The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-05-29
THE WAR DEPARTMENT
ORDERS INVESTIGATION

Why Was MIR. Workman, Belonging to
Roierm Party, Not Admitted to
Officers' Training Camp!
Washington, May 24.-The war de-
partment has ordered an investigation
into the reasons why Neil W. Work
man, law partner of Congressman
Fred H. Dominick, at Newberry, S. g.,
was not admitted to the officers
training camp at Fort Oglethorpe af-
ter Capt. ]. NJ. Graham, inspector for
the South Carolina State militia and
stationed at Columbia, had told him
In person that he had passed all nee
essary requirements. Yesterday the
entire case was Laid before Adjutant
General H P. Mccain by Dr.. Domi-
nick. Gen. Mccain was told by Mr..
Dominick that in his opinion Mr..
Workman had been Disseminated
against by Capt. Graham and that in
as much as Col. Slocum, in command
at Fort oglethorpe, had never receiv-
cd MIR. Workman's application nor
been able to find any record Of his
case, that in his opinion Capt. Crab
am had seen to it that it went no
fsrther than his Office. This belief
Mr.. Dominick told the adjutaHt gen
eral, was based upon the fact that
when he pressed Capt. Graham for
reason why Mr. Workman had been
turned down, Capt. Graham replied
under date of May II: cit rs regretted
that no further information regarding
Workman can be furnished YOU"
Mr. Dcminick told the adjutant gen.
eral that Capt. Graham had been sta
toned at Columbia two or three years
and of course, could not remain there
without the sanction and cooperation
of the present State administration.
Gen. Mccain said he would order
an investigation that would go to the
very bottom of the case and that the
responsibility would be placed where
it should be. The telegrams that
passed in the matter give interesting
sidelights on the present conscription
embroglio in South Carolina and are
as follows:
Asks for Information.
Washington, May Is, 1917.
'fCol. Herbert J. Slocum, Fort Ogle-
thorpe, Ga.
ssNeal W. Workmon of Newberry,
South Carolina, stood examination OF
reserve corps and admission to train
ing camp, Columbia, South Carolina,
May 3. passing practically perfect ex-
animation. Capt. Graham informed
him that he would be accepted. On
May 8, T wired you urging his accept
ance On May 9, Workmans personal
referencese.returned to him indorsed,
recommendations returned herewith
as you were not accepted for training
camp Signed. ]. NJ. Graham, Capt.
of Inf. Dol. Hit Others whose ap-
plications filed same day that Work
mans but recommendation similarly
returned have since been accepted. /
can not understand discrimination as
to Workman. He is over 80 years of
age, has several years military train
ing and will make a Class A officer,
vastly better qualified than some ad-
mitted to my personal knowledge.
Please investigate the matter fully
and wire me, government rate col
lect. if Worknlan's application ever
received at headquarters and the
cause of rejection. If thy possible
chance to admit him to camp at this
time will personally appreciate your
efforts.
"Fred H. Dominick,
Member Of Congress"
No Record at Fort OglethOrpe.
nr1
Ca, May Is, 1917.
Fred H. Dominick, Washington, D.
C..
"No record Neal Workman's appli-
,.ation here. Refer you to Capt.
Graham.
eCol. Slocum."
EXPLANATION Sought Fr m Graham.
esCapt. J. NJ. Graham. Columbia, S. c.
yesterday I wired Col. Herbert J.
Slocum, Fort Oglethorpe, Ca, as fol-
lows: Neal W. Workman Of New
berry, S. c., stood examination of re-
serve corps and admission to training
camp. Columbia. S. c., May 8, passing
practically perfect examination. Capt.
Graham informed him that he would
be accepted. On May s, I wired you
urging his acceptance. On May 8
Workman's personal references re-
turned to him indorsed "Recommen-
dations returned herwith as you were
not accepted for training camp. Sign
ed, J. NJ Graham, Capt. of Inf. Dol.
Hit" Others whose applications filed
same day as Workman's, but recon-
mendations similarly returned, have
since been accepted. I can not nnder-
stand discrimination as to Workman.
He is over 80 years of age, has sever
al years military training. and will
make Class A officer, vastly better
qualified than some admitted to my
personal knowledge. Please investi-
gate matter fully and wire me, gov
ernment rate collect, if Worman's ap-