Evening journal., 1917-08-16
GOV. TOWNSEND'S
SUGGESTIONS TO
AID DRAFT WORK
lConlInuad Trom T.IraL Pagol

AOAl AAHN a NV
OF exemptions were made by Gov
ernor Townsend which appealed TO
General Crowder, who said he would
consider them and might embody
them in supplemental Instructions
70 be- issued to exemption boards. AS
to occupauonal reasons for exemp
ton. General Crowder said the policy
OF the War Department Is that man
should either work or fight, and Il
VIII be up 10 the district exemption
boards to determine when a man Is
absolutely necessary to continue in an
occupation necessary for the prosecu-
ton Of the war
General Crowder stated that the
district exemption boards have the
power 20 go beyond the aiiidavits fled
By claimants for exemption. either for
dependency or for Occupationai rea-
sons. and can question under oath the
claimant FOR exemption and any other
persons who might be able to furnish
information the district board deems
necessary TO reach a just decision
The district board for Delaware had
been considering the employment of
special investigators to inquire into
the conditions surrounding certain
claimants for exemption in all three
counties. but now that General
Crowder has made it clear that the
district board can conduct snquisi-
tons. the employment OF Investigators
VIII not be necessary.
Secretary OF State Everett G. John
son and Adiutant General j. Pussy
! Nickersham accompanied Governor
I Townsend TO Washington. Charles
Warner chairman of the district ex-
I emption board for Delaware, con-
ferred with Governor Townsend to
Washington. Charles Warner. chair
man Of the distrist exemption board
for Delaware. conferred with Cover
/ nor Townsend at the Hotel DUPONT
last night following his return from
Washington and talked over the sub
iects the Governor had taken up with
! General CrOwder earlier in the day.
Board Meets Tomorrow.
Mr.. Warner has called q meeting of
the district board TO be held In Dover
tomorrow afternoon when final plans
For the beginning of sitiings OF the
(. board viii be made. IL has been de-
Cided tentatively 10 start the session in
Wilmington on Monday. and there Will
be sessions morning. afternoon and
night. The board will adopt a
schedule OF sittlnes for Wilmington
Dover and GEORGETOWN. so that claim
{ ants OF exemption will be inconven-
fenced as little as possible In getting
TO the board sessions.
One OF the problems confronting
/ the district board Is the disposition
Of cases OF men called in the ilrst
draft quota who have failed TO re-
spond. who unless they appear for
/ physical examination Immediately,
: stand IN the position of "slacRers."
1t is expected that formal notice viii
be given to the delinquents 20 appear
within five days and II they do not
their names will be certified TO Ad-
mtant General Wickersham and they
will be arrested. II located. and Will
have to face trial as deserters from
the army
Discuss Military Situation.
Governor Townsend. while in Wash.
ington Yesterday with the Governor.
of Virginia. New York and Delaware
called unon Secretary OF War Baker
and conferred with him In reference
to the policy to be pursued In appoint
ing officers for the military unit t
be formed by the four States. The in
; terview with Secretary Baker wal
pleasant. but no definite conclusion
were reached The inference from tn
? remarks by Secretary Baker was tina
= The departments would make appoint
ments. The several Governors sig
+ gested that as far as possible the mel
e should be commanded by officers iden
s tilted with the National Guard Of tn
+ several States.