The Pulaskian. (Pulaski Heights [Little Rock], Ark.) 1915-1929, 1919-05-23
PULASKI HEIGHTS OFFICER HAD
CHARGE OF STATE DRAFT


privileged to answer the first call on
September 1, 1917, the date set. This
date, however as later moved up to
September 5, 1917, on account of the
then existing traffic conditions.
'By the middle of December, 1917,
Arkansas had filled its first gross
quota of 17,452 men by having fur
nished 7,155 volunteers and 1O,267
selected men at cost of $3.50 per
man, this cost being exactly equal to
the national average cost per man.
In order to fill this quota, boards had
called for examination 1921 men
and had finally accepted 11,695, or
1888 per cent of the number called.
Of these not finally accepted 14,746
were deferred on grounds of depend
ency and 11,780 were found to be
physically disqualified.
''In the matter of volunteers dur
ing the period of the first draft, Ar
kansas led all southern states in that
she was the only southern state to
exceed the national average ratio of
enlistment credits to gross quota.
The national percentage being 40.42
per cent, while ours was 40.99 per
cent.
The selective boards in this state
which performed these exacting
duties were in most counties COM
posed of the sheriff, the county clerk
and tn ecounty health officer. Between
the time of organization and
November II, 1913, designations have
been permitted, however, so that the
personnel of more than SO per cent of
the original boards hav changed. On
October 81, 1913, Arkansas was
credited with 65,311 men in the fed
eral service. Of these, 1859 were
volunteers in the army, 4,025 volun-
teers in the navy, and 275 volunteers
in Marine Corps.
son June 5, 1918, the exhaustion
of class one being eminent, it was
ordered from Washington that an
other registration be held at which
all male persons who had during the
year intervening since the first regis
tration, reached the age of 81, should
be enrolled for service, and again on
August "a, 1918, this condition was
met by holding a third registration.
On these two dates, Arkansas added
1906 names to its registration lists,
bringing its total up to 168,302.
Promptly after each of these regis
trations the entire forces connected
with the administration of the selec-
tive service law in the state would at
tack with renewed vim the task of
classifying and examining the new
registrants and no respite was asked
or granted until the work was COM
pleted.
"On August 81, 1918, Congress
passed the law amending and extend
ing the draft ages and the president
Immediately set September IL, 1918,
as the date for what proved to be the
final registration. All the old organ
izations and much new and improved
system was called upon to conduct
this registration. On September 12,
1913, Arkansas registered 197,6O2,
thus bringing her total registration
to 365,000. Of these 260,919 were
white and 104,835 were colored.
The highest total registration for
any one county, exclusive of Pulaski,
was 1850 for Mississippi county.
The total registration in Pulaski
county was 24,634, but this was
divided among four boards, two city
boards and two county boards. The
lowest total registration was in Stone
county.
"The highest total men accepted at
camp, again exclusive of Pulaski
county, was reached in Phillips
county, the total being 1851. The
lowest total was from Marion county.
The four boards in Pulaski county in
ductad 100 ,oox, ,,