The eligible, man-power of Dukes County registered for the selective draft on Wednesday, the total number of registrants reaching 539. The figures for registration in the several towns are as follows: Tisbury, 174 resdents, 21 non-residents; Edgartown, 140 residents, 6 non-residents; Oak Bluffs, 132 residents, 6 non-residents; West Tisbury, 27 residents, 1 non-resident; Chilmark, 19 residents, 2 non-residents; Gay Head, 6 residents; Gosnold, 3 residents, 2 non-residents.

The total number of non-resident registrants Was 38, making the Island's own total 501.

It had been estimated that as many as 600 might register here, but no conclusions are possible from the lower figure actually recorded, since Island residents may have registered in other places. Most of those who did not appear here on Wednesday were fishermen who may have been marketing their fish on the mainland.

Registrants from Distant States

Several registered here whose homes are in distant states, one man being from Missouri and one from Kentucky. Three or four declared themselves as conscientious objectors, either on the ground of belonging to a denomination opposed to the bearing of arms or on the ground of ethical or religious conviction.

Registration was completed efficiently in all the Island towns, with no difficulties reported.

The Island draft board met Tuesday evening for organization, and Arthur W. Davis was elected chairman and S. C. Luce. Jr. secretary. Other members of the board are Abner L. Braley, William R. Amaral and Donald R. Campbell. James A. Boyle is judge advocate and Dr. 0. S. Mayhew medical advisor. The board appointed Russell A. Field as clerk.

This district is to be known as the Edgartown district, and is numbered 173 in the State. The Island board, besides employing a paid clerk, is required to acquire suitable quarters, not at government expense.

The procedure is for the cards of registration to be delivered to the draft board, separated into two lots, names of men in this district, and names of non residents. The latter are sent to the state house. The local cards are retained and numbered on the back, serially, and the highest number in the series is telegraphed to Washington. This provides for the drawing of numbers by which, in the near future, the order of service is to be determined for the men who have registered.

The local board is to send questionnaires to all registrants in blocks of fifty, and on the basis of the replies to these questionnaires the classification begins. Married men and some others will be put in a deferred class and if anyone objects to his classification he may appeal to the appeal board in New Bedford.