Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-10-04
INVESTIGATION
Of CLAIMS HAS
BEEN STARTED
Two Men Held for Service
and Discharge Revoked
Other Case being Probed.

That exemption claims, granted by
the district board. at Bismarck, N. D.,
viii not pass unchallenged was made
certain today when two men, who
wore previously discharged from mill
tary duty for industrial reasons. were
certified up for service and other
claims. previously allowed. were or
dered Investigated.
Albert Gunderson of Northwood and
Edward G. Erickson of Niagara were
the two men whose exemption GER
tificates were revoked by the district
board. One other exemption claim,
Med by a Grand Forks young man who
asked for release because of a de-
pendent wife and granted by the dis
trict board this week, this morning
was investigated by local officials upon
the orders Of the state board MEM
bers. It was discovered that he at
f1davit and claim were not justiflable
and the local board, which had previ-
ously refused his exemption, recon-
mended to the district officials that he
be held for service.
First Investigation.
The instructions from the district
board are the first to indicate that the
claims and aff1davits filed by regis
trants are to be subjected to a probe.
From now on it is anticipated that
each claim will be taken up and
ments have been specified the regis
trant Immediately will be certified for
service and his release certificate null
lifted.
The action Of the district board has
brought a cessation to a condition that
was proving di~scouraging to local
board members and to the men who
are willing to serve without protest.
Very few claims were denied by the
district board and those who were
certified for service here and appealed
to the state officials, found little diff
iculty In obtaining a discharge. The
county and state officials now hold
af1davtts supporting claims that are
known to be false. Whether prosecu-
ton will result is not known. but it is
anticipated hat wholesale arrests will
result.
Apprehend Signers. .
The apprehension of residents who
signed afadavits that are false is also
anticipated. 1t is pointed out that the
number of claimants would decrease
II property owners would refuse to
sign sworn statements that are known
to be false. Because the registrants
have had no trouble in finding friends
who would pledge their honor to aid
In obtaining their release, no OBJ
stacles have been met with in the at
tempt to obtain exemption.
With the conducting of the investi-
cations, evidence is secured which
later may be used in prosecuting those
who have deliberately attempted to
evade CONSUMPTION.
When referring to the many ex-
emption claims, Clerk Hans Anderson
said:
II can't offer any explanation for
the many claims that are filed, but I
think now that the Investigations have
started we will have less trouble with
claimants who are attempting to
. service. I have been of the
opinion that many of the decisions Of
he district board would be reversed
ana now 1 expect to see over so per
cent OF those who have been dis
charged, called back into service. I
believe that at least that many Of the
claims were unjustifable.
There is an anti-patriotic faction
In this county hat we have to con-
tend with and many Of our troubles
are being caused by the false reports
being circulated"
"Antis' at Work.
Board members report much evil
dence to show that efforts are being
made to oppose the draft in this
county. At Northwood, N. D., promi-
nent business men circulated the
story that a man with a wooden leg
had been passed by the Grand Forks
board, without having his deformity