100 years ago in The Saratogian
Saturday, July 21, 1917. The first military draft lottery of the U.S. war against Germany concludes early this morning after 10,500 numbers have been drawn in Washington D.C.
The Saratogian reports that only those men whose numbers were among the first 3,000 drawn should expect to serve in the new army being raised to fight in Europe. In Saratoga County, the final number will be much smaller.
Due to the county’s relatively small population, many of the numbers drawn yesterday and today were too high to be included in the registration rolls for Saratoga County’s two draft districts.
Exactly how many Saratoga men will serve will be determined by Governor Charles S. Whitman. Quota for Saratoga and other counties are expected to be announced first thing next week, but The Saratogian’s Albany correspondent predicts that “Saratoga county will be called on to furnish about 400 men on the first call.”
On the assumption that up to half the draftees will be found medically unfit to serve, the reporter anticipates that twice as many men as will actually serve will be summoned for physical examinations. Up to 800 locals should expect to receive notifications shortly.
Today’s front page includes a guide to the next steps of the draft process. Once the governor has determined Saratoga County’s quota, the local draft board will post a notice including the dates and times when each man must report for examination.
The notice will also appear in local newspapers, while draftees will receive individual notification in the mail. Eligible men are advised not to wait for the mail, but to check the complete listing as soon as it’s posted or published.
“The posting of the list at the office of the board will be deemed sufficient notice to charge you with the duty of presenting yourself,” the newspaper explains, “The law therefore makes it your duty to inform yourself when you are called. The mailing is for your convenience, but if the letter never reaches you, you cannot make that an excuse.”
The U.S. declared war on Germany last April. Saratoga County’s National Guard troops will leave the state for regular army training somewhere in the south later this summer. Saratoga County will be defended by a depot unit based at the city armory and a civilian home guard.
WHAT’S HAPPENING. Local moviegoers will get to see American troops in Europe when the Broadway Palace presents newsreel footage of Gen. John J. Pershing’s arrival in France last month as part of tonight’s program. The feature presentation is “The Silent Lie,” starring Miriam Cooper in “a Drama of the Snows.”
-- Kevin Gilbert