New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-26
Tells Directors Patriotism
Must Supplant Business in
Organizing Army
Dispels All Grievances
Members of Selection Bodies
Told They Must Obey Or
ders as Federal Officers

Deputy Attorney General Roscoe S.
Conkling met with singing words the
complaints from members Of The Bronx
and Manhattan draft exemption boards.
who met last night in Public School
80, in West Thirty-ffth Street, to pro-
test against the hardships visited upon
them by the cutting off of clerical
help.
He reminded the exemptors that they
were Federal officers and under orders,
which they are bound to obey whether
they like 1t or not. He challenged the
patriotism Of any man who failed to
do his full duty now, and SAID week
end vacation at this time would be
taken at the cost of gallant lives at
the French front, where the soldiers
of our Allies are holding the line wait
ing for United States troops.
"Carry Out Your Orders"
"You must not forget we are at war"
said Mr.. Conkling. Every man here
tonight is Federal officer and sub
ject to the orders of his superior Off
GERS. The President or the Provost
Marshal General will deliver the or
ders. You will execute them. You
are Americans-you have American
brains. You will get orders and you
will carry them out.
"The man who neglects his duty at
this time is not Stacker. That word
seems inadequate. He is the rankest,
most contemplate kind of gutter.
it's up to you, gentlemen"
"The great necessity now is for you
men to give up your business. ! don't
hedge. Is there anything greater than
the United States? Because of your
trip to the country over the weekend
some fine young American at the front
H. France is going to die in a weller
oil bloody slime. Do your part, and do
il promptly and without complaint.
Some of you may have thought it un-
reasonable that | should have urged
the greatest haste in preparing the lists
for the drawing at Washington. Per-
hsps you didn't think it important that
New York City should finish on time.
Perhaps, if you knew things that the
State Department and the War Depart
ment knew, you would have understood
that it was important In times like
these it up to all of us to obey orders
without question.
Working Under War Conditions"
Hnon,, an, J;.oo,xo.zI &c ... -. -
order TO do a certain thing to-day and
y eeantermand of that order tomorrow.
We are working under war conditions.
Don't forget that.
at took England long time 10 wake
up, but it's not going to take America
so long.
"Now there's another thing wish TO
mention. New York is the greatest city
in the world. II has a cosmopolitan
population. II takes only little criti-
cism Of the President or the govern
ment 10 spread general discomfort or
disafection. Such criticisms might give
rise to a situation that would make the
draft riots of 1868 look like picayune
affair.
"Now, l have been asked about tine
/ question of clerical hire. The rule
applying to this subject has not been
/ changed. When the chairman of the
! board certifies that certain clerical help
{ is necessary and reasonable it is up to
the board to get this help at the rate
( of $3.50 day.
"As to procuring weighing scales for
use in the physical examinations. the
same rule holds. Get the scales free
of charge if you can; but get them"
"Aliens Can't Be Drafted"
"How about a doctor who refuses 10
act as examiner. Can you subpoena
him or what?" asked one board mem
Der.
of a doctor refuses" replied Mr.