The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-03-12
SECOND DRAFT
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forthwith induct him into military
service if his order number has been
reached in the meantime. The effect
of this expedient is to grant furloughs
from service prior to actual call to the
colors to the men so greatly needed in
the production of this years crop.
This is not, however, the only ex-
pedient that is to be adopted to con-
serve the supply of labor appurtenant
to agriculture and to mobilize all
means for increasing the harvest for
the agricultural season of 1918
There is now pending before con-
gress a bill authorizing the secretary
of war to grant furloughs with or
without pay to men in the army to
enable them to engage in industrial
and agricultural pursuits. These fur
loughs will be granted after consider
alton of the circumstances of the in
dividual case in which they arise and
-When the military situation is such
that they can be granted without too
great disruption and disorganization of
the army or of any particular organi-
cation of the army.
Provision for 'Aggie" Students.
las to further means to protect ae-
r1cuiture new regulation has been
promulgated authorizing agricultural
students in their senior years in land
grant colleges to enlist in the enlisted
reserve corps of the quartermaster's
department provided their class stand
ing is such as to place them in the
upper third of their class. By this
means it will be possible to defer the
draft call of such young men in order
to enable them to perfect themselves
as agriculturists and thereafter to pro-
tect them in such services as it may
seem that they should perform in the
best interests of the nation
THE whole industrial and agricul-
tural situation is being subject to a
very comprehensive study in order to
discover any means that may be taken
to protect and augment the labor sup
ply appurtenant to industry and agri-
culture without precluding the prompt
and orderly progress of our military
plans. 1t is confidently believed that
great progress can be made along this
line and that more effective mea sures
than any yet devised can be put into
operation to attain the desired end
Is a War of Mechanics.
1T must be emphasized that this is
a war of mechanics. The need of the
several armed forces for men highly
skilled in technical and mechanical
pursuits is greater than in any former
war. Yet this need for specially
skilled men finds the nation under a
necessity for increasing its production
in almost every line of industry
Withdrawals of men from industry
must be made and these Withdrawals
must take men who might otherwise
be deferred on account of their spe-
cial qualifications and skill. The nee
essary numbers of such skilled men
will be obtained in one of three ways:
First, men already in the military
service who have such special skill
will be taken from the line regiments
and assigned to the staff organizations
and department where their skill is
needed.
second, men classified by the Sc
| lection boards even tho they may have
been placed in a deferred classified.
ton, will be withdrawn with grea
care and particularly from the indus
| tries of the nation for special service
| in staff corps and departments.
Third, young men of draft age
with certain educational qualification.
will be indicted into the service ant
sent to universities. colleges and tech