The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1917-08-10

ever, such a step would not be taken
until the Governors asked for mili-
tary forces to restore order. They
would be furnished promptly by de-
partment commanders, without red
tape or delay.
Gen. Crowder also took action to-
day to reduce the number of applica-
lions for exemption, which news re-
ports indicate are being filed. In a
telegram to all Governors, he direct
ed that local boards be instructed to
furnish to newspapers hereafter, from
day to day, names of all registered
men who apply for exemption. the
grounds asserted to support such
claim. and the action taken by the
board. In cases of discharge for ply
steal disqualifications. this does not
apply, as these are not cases where
exemption is claimed. but are the re-
suit OF rejection by a board. The
specific reason for rejection will not
be published. Gen. Crowder's teie-
gram follows:
Let Facts BE known.
"The names or all registered men
are on a list arranged in the order in
which they will be called for military
Service. Wherever any registered
person imposes upon a local board
and improperly secures certificate
of exemption or discharge, he adj
vances the time of call of all other
uncalled persons on the list.
"For this reason every registered
person, and to some extent every per-
son in the community, is more or less
directly interested in seeing that the
true facts are brought to the atten-
ton of the Government. For every
Local board person has been desig-
mated who will receive information of
such cases and take appeals to the
district board or inform the local
board.
"For this reason, the public is en-
titled to know the grounds upon
which claims for exemption or dis
charge are being asked by registered
men.
Local boards should therefore be
instructed Immediately to make avail
able to the press from day to day the
names of persons claiming exemption
or discharges, the ground on which
such claims are based, and in gem
eral the number of cases that are be-
ing disposed of by the boards from
day to day. This instruction does not
apply, of course. to discharge on the
ground of physical disqualification"
Officials believe the effect of this
order will be to curb applications for
exemption to large extent. Men
who do not have legitimate excuses
are not expected to court the scorn of
neighbors who would recognize the
weakness of their pleas when publish
ed. Men whose cases are clear, how
ever, and who are entitled to eXemp-
ton, officials believe, Will be glad TO
have their neighbors know their cir
cumstances, and that it is not lack of
patriotism or fear which has prompt
ed them to seek relief from military
service. Exemption in such cases,
officials declare, will be generally APP
proved, and the parents and relatives
OF boys who will be taken are entitl-
ed to know why the boys OF their
neighbors were not taken.
Far from regarding the progress
of the selection process as slow, Gen.
Crowder believes rapid strides are be-
ing made. If reports were available
tonight, he said, from each of the
1900 local boards, il would be shown
that many thousands of men have
already been passed physically. filed
no application for exemption and are
now merely awaiting orders to join
the colors. An accurate estimate o:
the number in this class is not OBJ
tainable.