Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1918-05-31
70 CALL DRAFT lG::
MEN WITHOUT LIMIT
UNLIMITED POWER TO PRESI-
DENT TO lNcRiN9E ARMY
TO SIZE HE SEES FIT.
EVERY MAN TO WORK OR fight
Drastic Amendment to SeIectlve Serv-
Ice Law Touching Habltual oilers
and Non-UsefuI Workers.

Washington. -Two important steps
were taken toward perfecting the
task Of putting the nation on war
basis.
Soon after Provost Marshal Cen
eral Crowder had promulgated
drastic amendment to the selective
service regulations requiring every
man OF draft age to work or fight,
Secretary Baker appeared before the
house military committee and asked
that President Wilson be authorized
to call to the colors all men Of draft
age who can be equipped and trained.
The committee promptly and unani-
mously voted the authority into the
army appropriation bill about to be
reported to the house,
Under existing law power Is slven
to draft one million fighting men, in
addition to special units. This limit
soon will be reached with men con-
stantly going into camp to replace
those sailing for France as fast as
ships can be provided 10 take them.
General CroWder's new regulation
is far-reachng In scope and touches
not only habitual oilers, but also rs
quires that draft regstrants now in
occupations held to be non.useful
seek new Jobs or take their places In
the army. Clerks in stores, walters,
bartenders, employees at places Of
amusement, passenger elevator men
and other employs around hotels,
clubs and business buildings as well
as gamblers, fortune tellers and race
track and bucket shop attendants all
fall among those classed as non.use-
fully engaged Enforcement OF the
rule is expected to add some men to
the army and to do a more important
service in improving the labor situa.
ton in essential industries.
The house military committees ac-
ton after hearing Secretary Baker
completed the army bill, with provi-
sion for the pay of 100000 men and
with ordnance appropriations on the
basis OF an army of 100000. The
measure will be laid before the house
carrying a total OF $9,569,l29,00O of
actual appropriations, and authorize
ton for contracts amounting to ST.
AGA 10000 more
May Mean Five Millions.
Mr.. Baker told the committee in
executive session the Presidents rea-
sons for asking that no limit be
placed upon the number OF draft men
to be called Members said later it
was estimated that an army of 5OOO-
coo could be raised without changing
the draft ages.
The new regulation also will at.
feet the following classes:
"(a) Persons engaged in the serv.
ing of food and drink, or either. in
public places including hotels and so.
rial clubs.
"(b) Passenger elevator operators
and attendants, doormen. footmen
and other attendants of clubs, hotels,
stores apartment houses, office build.
ngs and bath houses.
"(c) Persons, including ushers and
other attendants, engaged and occu-
pied in, and in connection with games,
sports and amusements, excepting &C.
ual performers in legitimate con.
'erts. operas or theatrical perform.
lnces
I'D Persons employed in domestic
,cience.
"(e) Sales clerks and other clerks
Employed in stores and other mercan.
lie establishments.
Men who are engaged as above or
Who are idlers will not be permitted
o seek relief because OF the fact
hat they have drawn a late order
lumber or because they have been
placed in class 2, or on the
rounds of dependents. The fact that
lie is not usefully employed will out,
Weigh both of the above conditions"