Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-03-12
FIRST CALLS In SECOND
DRAFT COME In APRIL
[Continued from First Pase.l


ing the second draft, although no
such number will be called to the
colors at any one time.
Will Call Small Numbers
Men in deferred classifications, the
Provost Marshal General announced,
would be called in small numbers as
well as men in Glass l for the pur-
pose of utilizing special technical
qualifications or sending them to
schools to acquire such qualifica-
tions.
The Provost Marshal General
makes the definite statement, how
ever, that there would be no sudden
withdrawal of great numbers of men
from industry and agriculture dur
ing the coming summer, but that
they will be drawn in relatively small
groups spread throughout the year.
To give the exact numbers, he says,
would be to give the enemy military
information.
While General Crowder sets no
time in his statement, it has been
stated previously that supplies and
equipment for the men of the secono
draft would become available In
April and action on the desired leg
islation is expected before that time
the first calls are expected soon art
erward.
Await Legislation
The next national quota Will DE
announced and apportioned among
the several states as soon as pending
legislation authorizing a change 1T
the basis of computation is enacteO
by Congress" says the Provost Mar
shall Generals statement. THE mum
ber that will be assumed as a basis
for computation will be SOO,oOo
which is well within the authoflza'
ton of Clause 4, of Section l OF th'
selective service act of a second IN
crement of 100000 men, increased
by the recruit training units author'
lied by Clause 5 of said Section
and by the special and technica
troops authorized by Section o
said act. 1t cannot now be announced
what the total number to be calleo
to the colors each month Will De, pu
it may be stated that no more mel
will be called than can be proper!
accommodated and promptly asslm
Hated.
Will Protect Agriculture
.'There are difficulties confrontint
the nation in the supply of labor ap
purtenant to agriculture. class
from which new leVies are TO pt
withdrawn, will contain many more
men than are at present required 10
the Army. 1t would be most un
scientific and fabulous step II the mel
in Glass 1 were called indlscrlml
nately without regard to the lapol
situation in agriculture. Therefore
the local boards will be directed u
fill their quotas in the order OF IL
ability of men to Class l as determ
/ ined by the national drawing, e%cep
that. where it is shown that reg
| istrant is completely and assiduousl!
engaged in the planting, cultivation
| or reaping of crop, his call TO TN
colors shall be deferred to the 100
of the quota of his board as long u
he continues to be so engaged.
Penalty of Idleness
Whenever any reglstrant, WhoS
| call to the colors has been delerre'
by reason of his engagement II
agriculture, is shown to have Deel
idle on the farm on which he is en-
paped or to have trifled with the de
| ferment that has been accordeu MIN
the boards will forthwith induct hin
| into military service If his orde
| number has been reached IN Tn
meantime. The effect of this eXpedi
ent is to grant furloughs from serV
| ice nrior to actual call to the color
to the men so greatly needed in tn
production of this years crops.
"This is not, however, the only eN
Incident that is to be adopted TO con
serve the supply of labor appurten
ant to agriculture and TO moplllHe N d.
means for increasing the harNesI lo
the agricultural season Oh 1919.
"There now is pending befor
Congress- a bill authorizing the Sec
retarv of War to grant furloughs
with or without pay, to men In Tn
ARMY to enable them to engage Il
industrial and agricultural pursuits
These furloughs will be 'grante'
after consideration of the circum
stances of the individual case Il
which they arise and when the min
tary situation is such that they ca
he granted without too great d1srup
ton and disorganization of the Arm
or of any particular organization o
| the Army.
Defer Draft Call
"As to further means to protec
| agriculture a new regulation ha
been promulgated authorizing agri
cultural students in their senio
wear in land grant colleges to enlls
in the Enlisted Reseve Corps OF tn
Qartermaster's Department provide
their cass standing is such as
| Mace IneIn III IiIS hppCl IliiiN
their class. BY this means 1T wi
be possible to defer the draft o
such young men in order to enabl
them to perfect themselves as agri
culturalists and thereafter to pro
tect them in such services as 1T ma
seem that they should perform /
the best interests of the nation.
"The whole industrial and agri
cultural situation is being subjecte
to a very comprehensive study /
order to discover any means tina
may be taken to protect and aug
ment the labor supply appurtenar
to industry and agriculture withou
precluding the prompt and orderl
progress of our military plans. 1t
| confidently believed that great prog
ress can be made along this lin
and that more effective measure
than any yet devised can be put int
operation to attain the desired enc
War of Mechanics
1T must be emphasized that thi
is a war of mechanics. The need o
the several armed forces for me
highly skilled in technical and me
| chanical pursuits is greater than i