The Pensacola journal., 1917-08-16
Important Proceedings Have
Been Promulgated by
Provost General.
CANNOT APPEAR
WITH ATTORNEYS
Proof of Various Claims
Must Be Made Clear
by Affidavit.

Rules governing the procedure Of
exemption boards have been sent to
every hoard by the provost marshal
general, and the machinery for se~
lectlng the men to serve in the new
national army is complete as far as
exemption claims are concerned Ap-
peal boards have also received in
structions. and at the meeting of the
two appeal boards for the northern
and southern districts of Florida, ad~
ditlonal rulings were agreed upon.
In the first bulletin of regulations
sent out, under the heading of proce-
dure for local boards, it is stated
that local boards will not permit ap-
pIlcants to appear by attorney, or to
present oral arguments or file writ
ten briefs. Case of doubt on legal
questions will be stated in the form OF
an inquiry and forwarded to the gov
ernOr. In formulating such questions
the boards are permitted to consult
the county or city attorney
The regulations prescribe that proof
of the various claims shall be maze
by affidavit of a specific tenor, and
1T is permitted applicants to submit
by affidavit any Of such other J.
dence as may be required in ,
opinion of the local board to subs..-
tiate such claim.
These provisions are intended TO
pedite proceedings by restristin $751;.
presentation of proof by claimants .5
much as possible to aifidavits 10 al
boards are urged to bear in mind that
the proceedings are not controversial,
but they are allowed to investigate
the merits Of information bearing on
claim, which is brought to their at
tention. Ordinarily. the board should
act on the case as presented in the
claim and in the supporting affidavits,
but where the board Is not satisfied
with the evidence presented it may
investigate the facts stated in the af-
tidavits by questioning the affiants
The regulations require that a Ger
tain number of affidavits must be sub
mitted, bearing on the claim, and of
a specific tenor, before exemption or
discharge is granted. In the absence
of the required number of afTidavits
of the prescribed substance, local
boards may not exempt or discharge
the applicant. but must hold him for
sary affidavits the board NAV use dis
cretionary powers.
If the board is dissatisfied with the
amount or quality of the proof. but
is still of the opinion that the claim
is meritorlous, it may cal for fur
ther evidence, or if the proof, though
apparently sufficient is not believed
by the board, it may make further
investigation.
The grave responsibility of the ap-
peal boards is stressed in a third
bulletin issued by General Crowderf
impreslng upon the members two
things which are sought to be accom-
plished: TO raise armies, and to main
tain industries. AS the war pro-
crosses, greater demands must be
made on the man power of the coun-
try, but at the same time as little IN
reference as possible must be per-
mitted in industries The bulletin
states that a balance must be struck
and maintained between the military
and the industrial needs Of the nation,
and the necessary sacrifice must be-
distributed with scientific accuracy
and in such q way as to accomplish
both purposes of the nation. The
very statement Of the problem dem
onstrates most forcibly that in max
ing this economic balance it is the
interest of the nation that must he
considered, and that the interests Of
individuals or associations cannot be
considered as such, and indeeI, rnn
only benefit from the action of the
boards, when the individual interest
comedies with the interest Of The
nation.
The question in an individual case
is. then, always twofold:
~ Is the industry in question
necessary to the maintenance OF the
military establishment or the effective
operation of the military forces or the
maintenance of the national interest
during the emergency?
~ Does the person by or in re-
spect of whom the discharge is
claimed occupy such a status in re-
spect of such a necessary industry,
that his place could not be filled by
another without direct, Substantial.
material loss ard detrimcnt to the
adequate and effective operation Of
(Crr+iruad an pa1a Tue