The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-06-11
IS NO PLACE
FOR POLITICS
Exemption Boards Must be
Composed Of Highest Glass
Citizens in Each
Section.
rs A VITAL POSITJ =.
: ,
College Heads, Lawyers and
High In Civil Life VIII be 6
Preference on
Boards.
IS A VITAL Pos1TJ 5
[By Webb Miller, United Press staff
Correspondent

[By Webb Miller, United Press staff
| Correspondent
WASHINGTON, June 11.-An at.
tempt to inject politics in the selec-
ton of members Of the conscription ex-
emption boards is on foot In congress.
From Indications today. however.
these efforts will come to naught. In
official quarters 1t Is realized that
any tinge OF politics would give the
whole selective system black eye"
and that the people would not tolerate
It.
More than q score Of senators and
congressmen are maneuverfng to get
their men" picked for the important
places on boards that select the men
who willard those who won't
serve in the new armies.
Control OF one of the members OF
the board would be a powerful politi-
cal weapon.
In trying to get line on the prob
able personnel, and the method Of Sc
lecting the boards, many congress
mebers are besieging the war DEPART
mant with nominations" and "sug-
gestions."
Although the exemption regulations
are sttll in the formative stage, 1t is
<
will pass upon the members of the
appellate boards or exemption boards
OF appeal. Only men OF the highest
standing In each community will be
picked for these vital positions.
Such men as college heads. promi-
nent lawyers and men high in civil
life will be given preference. Each
federal or judicial district will have
one appellate board to review the find
ing Of the local board. pass upon ap-
peals and hold original jurisdiction in
claims for occupational exemptions.
States that have furnished more
than their share of men for the army
or national guard are not to be pen
allied for their patriotism when men
are drafted for the army.
First Steps Taken.
[By Webb Miller, United Press Staff
Correspondent
WASHINGTON, June 1.-THE first
actual step toward formation of
boards which will consider exemp-
ton from service in the new national
armies raised by conscription, was
taken today when plan for exemp-
tion of those physically unfit, was
submitted to President Wilson by a
special board of lawyers, jurists and
authorities.
The plan provides that each local
exemption board will have as one
member a physician who will give the !
first test When he rejects a man,
the other board members must sum-
mon another physician, who will
make an examination, not knowing |
the first doctors decision. IF the de- |
cisions are the same, the man Is de- !
clared unfit.
The regular physician member of
the exemption board will probably be
the county or city surgeon according
to the plan. In case Of doubt, the
board may summon several doctors,
one after another, to submit a diagno-
sis. The man that is rejected or re-
fused may appeal to the appellate
court of the district for another test.
President Wilson is today consid-
sring the vital exemption regulations
as submitted by the special board.
This body has been working on the
regulations for weeks. Within few
days, announcements Of the rules for
guidance of the exemption boards is
expected
Although it is definitely decided
hat there will be no wholesale class
most of the regulations
ire yet to be settled upon.
The general plan for forming local
boards to sift out men for
,elective service was practically de-
,ided upon today
Under the plan. the registration
BOARD, consisting Of the county sher-
IF, the county clerk and the county
health officer. will form the local ex-
,mption board.
In cities of more than thirty thous-
Ind the registration board will also be-
.ome the exemption board.
To make the plan more flexible the
governor Of each state is authorized
o submit suggestions for changes in
he personnel when the present in
:umbent Of the county Office proves
unsatisfactory