Calmness Prevails as Men Enroll; Illini Women Favor Draft

Daily Illini October 17, 1940

Registration Stirs Many Students to Comment

By BOB HAY '42
Western sun rays sifted through a large United States flag hung from the ceiling and focused on a scene yesterday afternoon in the ice rink that was, neither confusing nor exciting. Order prevailed during conscription registration of University men.

As day-long registration moved into late afternoon, several registrars were munching apples, another was reading a newspaper, and the rest of the 250 clerks were adequately registering "men between the ages of 21 and 36," who came neither in droves nor with impatience.

Registration clerks said that busiest hours came at 11 a. m., 3 p. m., and 4 p. m. Fifteen hundred men had registered by noon, they reported.

Despite the apparent calm — perhaps it was a grimness—, those who registered were stirred to collegiate comments. Opinions were expressed as clerks checked certificates of registration before the men were allowed to leave.

Exclaimed one youth as he left the Ice rink:
"I'm enrolled now. I've done my duty for the day." He scanned his certificate of registration, tucked it into his pocket, and sauntered away with three other prospective soldiers.

Said another, as he approached a clerk:
"I want to be a captain."
The reply:
"Several nice berths are still open in the privates', ranks."

One student maintained that the system of registration was inadequate. He said that a method of immediately separating those who will actually be drafted should be developed.

With a tinge of disgust, another registrant commented on registration in relation to European events. "If the German's can't cross 20 miles of the English channel, they can't get through 3,000 miles of ocean," he opined.

Possibilities of actual conscription was an immediate worry to one who registered as a University student. The student, a registration clerk said, is planning to withdraw from the University next semester.

He asked if it were possible that he would be drafted immediately. The clerk answered, "yes." Said the student:
"But my mother always told me to stay out of a draft."

Co-Eds Deem Military Training Necessary for Preparedness

By NORMA ADAMS '43
The draft is favored by University women.

While the University's 4,000 draftees were being registered yesterday in the ice rink, most University women expressed the opinion, that a year's military training wouldn't hurt any man and that it is necessary for the country's preparedness.

A strong minority, however, vehemently denounced conscription as "the most abominable thing that has ever happened to this country," and "certain to get us into more trouble than we're in now."

Typical comments were:
Betty Kiddoo '41: "I think the draft is a fine idea. A year's training won't hurt a soul and will prepare us for any emergency that, might arise."

Carolyne Rutledge '41: "Preparing for a war is the best way to get into one. There is no danger of invasion if we keep out of other people's business. One doesn't need to prepare for peace."

Vivian Peterson '41: "Military training is all right, but with the large number of recruits enlisting such a measure scarcely seems necessary. Will the army have equipment for the drafted men?"

Betty Lou Abrams '41 : "Drafting is the only thing for this country to do. The training will do college students a lot of good, teach them discipline."

Barbara Whitsitt '43: "I haven't thought too much about the draft , but I think we need it. I favor preparedness."

Ann Feder '13: "A year's military training will make college students better specimens of manhood."

Phyllis Borgelt '44 : "It just doesn't seem right that college students should be registering for anything but studies!"