Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-05

their attendance in any way until they
have passed into the military status. 1t
orders designed to prevent the execu-
tion of the federal law. For this pur-
pose the President has legal power to
employ the Army in any state without
reference to the state authorities. In
practice. however. such a step would
not be taken until the governors asked
for military forces to restore order.
They would be furnished promptly by
department commanders, without red
tape or delay.
To Publish Exemption Claims.
Cen Crowder also took action yes
terday TO reduce the number of appli-
cations for exemption which news re-
ports Indicate are being filed. In 4
Telegram TO all governors he directed
enat local boards be instructed to fur
nlsn TO newspapers hereafter, from day
to day, names of all registered men who
Appiy Tor exemption. the grounds as
serted 10 support such claim and the
action taken by the board. In cases
OF discharge for physical disqualifica-
tions This does not apply. as these are
not cases where exemption is claimed.
put are the result of rejection by a
board. The specific reason for reiec-
lion VIII not be published. Gen. Crow
ders telegram follows:
The names of all registered men are
on list arranged in the order in which
tney Will be called for military service
wherever any registered person i'm
eriy secures a certificate of exemntion
or discharge he advances the time Of
list. oii Inc
For this reason every registered per-
son and, to some extent, every person
| IN the community is more or less al
rectiy interested in seeing that the trua
.acts are brought to the attention of
.he government For every local board
person has been designated 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 DISCHARGE a re-
oelhs asked by registered men.
Local boards should therefore be in
slructed Immediately to make available
10 the press from day to day the names
OF persons claiming exemption or diss
charges, the ground on which such
ciaims are based and, in general tba
mum per or cases that are being dis
Tbis gJssu q, by tne boards from day to day.
course, TO discharges on the ground of
physical disqualification"
May Lessen Number of Claims
Officials believe the effect NJ mic
! order will be to curb applications for
exemption to large extent. Men who
40 not nave legitimate excuses are
neighbors who would Recognize IA
Weakness of their pleas when n,h-
l1shed- Men whose cases are clear
however, and who are entitled to ex.
emption. officials believe, will he Glad
70 nave their neighbors know their
circumstances. and that it is not lack
of patriotism or fear which bas
prompted them to seek relief from mil
itary service.
Exemption in such cases. officials de-
clare. will be generally approved and
the parents and relatives of bows who
VIII be taken are entitled 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
being made. IL reports were available
| last night, he said. from each of the
, 1900 local boards. IL would be shown
| that many thousands of men have al
| ready been passed physically, filed no
| application for exemption and are now
| merely awaiting orders to join the
| colors- An accurate estimate of the
number in this class is not obtainabIe
Watching Thomas E. Watson.
| The alleged activities of Thomas E.
Watson of Thomaston. Ga. are under
close scrutiny OF the Department OF
Justice, whose officials are seeking to
determine whether they can bring pro-
] ceedings against him because OF re-
cent statements in his magazine urging
| resistance to the draft
Copies of the publication brought tc
the Attorney Generals attention con-
| tain lists of contributions, VARYING be-
tween 81 to 500. from Atlanta, Chat
4 tanooga, Danville. Va, and numerous
small towns in North Carolina. Tennes.
see. Alabama. Kentucky and Georgia
| to fund to be devoted to testing ths
constitutionality OF the draft law. The
subscriptions. in a recent number ol
the publication, totaled approximately
$1,000.