Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-06-22
MARRIAGE BY NO MEANS
CAUSE FOR EXEMPTION
Men With Dependents Ones
Who Won't Be Called I'm
der SeIeCtive Service
By RALPH SMITH.

WASHINGTON. June 2O.-Men with
dependents will be exempted from the
first unit to be raised under the selec-
tied by the special board that has been
working on the regulations. which are
now practically complete although still
subject to any changes that may be-
come necessary.
The exemption of men who have de-
pendents upon them does not necessarily
mean all married men, while on the
other hand it may include men who are
not married. Married men who have
pendent that will continue if they enter
the army or who are not actually sup
porting families or whose wives or
children may possess independent
means. are not necessarily exempt from
the draft, and it is probable that many
such men will be taken. Exemptions on
the ground that there are persons de-
pendent upon a citizen does ont broadly
cover all married men.
On the other hand. many men will be
exempted who are not married, but who
may be supporting mothers. fathers, or
sisters and brothers. A widower with
children dependent upon him may be
exempted. The fact that a man has
dependents, rather than the fact that he
is married, will be made the basis of the
action of the district boards, which are
yet to be appointed by the president
It is the policy of the government not
to call to the colors men whose military
service would cause want or suffering
among persons who rely upon them for
support. But the mere fact Of marriage
is by no means a cause for exemption,
per Sc.
mil he L.
for the exemption of men engaged in
certain occupations. except those specif-
icany exempted by the terms Of the
law. This much has been definitely
settled.
The district boards will receive gem
eral instructions as to industrial ex-
but they will be called upon
to exercise wide discretion in passing
upon such cases. In certain parts Of
the country a man may be exempted
On the ground that he is needed in some
for the support of the war,
while in other parts there may be men
engaged in similar work whose services
may be better employed in the army.
The district boards will use their judg-
ment in such matters, which will be
chiefly regulated by local Industrial con-
1t has not been found prac-
ticable to make a hard and fast rule
on this matter. Each case will be
handled on its individual merits. Nat
urally there will be claims of discrimi-
nation and inequality arising out of
such a system, but the government in
tends to operate II as justly and fairly
as possible. The work of the district
boards in such cases will be closely
" atched from Washington.
1t is not believed that the actual
process of drafting men for the new
national army will begin before the
middle of July. The vast ma
chine necessary to carry on the
work is only in process of con-
struction. The local boards have
not all been organized as yet. The
boards are being nominated by the gov
ernors of the several states and will
be officially appointed by the president.
Thirty governors have thus far sub
mitted their lists. The district boards,
those which handle Industrial eXemp-
tions and all doubtful cases, will be APP
pointed from Washington. The person
mel of none Of these boards has been
as yet.