The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-12

Washington. March 12.-Provost
Marshal General Crowder today 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 APP
portlonment among states on the
number of registrants in Glass l, IN
stead of population. For purposes or
CONT utation 100000 men will be
considered as composing the second
draft, altho no such number Will be
called to the colorS at any one time
Men in deferred classifications, the
provost marshal general announced.
woulo be called in small numbers as
well. as men in Class for the pur-
pose of utilizing special technical
qualifications or sending them TO
schools to acquire such qualifications
The proves. marshal general makes
the definite statement, however. that
there will be no sudden Withdrawal
of great number of men from indus
try and agriculture curing the com
ing summer, but that they will be
1rawa ir relatively small groups
spread thruout the year. To give ex-
act numbers he says would be to give
the enemy military information.
Equipment Ready in April.
While Genera, Crowder sets no
time III his statement, it has been
stated previously that supplies ana
equipment for the men of the sec
ond draft would become available IN
April. and action on the desired leg
islation is expected before that tin1e'
the first calls are expected soon after
ward.
THE next nationa. quota VIII be
announced and apportioned among
the several states as soon as pending
LEGISLATION authorizing change IN
the basis of computation is enacted
hA
shall generals statement.
.,rhe number that will be assumed
as a basis for computation Will be
500, ,0G0 which is well within the au-
thorization of Clause 4, OF Section
of the selective service act OF sec
ond increment of 100000 men, in
creased by the recruit training units
authorized by Clause of said Sec
ton / and by the special and tech
nicai troops authorized by Section
of said act. 1t cannot now be an
nounced what the total number to be
called to the colors each month will
be, but it may be stated that no more
mer will be called than can be prop
erly accommodated and promptly as
simulated.
There are difficulties confronting
the nation in the supply of labor ap-
purtenant to agriculture. Class 1.
from which new 1evies are to be with
drawn, will contain many more men
than are at present required for the
army. 1t would be a mosl unscientific
and fatuous step if the men in Glass
were called indiscriminately without
regard to the labor situation in agrt-
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 a registrant is completely and as
siduously engaged in the planting, cul-
tivation or reaping of a crop. his call
to the colors shall be deferred to the
foot of the quota of his board as long
as he continues to be so engaged.
Must Be Actual Farmers
whenever any registrant, whose call
to the colors has been deferred by rea-
son of his engagement in agriculture,
is shown to have been idle on the farm
on which he is engaged or to have
trifled with the deferment that has
been accorded him. the boards win