The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-07-29
No Shadow of Favoritism Must
Be Permitted in Passing On
Exemption Claims
EXAMINATIONS TO
START HERE WEDNESDAY
Three of the Five Division
Boards Mailed Notices Of
Draft Yesterday-Others to
Go Out Tomorrow

Washington, July 2s.-President
Wilson tonight declared that there
must be no favored class in exemp-
ton from the draft. He calls on all
federal departmental officers to see
that only unreplacealle civilians ara
exempted. He prescribes the most
minute regulations for carrying the
order out Each cabinet officer will
be held responsible for the exenip-
tions in his own department
At the same time Provost Marshal
General Crowder issued a statement
indicating that no man would be ex-
empted for merely personal reasons.
This means that married men will go.
The nation needs men and needs them
quickly, says General Crowder. and
from every one is demanded a sacri-
fee
President Wilson expects this exam
pie to be followed the country over.
1T is earnestly hoped" he said.
that, acting in the same spirit as the
federal departmental officials. all citi-
zens who may be called upon as en-
ployers under section A of the regu-
lations to make affdavits for secur-
ing the discharge of persons deemed
to be indispensa BILE to national indus
trial interests during the emergency
Will exercise the same scrupulous cau-
ton to the end that there will appear
to be no favored or exempted class
among the citizens called by the law
TO the national defense"
The declaration of the president will
end the hopes of hundreds of young
men who came to Washington and
accepted any sort of mental occupa-
tions in the departments. believing
that this would relieve them of mill
tary duty.
Perform High Duty Faithfully.
General Crowder, in charge of the
draft, accompanies further instruc-
tons to the exemption boards sent
out tonight with a serious appeal for
them to perform the high duty en-
trusted to them.
Remember" he tells the boards,
the selected man offers his life.
There is no greater giving than this.
that is made for individual reasons or
TO escape personal loss of money or
property or for favor or affection.
some other man whose time would
not otherwise have come must incur
the risk of losing his life"
In view of the high national i'm
portance of carrying out the spirit OF
the selective service act" the presi-
dents order reads, land OF securing
its fullest effectiveness by holding to
military service all drafted men who
are not absolutely Indispensable to
the work of the civil executive depart
ments by reason OF the personal ex-
perience and skill, l direct that the
greatest care be exercised by depart
ment officials in issuing the affidavits
OF necessity provided for by the presi-
dental regulations, section 20 para
graphs r, C and d, for the purpose
OF authorizing the discharge of such
persons by LOCAL boards"
These paragr phs set forth the gem
"a ole nf rnr
may claim exemption. They are cer-
tain postal employees. arsenal and gun
factory employees and employees whom
the president may designate Then
followed the presidents instructions
that the affidavit OF the employees I'M
mediate superior to the effect that he
cannot he replaced in the civilian
service must be approved or disap-
proved by the responsible ca hinet Of
ficer or department head. The regu-
iations apply to persons both within
and without the District of Columbia
General Crowder's instructions is
sued today are to the, local boards,
impressing upon the members the se-
rious and sacred duties that lie be-
fore them.
Entering a Difficult Task.
You are entering on difficult
task he says. mo people ever an
preached war with a calmer apprecia-
ton OF that sacrifice or a firmer re-
solve to bear it and to present them-
selves to be classified for service in
the place to which it shall best serve
the common good to call Them In
this public confidence Is found the
very spirit of the selective service
law. The most sacred rights of coun-
try. home and family are entrusted
for adjudication to local citizens and
officials, nominated by state governors
and appointed by the president The
most equitable rules that could be
devised have been prescribed for
guidance and the administration Of
these rules and the sacrifice that 10
offered by your neighbors Is entrusted
to your hands.
From every one is demanded Z
sacrifice But there is one thought
to be kept always in your mind. The
selected man offers his life There
thought should guide YOU always.
There may be a few who will urge
upon you claims for exemption or dis
charge that, whatever may be your In
clinations of sympathy or affection.
you will know ought not to be grant
ed. 1t will strengthen you to remcm-
Der that for every exemption or dis
charge that is made for individual
convenience or to escape personal
loss of money or property, or for
favor Of affection. some other man
whose time would not otherwise have
come. must incur the risk OF losing hio
life. There can be no room for hest-
tation In such q case.
Another fundamental thought q
this: You are not a court for adjust
ment Of differences between two per-
sons in controversy. You are agents
OF the government engaged In select-
ting mon for the government and therN
IL no controversy Yoa acting for the
government are to investigate eArA
q n In fhA fnfArAafn A. thu raAff0n 49, ~