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THE AMERICUS TIMES-RECORDER
THIRTY-NINTH YEAR.
WILL PROCEED IMMEDIATELY WITH THE
ORGANIZATION OF NEW NATIONAL ARMY
Drawing of Registrants Completed In Six
teen Hours With Only One Error
To Mar Smoothness, of
• Important Operation
EXEMPTION BOARD EXPECTEO TO COMMENCE WORK
Os SELECTING ELIGIBLE_MEN WITHIN TEN CMS
Stupendous Task of Communicating Result
Os Drawing to Waiting Nation
Handled Mo& Efficiently
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 21.
With ten million men listed in the or
der of their liability to service, the fed
eral government began today its last
task of preparation for organization of
a selective draft army—the task of
determining who among those com
prising it shall be exempted. The
drawing to determine who snail first
be liable for service ended early to
day, after it had been in progress with
out interruption for more than sixteen
hours, and while the officials in charge
rested from their long vigil others took
up the tabulation of the official figures
for forwarding to local exemption
boards over the country. Most of this
work, it is hoped to complete before
the day is over, so that the local au
thorities can be given their instruc
tions early next week.
Within ten days the men who are
subject to the president’s order for
mobilization of a war quota of 687,000
men may be appearing before their
bqards for examination and for deci
sion as 4o exemption. Twice 687,000
are to be summoned by the boards on
the theory that two registrants must
be examined for every soldier accepted,
and the number each registration dis
trict must furnish has been carefully
worked out.
The single error came to light near
the end of the drawing this morning,
when a blank was found where there
should have been a number in one of
the 10,500 capsules by which the war
time fortunes of America’s youth were
determined. It did not materially in
terfere with the working out of the
lottery, however, and all officials
agreed that it could work no injustice
to any registrant. It means only a
temporary complication, they said, and
in no way impairs the equality of the
lottery.
Scarcely had the historic event thus
reached its close than the news of the
last drawing had been flashed over the
country. The telegraphic feat of
transmitting the 10,500 numbers as
rapidly as they were drawn was pro
nounced by officials today as among
the most notable features of the
whole process. The Associated Press
virtually cleared its wires of other
matter and gave the right of way to
dfejhe draft numbers from the start of
drawing, with the result that
newspapers everywhere were able to
give their readers promptly the lists
of those chosen in the various local
districts.
Some mistakes were unavoidable,
however, for in some respects the of
ficial tellers' reports were at variance
and a comparison and rectification
was proceeding today. The rule fol
lowed was that agreement in the rec
ords of two of the three tellers in any
case should be sufficient to show that
the variation was the mistake of the
third. All the records of the drawing
will be rectified before the official
reports are forwarded to local boards.
THE NEWS WHILE IT IS NEWS-COMPREHENSIVE LOCAL AND TELEGRAPHIC SERVICE—THE HOME PAPER PAR EXCELLENCE
POST OFFICE FDD
U.S.TROOPS IS NEIN
FEITUDEJF WAR
AMERICAN TRAINING CAMP, in
France, July 21. —The latest develop
ment of She camp is a postoffice which
will enable men to mail letters either
home, or to any point in the world,
to aeep in constant communication
with friends without revealing their ex
act whereabouts, without the tell-tale
cancellation mark on envelopes and to
receive mail either from families or
friends who do not know what the des
tination of their letters may be. The
system will be enlarged to fit needs.
At present it consists in requiring
of each soldier or officer that he ad
dr<: c his communications of every na
ture from the American training camp
a id deposit them in a special postoffice,
from where they will be taken by
pouch to Paris, whence it will be for
warded to the proper address.
When the troops left their base they
took with them surplus supplies which
are being turned back to the quarter
master’s department headquarters for
re-distribution so that there will soon
be more than enough of such things as
tobacco and similar little luxuries
which have Been somewhat scarce
among the troops and sections.
Each succeeding day r brings a better
degree of order and system out of the
inevitable confusion attendant upon
moving a large body of troops. Offi
cers who billeted among the inhabi
tants are still billeting at the moderate
prices that prevail for the majority.
They may be requested to pay one
franc daily for quarters and provided
they eat at a “hotel” expend 7 francs
daily fur excellent food.
Prices are thus kept low to prevent
a repetition of events early in the war
when allied troops in French territory
accustomed to the city prices all but
spoiled the French population by pay
ing what seemed to them moderate
rates, but really enormous rates for
everything.
