The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-08-11
TOO MUCH LENIENCY
IN EXEMPTION HINTED
Gov. Graham Tells States Attorneys of
Vermont to Look Into the Cases
Where Exemption Has
Been Granted.

1ntimation that exemption boards in
Vermont have, in some instances, beer
too lenient in granting exemptions to
drafted men is contained in a statement
by Governor Graham to the states at.
torneys of the state, in which he informs
the states attorneys that they are to
act for the government to see whether
exemptions are justified. Governor Ora.
ham lays emphasis on the fact that the
states attorneys are not to dictate to
| the local boards but are to call the at.
tention of those bodies to the require.
ments of the law and the regulations and
the evidence in the cases. The letter fol.
lows:
reports so far received indicate that
the local boards in some localities are
not acting in accordance with the spirit
and intention of the regulations with re-
spect to the exemption of persons claim
ing to have dependent relatives. The
indications are that some Of the local
boards, understanding that appeals will
be taken by the government to the dis
trict board in all cases where exemptions
are granted by local boards for this rea-
son, are granting such exemptions with
out proper consideration, and thus trans
ferring the labor and responsibility to
the district board. Such practice is not
intended, because the local boards are in
position to determine the facts in each
case, and as the right to exemption on
this ground is based upon facts, and not
upon questions Of law, the local boards
should determine each case according to
its merits.
"The provost marshal's telegram, of
which copy is transmitted in the en-
closed memorandum, plainly indicates the
the duty of local boards in this respect.
You have been designated by the provost
marshal general, through the governor,
to represent the government in all cases
within the jurisdiction of your local
board. 1t is your duty to make suf-
ficient examination of the papers filed |
with the local board in each case as to in |
form yourself whether their decision is |
justified by the evidence, and TO take ap- |
peals for the government in all cases
where they have, in your opinion, errone-
ously granted exemptions.
81 desire you, if you have not already
lone so, to examine carefully the papers
n each case already passed upon by the
ocal board, and to call the boards atten-
ion to cases in which, in your opinion,
hey have acted contrary TO the spirit
ind intent of the law and regulations,
md request them to reopen and recon
ider such cases, and if the facts seem to
Justify, revoke the exemptions which
hey have granted. 1t is not your prov
nee TO dictate to the local board, but
imply to call their attention to the re.
uirements of the law and regulations
nd the evidence in each case, much the
anne as you would do in handling case
or the state in court.
Il appreciate that this duty will re-
uire some time for which no compensa I
ion is provided, but it is encumbent
pom all of us, and especially public of
cials, to exert ourselves in the present /
TO the end that the full intent {
{ the law shall be carried out. Please
i've this matter your careful attention" |