Secretary of War letter to the Chairman, Committee on Military Affairs, U.S., Senate - April 25, 1917; Telegram to all Governors - April 30, 1917
Transcript
FB DEN April 25, 1917. The Chairman, Committee on Military Affairs, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. Sir: I am enclosing herewith a copy of letter and enclosure sent this date to the Committee on Military Affairs, United States Senate. Very respectfully, [Stamped] Newton D. Baker Secretary of War. Enclosures. Original mailed from Office of Chief of Staff Copy furnished Alp.
Transcript
[Enclosure] TELEGRAM TO ALL GOVERNORS. April 30, 1917. Bill has passed both houses and will go to conference on minor points of difference to-day. The form in which bill has passed enables me to confirm to you the plan outlined in my letter of the twenty-third instant to have one registration board for each county composed of local officials as far as possible. Local officials to compose boards in each State to be named by Governor thereof. Bear in mind that exemptions will not be determined at time of registration but will be deferred until a later date when quotas are assigned and selective draft ordered. Actual registration to be in voting precincts by registrars appointed by county boards. Where States law provides a personnel of registration for precincts, it will be advisable that county boards utilize such personnel. In cities of over thirty thousand the duties prescribed for county boards will be performed by the necessary members of city boards to be named by the mayor. Trust you can go ahead with preliminary steps. Full printed regulations covering every detail of National, State, county, and precinct systems and duties of all officers and persons will be mailed on day of approval of act. Baker, Secretary.
Details
| Title | Secretary of War letter to the Chairman, Committee on Military Affairs, U.S., Senate - April 25, 1917; Telegram to all Governors - April 30, 1917 |
| Creator | Baker, Newton D. |
| Source | Secretary of War letter to the Chairman, Committee on Military Affairs, U.S., Senate - April 25, 1917; Baker, Newton D. Telegram to all Governors. 30 April 1917. Crowder, Enoch H. (1859-1932), Papers, 1884-1942. C1046. The State Historical Society of Mi |
| Description | This telegram informed all governors of the States that the Selective Service Act had been passed, and told them to begin developing registration boards for each county. This letter is part of a collection compiled by Enoch Herbert Crowder, the Edinburg, Grundy County, Missouri native who served as Judge Advocate General. Crowder devised the Selective Service Act in 1917 which drafted America's forces during World War I. |
| Subject LCSH | Crowder, E. H. (Enoch Herbert), 1859-1932; Baker, Newton, 1871-1937; United States. Army--Recruiting, enlistment, etc.-- World War, 1914-1918; Draft |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Selective Service Act of 1917 |
| Site Accession Number | C1046 |
| Contributing Institution | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the State Historical Society of Missouri: 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65201-7298. (573) 882-7083. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | n.d. |
| Language | English |