■ —— -
MOVIE FANS WILL NOT
M DISAPPOINTED AGAIN
Over 700 people were disappointed
when William Farnum failed to arrive
at the Opera House about two weeks
ago in “A Tale of Two Cities,” Charles
Dickens’ immortal story of the French
Revolution, but there will be no dis
appointment this time. Manager Dud
ley has Tuesday, July 24th, for this
magnificent production, and a treat is
ir. store for all lovers in the very best
[in pictures. In another column will be
[found cast of characters, time of show,
A PAPER rO R ALL THE PEOPLE
AMERICUS, GEORGIA, SUNDAY MORNING JULY 22. 1917
‘‘SHUCK UNITS” OF
GERMAN M ARE
UNMARRIED MEN
FRENCH FRONT, July 21.—Full and
interesting details of the organization
of the German formations known as
“Strosstruppen,” or “shock units,” in
dicate that the German army at the
front is divided into superior and in
ferior grades of soldiers. The “shock
units” specially formed for difficult
operations which the ordinary regi
ments evidently are regarded as un
qualified to undertake, are formed
from among the young, vigorous men
of the regular battalions. They are
nearly all unmarried men, or if mar
ried, are childless and this regulation
has been drafted for the reason that
whenever they are sent into action they
encounter overwhelming chances of
losing their lives. They, in fact, re
semble the “forlorn hopes” of old time
wars, except that they are not volun
teers.
German prisoners assert that sol
diers who are insubordinate or who
do not take kindly to the discipline of
the army are sent into the ranks of
these special units destined to sacrifice
themselves in attacks on specially im
portant positions or in attempts, which
hitherto have generally proved vain,
to recapture positions such as the
Chemin-Des-Dames from the French.
Battalions of Shock Units.
Until now each German army has
attached.to it one or two battalions of
the “shock units.” Henceforth, ac
cording to the newest regulations, each
German army corps is to organize a
“shock unit” of its own. Orders have
been issued by the German high com
mand that in certain cases each in
fantry brigade is to have a “shock
unit” composing a company and the
companies may be united should cir
cumstances call for it, into a battal
ion to be at the service of the army
corps commander.
The composition of such a battalion
varies, but that of the second “shock
battalion” of the third German army
may be given as an example. It 'Ups
commanded by a captain with a lieu
tenant as adjutant, and it consisted
of four companies, each mustering one
hundred men with three officers. There
was besides a company of machine
gunners with six pieces, also a mixed
company with trench mortars and gren
are throwers, as well as a company of
en with implements for dispensing a
liquid fire. Added to these was a
‘ shock” battery of small field guns.
These “shock units” are never used
lor holding a section of the line. They
TEUTONS CHOOSE
WAR IS REPLY
OF LLOYD GEORGE
LONDON, July 21.—Premier Lloyd
George said today that the speech in
the reichstag of Dr. Michaelis, the new
I German chancellor, meant that if Ger
| any -were victorious there would be
annexation all around and that the
military autocracy would be establish
ed more firmly than ever. The speech
showed, the premier asserted, that
those in charge of affairs in Germany
had for the moment made the choice
tor war.
I The premier said the statement of
I Er. Michaelis contained phrases which
! would be understood by the military
j powers of Germany. Unless these were
j wiped out. he added, they would again
plunge Europe into a welter of blood.
( “We can’t make peace with a Ger
many dominated by autocracy,” declar
ed Premier Lloyd-George. “The war
i now becomes a struggle between two
definite groups of national ideals. Sig
( nificant in this respect is the news
announced today of the accession of
I that brilliant Russian statesman, Ke-
Irensky, to the leadership of Russian
,democracy.”
, “I don’t wish Germany to harbor any
delusion,” Mr. Lloyd-George continued,
‘‘that Great Britain will be put out of
the fight until full liberty has been es.j
tablished. I predict it will not be long
before the German chancellor delivers
a different speech, and that is the one
for which w are waiting.”
Mr. Lloyd-George said the food sup
ply f trohe 1917-18 period had already
been secured and that a program of
cultivation had been arranged to make
the supply for the following year se
sure, even if losses increased.
go into action only when a difficult
operation is to be executed. The bat
talion is placed directly under the or
ders of the officer in command of the
operation.
When possible, the men are provided
with bicycles, but usually they are
transferred in fast motor cars. After!
part of the men of such a battalion are
d'stributed in small units among the
ordinary battalions engaged. They are
specially instructed before hand as to
the most important points aimed at,
in the attack and they act as guides!
to their less specialized comrades [
Their work is to make breaches in the|
enemy lines, to lead the way into
allies’ trenches, to destroy machine |
gun emplacements and field fortresses ■
with the help of the special cannon i
and other weapons at their disposal,
and eventually to aid in the re-organi
zation for defense against counter at
tack of any position which may be cap
tured, 1
As soon as the heavy fighting is ove!
| the men of the "shock unit” still re
maining alive, withdraw to the rear
and rejoin the rest of the battalion. 1
in readiness to be hurried off to any
other part of the line where the wort
is in progress.
