Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-07-31
MEN WHO REFUSE TO SERVE TO
BE PROSECUTED IF clRcUM-
STANCES WARRANT.
NO MORE WITHDRAWALS
WILL BE PERMITTED
Governors of States Ordered to Refuse
to Accept designations Except in
Most Extreme cases-GeneraI Crow
der Moves to Stop WithdrawaIs--chi-
cage Case Leads to Drastic Action.


Chicago, July 31.-On the eve OF the
actual work of selecting the first ma
tional army under the draft, Provost
Marshal General Crowder yesterday in
Washington issued orders to all gov
ernors not to accept any more resig-
nations Of members of local exemption
boards except in the most extreme
cases.
The ruling, prompted. it is under
stood, by the designations of DR.. Raou
r. Haas and Walter A. Amberg from
board No. AZ, in Chicago, directs the
turning over Of all recalcitrant board
members to the department of justice
for prosecution under section 6 of the
draft law.
The penalty provided, where the
prosecution is not handled by the mill
tary authorities, is not to exceed one
year in prison.
Case Up to Governor.
In case the offending board members
are subject to military discipline any
sentence the military authorities may
impose will stand.
In the cases of DR.. Haas and MIR.
Amberg the provost marshal makes II
plain that it is up to Governor Low
den of Illinois to indicate what steps
the federal authorities should take. If
the governor approves their resigna-
ton it probably will be accepted in
Washington. If the governor is not
Int hoiv q II a.
tions make a valid case then by re-
fusing to approve them the two board
members will be subject to prosecu-
ton if they still refuse to serve.
UP to a late hour Governor Lowden
had not acted on the designations. II
was gossiped in Springfield that he
might not approve them and would in
struct Haas and Amberg they would
have to serve.
Both men originally sent their resig-
nations to Provost Marshal Crowder
and he refused to accept them. They
then sent their unconditional rssig-
nations to Governor Lowden, declar-
ing they could not send American
boys to the trenches when SO many
aliens in their district were not af-
General crowder's Orders.
General Crowder now directs all
governors of states that there can be
no such thing as an unconditional
resignation. He also makes it plain
that members of exemption boards are
drafted for service just as reglstrants
are drafted for military service
The official order issued by the pro-
vost marshal reads: e.
ample time and opportunity have
now been allowed to persons desig-
mated as members of local boards tc
present any reasons, they may have for
not serving as such.
ut is indispensable that the per-
sonnet of these boards be permanent
BY section of the selective service
law persons designated to perform this
service are as effectively drafted fol
this duty as are the registrants who
are to be selected for military service
In the future members of loca
boards will be excused from perform
ing this service only for the most ur-
gent reasons approved by the governor
Of their state. fs .s-.
Up to Governors. g."
ut is requested that the governor
scrutinize each case presented to MN
and that he recommend the excuse OF
members of local boards only in case
of great hardship.
unless the governor believes thai
the excuse presented is valid, substan
tial, and controlling the attention Of
the person should be directed to sec
ton six of the law. and in case OF FUR
Their refusal to serve the case shoulc
be reported to the nearest representa-
tive of the federal department OF JUS
tice. These instructions, Of course, dc
not apply to members OF boards who
are to be removed under instructions
from the war department"
General Crowder would make nc
comment yesterday on the chicago
cases, but the fact that he already has
refused to accept their designations II
regarded in Washington as a clear in
d;cation that he does not consider theiI
reason for failure to serve as valid
substantial, and controlling"
Section 6.
The section Of the law under which
exemption uodIu AdoHipois may W
prosecuted for failure to serve follows:
ANY person charged as herein pro-
vded with the duty of carrying into
effect any Of the provisions of this ac'
who shall fail or neglect to perform
such duty shall, if not subject to mill
tary law, be guilty Of a misdemeanor
and, upon conviction thereof, be pun
ished by Imprisonment for not more
than one year, or, If subject to military
law, shall be tried by court martial and
suffer such punishment as cour1
martial may direct"
The text Of General Crowder's order
was read to DIR. Haas last night. He
said he would talk the matter, over
with Mr.. Amberg before making a
statement.