Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-06-03
U.BOAT ACTIVITY
AIDS RECRUITING
Report of Raids Off New
Jersey Spurs Draft
Eligibles to Enlist
RUSH TAXES OFFICIALS

There was rush of draft eligbles Ia
the various recruiting stations through
out the city this afternoon as the news
OF the activities Of German raiders off
the Jersey coast spread like widfre.
Great crowds flocked TO the stations
taking advantage of their opportunity
to enlist before being called in the draft
| After tomorrow, at midnight. draft
eligibles will not be permitted to enlist
voluntarily, and with patriotism In
creased by the fact that Germany had at
last carried the war to our own shores,
the rush taxed the energies of the re-
cruiting officers
While it had been previously an
nounced that today would be the last
on which young men who have reached
their majority since June s, 1917. could
enlist, receiving authorities extended the
time TO give all those men who care to
enlist before registration time wednes-
day. a chance to do so.
The rush was particularly noticed in
Mayor Smiths reception room where
the naval reserves are enlsting men.
Approximately 1s,60O men have come
within the provisions of the draft law
since June 5, 1917. or will have reached
their twentyfrst birthday on or before
Wednesday. All of these must register
for service at the offices of their local
draft boards
Men to whom the terms of the Presi-
dents registration proclamation is ap-
plicable, who wish to enter some branch
of the military service as volunteers
should make application for enlistment
today. as early as possible,
Long List Of Applicants
During the last few days there has
been a steadily lengthening list of ap-
plicants for enlistment at the several
recruiting offices here. Men who enlist
here for the army will be sent to Fort
Slocum. y. Y, for training.
Registration Offices Wednesday will be
open from a. m. to p. m. The War
Department has outlined procedure for
registrants on that day as follows:
Go in person on June to your reg
istration place. If you expect to be
absent from home on June 5. go at once
to the office of the local board where
you happen to be Have your registra-
tion card filled out and certified. Mail
1t to the local board having jurisdiction
where you permanently reside. 1nclose
a self-addressed, stamped envelope with
your registration card for the return OF
your registration certificate. Failure to
get this certificate may cause you seri-
Gus inconvenience. If YOU are sick on
June 5 and unable to present yourself In
person. send some competent friend. The
clerk may deputize him to prepare your
card"
All male persons, whether native-born
or alien. who were born between June s.
1896. and June 5, 1897, inclusive. except
officers and enlisted men OF the regular
army, navy and marine corps. the Ma
tional Guard and the naval militia. while
in the Federal service: officers in the
officers reserve corps and enlisted men
in enlisted reserve corps while in active
service, must register on Wednesday.
Men Taught Their Duty
Draft officials here are confident that
there will be a much smaller percentage
of men in the new registration to claim
deferred classification or exemption than
there was the first registration day.
They believe that the year of war has
taught men their duty as they had not
seen it before and that the German ad-
vance on the western front has made
the youth of the land more eager to get
into the fray and have a part in turning
the enemy back across the Rhine.
A better understanding of the draft
laws also is expected to help bring about
smoother operation of the new regis
tration and subsequent calls for selected
men for service. officials OF the local
draft boards themselves who will con-
duct the registration are better informed
as to what is expected of them. This
situation is expected to prevent the repe-
tition Of mistakes such as may have
caused charges of discrimination la st
year.
The largest draft of men yet called is
looked for June "a. Apportionment of
this draft will be announced from WASH
ington within few days. Troops are
now moving overseas in such numbers
as will soon make available in this coun.
try cantonment quarters for nearly a
half million men, it is said