PLAINS SHIPS MftHY
CARLQAOS OF MELONS
/
/More than 80 carloads of watermel
ons have been shipped from Plains
thus far this season and the end of
the crop is not yet in sight, it is ex
pected that the shipments to north
ern and eastern markets will continue
p'or a week or ten days. /
I The melon-growing industry has in -
.creased remarkably in the Plains sec
tion since last year, several hundred
1 acres having been planted. The mel
I ons have been bringing good prices and
growers are well satisfied with the re
sults thus far secured.
DEATH CLAIMS DID
BESIDEITJF CITI
The death of William Henry Rudolph
Schroeder, one of the best known and
highly esteemed residents of Aericus,
occurred last night at his residence
312 North Jackson street, at 7 o’clock.
The end was not entirely unexpected,
as Mr. Schroeder had been seriously ill (
for three weeks with an attack of
pneumonia, and his condition yesterday
became so critical as to indicate that
his chance of recovery was practically
eliminated.
For the past 26 years Mr. Schroeder
had resided in Americus, removing
from Atlanta, where for 8 years he
was connected with the old established
firm of Hunnicutt & Bellingrath. He
entered into the plumbing business, the
original firm being Schroeder & Strick
land, while after a few years it be
came Schroeder & Mahoney, finally
evolving into its present status as W.
H R. Schroeder & Son.
Mr. Schroeder was born in Ham
burg Germany, 74 years ago and came
tv the United States when a young
man of 21, becoming an American citi
zen by naturalization without delay.
His long residence in Americus made
him a familiar figure in this section
and his sterling character, coupled
with an unfailing joviality of nature,
| brought him the highest esteem of a
multitude of warm friends to whom
his death will prove a matter of sin
cere sorrow.
He was a member of the Lutheran
church, and was affiliated with the B.
P. 0. E., being a member of Americus
I.odge, No. 752.
Mr. Schroeder is survived by his
wife, three daughters, Mrs. J. H. Thur
man, of Americus; Mrs. M. J. Redmond,
of Brunswick, and Miss Joanna Schroe
der, of Americus, and one son, Julius,
also of this city.
The funeral services will be held
this afternoon at 3:30 o’clock from his
late residence. Rev. C. A. Phillips, of
Plains, officiating, interment being
made in Oak Grove cemetery.
The pallbearers will be Crawford i
Wheatley. W. E. Mitchell, R. E. Me-'
Nulty, C. H. Burke. C. J. Sherlock I
and Paul E. Westbrook.
VERDICT OF 01.500
AGAINST HOIIII
A jury in the City Court yester
day afternoon rendered a verdict
awarding $1,500 damages to Frances
Hart, a negro woman, against the
Seaboard Air Line railroad. The case
was placed on trial Friday and con j
siderable evidence introduced.
The action was brought to recover (
for the death of George Hart, a fire-j
man who was killed on July 6, 1916.
' a the overhead bridge on Lee street
[in this city. The fireman was run-!
ning on the train from Savannah due]
in Americus at 11:30 p. m., ana j-ast
before the engine passed under the'
overhead bridge, be climbed to the
I top of the tender, his head striking!
| the top of the structure, causing
practically instant death.
The suit was brought to recover'
$14,000 from'the railroad, but when]
the case came to trial, it was found
that Frances Hart had removed to
Connecticut and could not be found
to appear in court. J. A. Hixon ana
Harry Hawkins, attorneys for the
plaintiff, carried the trial through in
the absence of their client, securing
the verdict as mentioned above.
E. A. Hawkins and R. T. Hawkins
appeared as counsel for the Sea
board Air Line.
FIRMER GRIP ON
SHE OF MUTINY
IN RUSSIAN ARMY I
NEW YORK, July 21.—(Compiled by
the Associated Press from European
fables during the day.)—Although Rus
sia has been struck a severe blow on
the northern; Galician front through
the mutiny of regiments of her troops
under extremist influence, the forces of
order appear to be getting a firmer
grip on the fountain head of the diffi
culty in Petrograd.
The disorderly elements in the capi
tai having been subdued, the nation’s
strongest an, Kerensky, has been
made premier as well as minister of
war and marine. Obviously, this rep
resents a notable centralization of pow
er in one man, but it seems to be con
ceded that such centralization, even
if it be suggestive of a virtual dicta
torship, is jiecessary if the vast forces
o' the nation are to be co-ordinated
for efficient reconstitution of the gov
ernment and effective prosecution of
the war.
One of the signs that the government
ii tends to grapple in earnest with the
forces of disorganization comes in the
report of the arrest of the arch-agita
+tor Nikolai Lenane, and some of his
lieutenants.
What course the provisional govern
ment will take toward Finland whose
diet has passed a bill declaring com
plete independence of Russia, has not
been disclosed.
While chief military interest is cen
tered upon battlefields in the east,
where the Russians &re having to con
tend with disaffection in their ranks,
as well as with the Germans and Aus
trians. there is sufficient action in
progress on the western front to com-,
rnand close attention.
