Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-07-08
PROBE DRAFT
In FIFTH WARD
Witnesses in Six Cases on
Hand When Grand Jury
Resumes Inquiry
SCAN NEW RECISTRANTS
Local Boards Rush Examina.
tions in Expectation of Big
Call in August
SCAN NEW RECISTRANTS

The special Federal Grand Jury cali
ed to investigate charges of draft ir-
regularitics was reconvened this after
noon at the Federal Building after a
recess since last Tuesday. Witnesses in
six cases in the Fifth Ward were on
hand.
It was said to be the plan OF the Gov
Of supposed draft irregularities. that
Frog Hollow" politics was responsible
for conditions said to have developed in
the Fifth Ward on registration day.
The work Of preparing the June draft
registrants for early induction into the
army got under way with a rush to-
day. when virtually every local board
in the city began examining the men
preparatory to the big draft call In
August
with the prospect of more than
400. 900 additional men being called this
month and considerably more in August,
the new order is a preliminary step to-
ward rapid mobilization as soon as the
calls are issued.
Crowder Asks Early Reports
The local draft boards will send out
requests for the men to appear for ex-
aminations and to push work as rapidly
as possibIe General Crowder has
asked for report on the number of
men physically qualified to enter the
service from each draft board as soon
as he can get 1t.
Definite statements as to the number
of men that will be called during the
hpen
nounced From an unofficial but re-
liable source 1t is understood this num-
Der will be about 100000 men.
The most difficult work, says Secre-
tary Eccle, Local Board No. 81. Twenty
second street and Hunting Park ave-
nue.. is TO keep accurate tabs on the
number Of new registrantS who desire
to enter service Immediately or who
have already procured their release
from the beard and joined the army or
navy.
Ball Players Affected
Draft registrants in Philadelphia who
make baseball their profession VIII be
placed in class Al unless they change
their employment. 1t was learned from
Secretary ECCle and Secretary Nagel of
Board No. IS. Park and Lehigh ave-
nues. under whose jurisdiction many Of
the professional, ball players in this city
will come.
This order will have little effect on
the two local big league clubs as ap-
pIied to this city Only one player will
be affected But If it is criterion on
which to base the action of boards in
other sections of the country it prob
ably would mean the disbanding Of both
the Athletics ard Phillies.
George Burns, rrst baseman of the
Athletics, is the only member of that
team living IN Philadelphia and subject
to the draft. Harry Pearce, second
baseman ot the Philles. has wife
and several children. If the rule is en-
forced he viii have to change his oc-
cupatior or be drafted. Many minor
league players will be affected,
Joe Bush. pitcher; Wally Schang.
catcher. and Amos Strunk, outfielder,
PLAYERS -vho were recently sold to the
Boston team by the Athletic manage
ment, live here and will be affected by
the order. All three are married.
Indications late today were that the
Grand Jury would complete its invest
CATION tomorrow night or Wednesday, at
the latest.
Harry Roth, clerk of Local Board No.
4. which Is located in the Fifth Ward,
brought records and affidavts bearing
on the recent registration before the
Grand Jury for its examination this
afternoon. Among those cases to which
these records related, 1t was said. was
that Of the son of Morris Rasky, 125
Pemberton street Both Rasky and his
wife were summoned before the jury.
They refused to discuss the case after
they were excused.