Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1918-08-15
WILL CALL YOUNG MEN
ONLY WHEN NECESSARY

Washington, Aug. 12.-Plans for
radical changes to liberalize the draft
regulations are being worked out
at the war department, Secretary
Baker said today after his appear
ance before the senate military COM
mittee to urge prompt enactment of
the new draft bill extending the
draft age to include men between IL
and As years.
Mr.. Baker thought it possible that
the whole method of fixing deferred
classification would be changed so
as to relieve registrants of the duty
Of claiming or refusing to claim ex-
enption.
Mr.. Baker said definitely that no
plan for extending the work or fight
rules to professional classes or be-
yond its present scope was under
consideration.
The war secretary contemplates
dividing all registrants into two
classes so far as those in class one
go. The first would be composed of
men between IS and 10 years and
the second of those between 10 and
As years. The object is to provide
that the Is year old class shall be
drawn upon only when the man
power situation makes ii absolutely
necessary.
Many other suggestions as to lib
eralization of the regulations are
being considered he said among
others is the possibility that the mar
Of the dependency question may
y In Of OIL
trant's call to the colors.
The secretary said the order is
sued yesterday suspending all army
and navy enlistments until defnate
action is taken on the man-power
who had taken steps prior to the is
suance of the order to enlist or to
enter a military training camp.
Prompt enactment of the draft
extension bill so that September s
may be fixed as registration day, as
suggested by Provost Marshal Gen.
eral Crowder, was urged by Mr..
Baker. Without the extension, he
told the committee, it would be
necessary to invade the deferred
classes.
Secretary Daniels discussed with
correspondents the order stopping
enlistments. With 100000 now at
recruiting stations and training
camps and another $4,000 at home
awaiting call, he said the navy has
an abundance of material. Men
enrolled up to yesterday will be ac-
copied he explained and these with
the $4,000 waiting at home will be
called to the colors and stations.
Although congress has not yet pas
sed the bill extending the draft age
to include men from Is to As, pre-
parations now are being made for
the big registration. 1t is generally
accepted that a registration day will
be fixed early in September.
Acting Adjutant General Louis G.
Lasher of Iowa is sending out let
tiers of instruction to all local boards
in this state in accordance with in
structions he has received from the
Governor Harding.
1.-The machinery for registration
must be perfected and ready to be
put into immediate operation when
the presidents proclamation can be
published" the letter declares.
1t is estimated that 275,000 men
in Iowa will be registered under this
new law. There will be registrars
in every voting precinct in the state,
at least one of every possible eighty
registrants. Volunteers are expect
ed to come forward and offer their
services without charge for this reg
istration work.
In cities of more than 10000 pop
ulation or in counties having more
than one local board central reg
istratrion committee must be APP
pointed from the members of the
boards to coordinate and supervise
all preparations for registration.