SUMTER COUNTY 10
FURNISHW MEN
|/ Sumter county's quota in the organ-;
] ization of the new national army is
187 men, according to an announce
ment made yesterday by Adjt.-Gen.
Van Holt Nash, who has supervision of
the drafting operations in Georgia./
The gross quota for this county is
259 men, but enlistments in the na
tional guard, regular army and navy
since April 1, 1917,'are credited on this
.'total, leaving 187 men yet to be fur-j
nished from the draft completed yes-'
terday morning at Washington, D. C.
The local board of exemption, com
prising Sheriff Lucius Harvey. Clerk
H. fi. Allen and County Physician R. E.
Cato, expects to begin operations in
about 10 days, since the official tabu
'irtion of the drawing fcr Sumtes «oun
!ty must be received before any further
“steps can be taken to select the men
who will make up the required quota. I
• The notices will be sent out to those
I men who are to appear on the first
< call within a few days aft r the official
‘ figures are received and physical ex
laminations will occupy three days, at
least. After that, the question of ex
! emptions will be considered.
JOHX R. COOPER MACON
LAWYER OUT FOR SENATE
1 1
'j MACON, Ga., July 21. —John R. Coop-
I ‘ er, well known Macon attorney, today
i! announced as a candidate for the Unit
i cd States senate to succeed Thomas W
i Hardwick. Mr. Cooper states that he
5' yvill carry his campaign into every
(county in Georgia. Two years ago Mr
s, Cooper was in the fight, but was pre
• [vented by llegal engagements Iron
making an active campaign.
EQUIPMENT FOR
0.5. EXPERIMENT
STATIONJN WAY
the next three weeks it is ex
pected that the new government exper
iment station for sorghum to be estab
lished in Americus will be in full oper
ation. The station, which will be lo
cated here for the purpose of demon
rup, is the result of continued effort on
strating a new scientific process of
preventing fermentation and crystalli
zation of sorghum and sugar cane sy
rup, is the result of continued effort on
the part of J. Ralston Cargill, manager
of the Farm Products Company' co-op
erating with the Americus adn Sum
ter County Chamber of Commerce.
The new process is being advocated
by the scientists engaged in govern
ment work tending to place the sor
ghum and cane industry on a more ef
ficient basis. The prevention of fer
entation and crystallization of syrup
means a vast financial saving to not
only the producer, but to the manufac
turer and the ultimate consumer.
Mr. Cargill, in discussing the estab
lishment of the experiment station
here, declared yesterday that, the ac
tion of the government in placing the
station at this point indicates a desire
on the part of the federal authorities
to foster in every possible way the
growth of the cane and sorghum indus
try in this section.
‘‘l have received notice from Dr.
Dale, of the United States bureau of
chemistry that shipment has been made
of certain equipment and supplies to
be used in connection with the opera
tion of the sorghum experiment sta
tion that will be located in the plant
of the Farm Products Company,” said
Mr. Cargill. “Ample space at the plant
has been reserved for a chemical lab •
cratory and Dr. Dale expects to have
this thoroughly equipped for the work
to be performed.
‘ This is the first year that sorghum
fcr syrup purposes has ever been
grown on a commercial scale in Sum
ter and adjoining counties,’ he con
tinued, “but it is believed that it will
prove to be a very satisfactory crop,
especially in view of the high prices of
cane sugar and syrup which have ex
isted for three years and which there is
but little hope of appreciably lower
ing for some time to ccme, even in the
event of an early cessation of war.
“The variety that has tyeen planted
this year for syrup purposes in this
section is known as Honey. Drip, and
is as delicious as its name implies. It
is a native of Japan, and belongs to
the family of the so-called saccharine
I sorghum. The varieties known as or
. ange. amber, gooseneck, etc., have been
planted quite generally for forage pur
poses, and while syrup can be made
from them, the flavor is not so good
nor the yield as great al the Honey
Drip.”
| When Dr. Dale last visited Aericus
he asked Mr. Cargill to find out just
when the sorghum crop around here
would be ready to grind, so that he
( could make his plans to come to Amer
icus and carry out the work the de
partment of agriculture had under
taken.
I Some unusually early plantings ay
have been made by some farmers, and
they may naturally look forward to
earlier maturity than later plantings. It
is also imperative that those who want
to have their sorghum ground and
,' manufactured into syrup send in state
ments at once, stating approximate
acreage or tonnage and other informa
tion on the crop census blank mailed
out by the Americus and Sumter Coun
, ty Chamber of Commerce,
e'
' ♦ WEATHER FORECAST. ♦
r * PROBABLY LOCAL THUN-♦
3 ‘ * DER SHOWERS TODAY AND ♦
II ♦ TONIGHT. ♦
NUMBER 173