ced in connection with this work Is
at Of obtaining the information on
! with the various local boards. The
lcers believe, however, that the solu-
n of the difficulty will be found In
} voluntary assistance of the school