Evening star., 1941-07-14
Draft Lottery
Numbers Placed
In Capsules
Auto Assembly Line
Method Used for
Speed, Accuracy

rive SlIlS tUudy DcSdll LlScl llllS
300 consecutive numbers in capsules
in preparation for the second selec-
tive service lottery at pm. Thurs
day.
The numbers, as they are drawn
from the historic goldfish bowl
which was used in the World War
draft lottery and the first selective
service lottery will determine the
sequence in which approximately
100000 21-year-olds will be called by
their local boards.
Local selective service headquart-
ers announced, meanwhile. that all
local draft boards had posted the
serial numbers of the 2l-year-olds.
BY learning their serial numbers,
the new registrants will know when
their number is drawn during the
lottery.
Using automobile assembly line
methods for speed and accuracy, the
five girl employees of selective service
headquarters worked in a room at
the national headquarters under
the supervision of Maj Richard P.
Davidson, who has charge of oper-
alton Of the lottery.
Each of the girls worked at an
assembly board that had been slotted
to hold Is capsules. The numbers
were printed in black ink on light
cardboard.
Cellulose Type Provided.
Profiting by experience at the
first selective service lottery. when
the inhammable material of the
capsules caused concern, a new type
of capsule, composed of cellulose
acetate. has been provided. The
non-inflammable substance is the
same as that used for the manufac-
ture of safety notion picture films.
The new capsules. melon-colored
to correspond with the July l reg
istration cards. also have screw
caps, which will not become de-
tached when the capsules are stirred
in the goldfish bowl.
AS soon as the capsules have been
filled they will be conveyed by ar
mored car to vault in the Treas
ury. They will be under constant
guard there until removed to the
Departmental Auditorium and
placed in the bowl Thursday eve
ming.
The numbers drawn in the lottery
tr-i11 of no l,n ~,
which the July l registrants will be
integrated by each local board
among its old registrants. This in
tegration will be proportionate
among the old registrants who have
order numbers larger than the last
selectee; inducted before June 80.
Urged to Seek Commissions.
Meanwhile, Brig. Gen Albert l..
Cox. District director of selective
service, advised medical students
and internes who a!e selective serv-
ice registrants to crdeavor to obtain
commissions in the Medical Reserve
Corps of the Army.
Gen. Cox called attention to a re-
cent War Department announce
ment that male medical students
who have completed more than two
years in a Grade A medical school
in the United States ale eligible for
commissions as second lieutenants IN
the Medical Administrative Corps
Reserve and physically qualified in
ternes may be commissioned as first
| lieutenants in the Medical Corps
! Reserves"
1nterneS, he said. would be COM
missioned with the understanding
/ that they will be ordered to one
years active duty Immediately upon
completion of their interneship;
While, except for an emergency re-
] quiring their immediate services.
medical students would be permitted
to finish their schooling and in
/ terneship before being called tc
active duty.
/ Students and internes who wish tc
apply for Medical Reserve Corps
commissions. Zen. Cox said. should
make applica on to the commanding
! general, Sd Corps Area. Baltimore
] Gen. Cox pointed out that Ma
tional Selective Service Headquar.
ters has proclaimed a policy of de-
ferment from military training oI
individual medical students who
give reasonable promise of becoming
acceptable medical DOCTORS" regard
less OF whether or not they hace ap.
piled for Medical Reserve Corps
commissions.