Evening star., 1940-09-17
Presidents Statement
Points Out Four Steps
Of SeIective Service
The teyt OF the statement issued

LIG LeBL o. Lte StutcUteHL SSueu
late yesterday by President
Roosevelt in connection Uith
signing OF the draft bill tolloBS
America has adopted selective
service in time OF peace, and, in do
ing so, has broadened and enriched
our basic concept of citizenship.
Beside the clear democratic ideals
of equal rights, equal privileges and
equal opportunities, We have set
forth the underlying other duties,
obligations and responsibilities OF
equal service.
In thus providing for national de-
fense, we have not carved a new
and uncharted trail in the history of
our democratic institutions. On the
contrary, we have merely reasserted
an old and accepted principle of
democratic government. The militia
system, the self-armed citizenry
with the obligation of military serv-
ice incumbent upon every free man,
has its roots in the old common law.
1t was brought to this continent by
our forefathers. 1t was an accepted
institution in colonial days. At the
time of the adoption OF the Federal
Constitution, nine of the l3 States
explicitly provided for universal
service in theikuAx1c 1arsks = { ss-ss.7
In those days little was required
in the way Of equipment and train
ing for the man In arms. The
average American had his f1intlock
and knew how to use it. In ADD
ton, he was healthy. strong ana
accustomed to hardship. When he
reported for military duty he
brought with him his musket and
his powder horn. His daily life
Injured him to the rigors of war
fare
Four Steps Provided.
Today, the art Of war calls for a
wide variety Of technical weapons.
Modern life does not emphasize the
qualities demanded of soldiers.
Moreover, behind the armed forces
we must have a munitions Industry
as a part of an economic system
capable of providing the fighting
man with his full requirements of
arms and equipment. Many indlvl-
duals, therefore, may serve their
country best by holding their posts
on the production line. The object
of selective service is to provide men
| for our Army and Navy and at the
same time disturb as little as pos
sible the normal life of the Nation.
Selective service consists Of four
steps, which singly and in the group.
have been developed to operate with
the fairness and justice charac-
teristic of free, democratic institu-
tions. These steps are: Registra-
ton, classification, selection and in
duction.
Wednesday, October 16, has been
set aside on which day every male
between 81 and IS, inclusive, will be
expected to report to neighbor-
hood precinct to fill out registra-
ton card and registration certifi-
cate. The certificate issued to the
individual will be carried by him
as a testimonial to his acceptance
of the fundamental obligation of
citizenship. The registration card
will be forwarded to the county clerk
or similar official and will be de-
nvered by him to the local Selective
Service Board. These boards, con-
sisting of three men, each appointed
by the President, upon recon-
mendations of the State Governors.
will be set up in more than 5000
communities. When the States no
tify the national director of selective
service that all of the local boards
have completed this work, national
drawing by lot will determine the
order of priority Of the registrants
in each local board area. The ma
tional priority list will be furnished
to the local boards and the corre-
spending order of selection will be
entered on the registration cards
in their custody.
Drawing Establishes Priority.
The priority established by the
drawing will determine the order
in which questionnaires will be
mailed to the registrants. Upon re-
.ceipt of these questionnaires the
registrants will enter on these forms
pertinent facts on the basis of which
their final classification will be de-
termined.
There will be organized in every
community in our Nation advisory
boards for registrants. composed Of
patriotic citizens, civilian volunteers,
to assist registrants in presenting
fairly the facts to be used in de-
termining the place Of each indi-
vidual in the scheme of national
defense.
After the return Of these ques-
tionnaires, the local board, after due
consideration, will place the regis
trants in one Of four classes. In
class l will be those who are avail
able for immediate service; in class
2. those who are deferred because of
the essential character of the serv-
ice they are rendering in their pres
ent occupations; in class those
individuals who should be deferred