From The Indianapolis News, Monday, October 9, 1916: The War Department instituted today the most vigorous campaign ever conducted for recruits to the United States Army, except in time of war, to increase its peace-time strength from 130,000 men to 216,000 men. Accounting for men leaving the service, it is estimated that one recruit per 1,000 men, women and children of population is needed to achieve the 100,000 recruits needed annually to sustain the army’s strength. Army officers frankly say that this is the final test of the volunteer recruiting system. If it fails, universal military training or compulsory military service will be required. Indianapolis with a population of 300,000 should account for 300 recruits. Recruiting officers will have additional help from every postmaster in the country who will receive $5 (2015: $110) for each recruit obtained.