New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-19
Hughes Indorses
Exemption Plea
For Policemen
Firemen, Too, Should Be
Freed From Draft, He
Tells Whitman
Asks Appeal to Wilson
Board Would Detail Medical
and Dental Conscripts
to School
Asks Appeal to Wilson

The exemption of all fremen and
policemen from the draft is sought IN
letter sent TO Governor Whitman
yesterday by Charles f. Hughes, chair
man OF the district board and chairman
of the committee of fourteen appointed
at conference of all the district
boards in the state last Thursday.
Mr.. Hughes sent a second letter 20
the Governor. urging him to request
President Wilson TO detail all medical
and dental students and internes draft
ed to schools and hospitals for the
continuation Of their preparatory
course.
Both Of these letters are in accord
ance with the spirit of resolutions
adopted by the committee of fourteen
and made public by Mr.. Hughes yes
terday.
5000 Police Draft Eligibles
AS to excluding policemen and fire.
men from selective service. Mr.. Hughes
suggests that this can best be brought
about by requesting the President to
amend the rules and regulations con-
corning county and municipal officials"
so as to cover these classes. He points
out in his letter that policemen and
firemen cannot, under the strict inter
probation of the draft law, be classed
as persons engaged in industries" and
that the term county and municipal
officials" embraces only elective Off
GERS.
Mr.. Hughes refers TO letter from
Police Commissioner Woods that be-
tween 5000 and $500 of the 1890 men
in his department are of draft age,
that 1900 special patrolmen have been
engaged to do emergency work and
that efforts are being made to obtain
appropriations for 20 more. He also
quotes from letter from Fire Com
missioner Adamson to the effect that
l,462 of New York's' 1928 firemen are
within the draft age. IL is pointed out
that il takes three years TO train
good fireman.
in view of the extreme Importance
of maintaining adequate police pro-
lection and security against fire" the
letter concludes, Il trust that you may
be able to secure appropriate action by
which policemen and firemen in cities
may be discharged from the selective
draft, as recommended by the commit
tee of the district boards"
Seek TO Reexamne Policemen
The resolution adopted by the COM
mittee also suggests that the District
Board be empowered TO reopen the case
of any policeman or fireman already
certified for service.
The District Board yesterday issued
a printed form of notice for the in
formation of those seeking industrial
exemption. This form tells what in
formation should be included in the
affidavits supporting the application.
These affidavits are of too diverse
nature to permit of any set form.
Mr.. Hughes made it plain that no set
policy has been followed in passing on
either exemption appeals or industrial
claims. Each individual case, he said,
is judged on its merits and in accord
ance with a just Interpretation of tho
lew.
Owing TO the increasing number Of
designations from local boards, Provost
Marshal general Crowder instructed
the adjutant generals Office not to &C.
cept such designations in the future
unless the reasons given are most grave
or urgent. Pay warrants were sent 10
many board members yesterday for
their services thus far.