New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1918-03-02
THE NEXT DRAFT CALL.


that the United States should hav,
a large army at the front at a;
early day as possible, the Wa
Department is being asked to an
nounce it's purpose in regard tC
the next draft, how many men will
be called, when and under what
conditions. So far there has not
been a hint Of any kind on these
points, and naturally some con-
fusion prevails, as the entire draft
system has been changed in the
last few months and all the men
of military age have been classl-
fed and re-examined in order.to
determine as to their present con-
dition and the order in which
they shall be called to the service.
! There is great uncertainty, and,
therefore, confusion, ON these
points. and this uncertainty is en-
failing some unnecessary hard
ships, especially in the case of men
who hold positions which require
them to travel or which call them
away at some time.
| The question Of time is also very
important on the farm. The man
who is putting in crop or assist
ing in putting it in should know
when he is to be called from the
fields for military service. The
government itself recognizes the
difficulties and losses that may
arise unless the notice is given, and
its disposition is to disturb the
labor situation as little as posi-
bic, particularly on the farms in
planting season.
All these points must be con-
sidered. and it is given out in
Washington, although not in AN
official or even definite way, that
the War Department is inclined
to hold back the draft some
what, so that it will entail the
least disturbance to the agricul-
tural or other industries of the
country, and until all questions
at issue are determined. A
number of changesasin the draft
law are under consideration by
Congress. 1t is proposed, for in
stance, to radically change the
apportionment of men among the
stateSo on the basis of the number
available for military age, that
is, those between 81 and 81, m
stead Of on population. The lat
ter system, which has prevailed
during the first draft, has been
found unjust to some state.
Moreover, there is the proposed
new registration of men who have
come Of age during the last nine
months and which should add
some 100000 to the available for
ces, and various other amend
ments have been suggested to
Congress for the exemption Of
men in certain positions or plac-
ing them in the lower or deferred
classes. In fine, some delay or
hesitation in the cause seems in
evitable while it is determined
whether or not Congress pro-
poses to modify our draft law
and in what respects. Until these
points are determined the War
Department evidently does not
intend to send more men to camp
even If there was room for them
there.
AS q consequence the date of
the next call is as yet not fixed,
and may fall at any time between
onw and June !. All of these re.
ports on this point rae after all
mere guesses, and the secretary Of
war probably does not know the
date himself. On one point,
however, there seems a complete
agreement-that the draft will
not be for as large a number as
The first one. when $4,000 men
we're called; but that the call will
be on the basis Of smaller num-
Der each month, say 100000, un- ,
Ill the entire force NEEDED is in
camp. This win mean q steady !
stream Of men to the camps. and
viii prevent any railroad conges-
ion and confusion in their trans
oortation. The men will, Of
course, 60 to camp in the order !
Il their seri0l numbers as drawn
It Washington, seven months ago.
With the practical experience vel
rave had since then the entire
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