The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-03-07
100000 MEN TO BE SUMMONED
 IN NEXT DRAFT

Washington, March While a large number of men will be called cut this year to fill up the army and complete it's organization, it was learned last night that War Depart ment plans do not call for any ad- ditional divisions in 1918.
 The announcement concerning the second draft expected soon from Pro- Vost Marshal Gen. Crowder may out line the manner in which less than 100000 men-probably not much in excess of SO0,000-are to be sum moned gradually during tine year to complete the existing organizations.
 Delay in the announcement as to the next draft is understood to be due to uncertainty as to which meth cd of allotting quotas to the states is to be followed. The Senate already has passed and the House Military Committee has favorably reported an amendment to the law to base the quota on the number of men in Class l instead of upon the total registra- tion of state. This change is re- garded as certain, but to avoid further delay, schedules of allotments under both systems have been prepared ct the Provost Marshal Generals office, ready to so out as soon as final action is taken.
 As to the date of the second draft, members of Congress from agricul- tural sections have been assured prac- tically that no withdrawal of men from civil life was contemplated which would ho been indicated, however, that a rela- lively small number of men must be called to the colors prior to June 1 and that process may start in April when equipment, clothing and quar- ters will be available
 The men are needed to fill up to full strength divisions slated f'or early de- parture to Europe and also for field, army and corps troops not attached to divisions The replacement detach- metns also must go forward at an ac- celerating rate since American troops are now actually holding a sector of the French front and men are being killed or wounded in action every day.
 The completion of the full program of the War Department without ere ating any additional divisions prob ably will absorb in the neighborhood of 6O0,OO0 men. The extent to which it has been necessary to increase artil- lery quotas throughout the army and to add special units of all sorts has surprised every officer and accounts for the existing shortages to a large extent.
 The number of replacement troops necessary is worked out in a scien- tific way, based on experience at the front. A fixed percentage for eacf arm of the service is established Among the non-combatant arms, thi! is very small, but it is quite higf among front line troops. While off cial figures are not available, it i! estimated that something more thar 200,0 will be necessary for the 191{ program, ma ing S00,000 necessary tC call out during this year.
 The last increments of the frs draft, now in process of mobolization totalling about 8O,000 men, are uset to fill Regular and National GuarC divisions shown by their efficiency re ports to be available for early dut. abroad. Some of the men are used also to fill up the special forces, al though an additional source of sup ply for highly specialized technica units is being used continuously This is by special drafts of particu larly qualified men of the trades nee essary. Orders were issued today t local boards calling for 52S artisan of various sorts for non-combatan units.
 Even with all of the first draft me- mobilized, there are considerable de ficiencies among the National Arm and some of the National Guard di visions. The first purpose of the sec ond draft will be to make up thi shortage.