South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-02-05
18PERCENT OF
MEN IN ACES
IN j. 6. SERVICE
Gen. Crowder Issues Report
on Draft Showing Nations
Manhood 70 Percent
Physically Fit.
BY United Press

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5.-The
United States was ready to increase
its fighting force to 7,131.172 men
during 1919 IL the war had con-
tinued. Provost Marshal Gen Crow
der today stated in his annual re-
port to congress.
A reserve of 2,34O.000 class one
men was waiting 10 be modified
when the armistice was signed. the
report stated, the armed strength of
the nation then being 4,791.17 men.
When war was declared the armed
strength was 37S.619 men.
Two out Of every three men in
uniform were raised through the
draft. Crowder stated, the total
number inducted during the war be-
ing 2,s10.296. Every one was taken
from class one.
Only IS percent OF the men of
military age, IS 10 As. were in the
service. the report stated, while Eng
land contributed SO percent Of her
available fighters.
In all 24,234.O21 men were reg
istered by the great draft sS stem
for military service Seven percenf
was the maximum percentage of
men taken from any one industry
The farmers were treated better
than any other workers, SO percent
OF those registered being granted de-
ferred classification. Comparatively
few married men were taken. the
records showing that 50 percent OF
them were deferred.
Physically the nation is 20 per
cent perfect, according TO the draft
examiners. This is the percentage OF
the men found fit. This does not in
clude the limited service men OF
those whose defects could he remed-
led.
Middle West Best Fit.
The highest percentages OF ply
sical fitness come from the middle
west Oklahoma led the nation with
50 percent, closely followed by Ar
kansas. Kansas, Nebraska, WyOm-
ing, Texas and North Dakota. Rhode
Island and Arizona show the largest
percentages of physically unfit, with
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Yer
mont, New York and Washington
close. Rhode Island had only 50
percent perfect. and New York. sc
percent. Liquor was the smallest fac
tor in causing physical reflections
the percentage being only one tenth
of one percent. Heart troubles, eyes
tuberculosis and mental defects
brought the largest number of re-
jections, each claiming more than 1C
percent Of the total disqualified. Flat
feet took only Is percent.
Gen. Crowder's work or fight
order forced 10000 men either into
the army or useful work and his
drive on the Stacker marriages add
ed $4,000 men to class one. Eight
cen thousand walters alone changed
their work, as did 1900 clerical
workers. More than 295,OO0 are still
claSsed as deserters by the provost
marshal generals office. having fail
ed 10 answer calls or register. About
$1,000 have been apprehended
Eight thousand cOnvicts or ex-pris-
oners were indicted and their rec
ords show they have made fine fight
ing men.
Gen. Crowder closes his report
with a tribute to all who helped
make the draft a success. The totaI
cost OF the draft was only $4,000
600 and Gen. Crowder had S3s,00G,
600 in appropriations waiting to &c
back 10 the treasury. The pre-ca pita
cost OF the inducements were S6.5-
as compared with S217 in the SOS
The cost OF enlisting a volunteer was
s2S.95 during the operation of the
draft.