Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-18
MAJOR SCHM|TTER MEETS
DRAFT BOARD DOCTORS
Holds Interesting Conference Here
as to Physical Exam
nations.
WILL BIZ SIMPLER HEREAFTER
Provision Made to Use in Clerical or
Other Positions Behind tho Lines
Men Who Are Not Fit for Active
Service in the Trenches.

Two very helpful and Instructive
talks were given yesterday by Major
F.. Schmittor, commanding oiicer OF
the base hospital Of the Eishtieth Di-
vision. Camp Lee. to the physicians as
signed to the local boards and boards
In districts surrounding Richmond.
Major Schmitter has had wide and
varied experience in examinations to
determine the physical fitness OF ap.
plicants for admission to the army and
was able to give the physicians who
attended the meetings at the Gray's
Armory many helpful hints as to what
the government desires in the APP
proachine draft, and how the reg
istrant's fitness could be most easily
and quickly determined.
The task OF the doctors should prove
easier Of solution in the case OF tho
present draft than In the one which
preceded II. for in the first draft they
had but two a!ternatives-either . man
was tit for active service or he was
not. BY this system the government
lost the services of many splendid
soldier. for men who were Undoubtedly
fitted for service at the front had to
be used to All clerical and similar posi-
tons. This error has been corrected,
however, as regards the present draft
for the doctors have been given more
latitude and were advised by Major
Schmitter to consider the applicants in
three groups, those fitted for active
service abroad, those not lifted for ser
vice of vigorous nature, but whose
trimming and health would fit them for
service rs clerks or positions behind
the lines and those totally unfit.
Thus almost all the men who are in
the necessary physical condition can
serve at the front and positions which
would formerly have had to be filled
from their ranks. can be satisfac-
torily filled by men as well qualified
TO perform these duties, but not robust
enough 10 render satisfactory ser
vice in the first line.
DOUBTFUL CASES
TO DE SENT TO CAMP
All phases of the physical examina-
ton were taken up and any points that
might cause doubt or that were OBJ
scurely stated were explained. If the
doctors should encounter any cases
which were considered doubtful Major
Schmitter advised that these be sent on
to camp whera the army surgeons could
make final disposition of the cases.
Another notary has been reported to
the draft boards who has not been
out their questionnaires without charg.
ing for his services. He Is II. j. VIII
liams. of Church Hill, and George w.
Rogers, chairman OF board I, wishes to
advise the registered men in his district
that there are plenty OF patriotic
lawyers at the Office of the local board
who will gladly render any assistance
necessary without charge.
The chairman OF board 3, with head
Tar In ftra x-cs {r bod ~.
in need Of n stenographer or clerk for
a few days. and would greatly appre-
ciate X II any one qualified would
communicate with him to-day. The
telephone number Of the board Is Ran
dolph 377s.
The following names are those OF
registrants whose missionaries have
been returned undelivered. and as yes
terday was the last day of grace for
turning in these forms filled out, any
man ot draft age who has not received
his copy should visit his local board
to-day without fail and explain the
situation to one OF the members OF the
board:
Exemption Board No. I.
q. +. Corbett. 2so5 West Cary Street
Ambrose G. Yetton, 1lo3 West Main
Street.
James Lewis. Second and Arch
Streets.
william NJ. Stanley. sos South Belvi-
dere Street.
James Z. Htghsmith, 2i6 South Third
Street.
Exemption Hoard No. 3.
Andrew woodbridge. 1907 Porter
Street.
Edward Roland Dollings, AS West
Fifteenth Street.
John King, 1872 East Rose Street.
m
Cestone Pasquale, oIo East Clay
Street.
James Suckey. l1e North Seventeenth
Street.
Alexander Chorly. 33l East Fourth
Street.
William 7. Sechrest, r. r. Y. NJ. G.. A.
sn M - ~ 90 CO. ~