Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-10-10
CROWDER PLANS
DRAFT CHANGES
Regulation Governing Mar
ried Men Will Be Made
Unambiguous

Washington. d. c.. Oct. 10. The
changes in the War Department regu-
lations governing exemptions under
the selective draft law virtually are
assured of adoption before the second
draft of 100000 men is ordered. One
OF the new regulations is to be a
straiSht-out nonresident rule to gov
e1n married men and others with de-
pendants.
1t became known to-day that promi-
nent members of the draft appeal
boards in several states have con-
ferred with Major General Il. II.
Crowder, the provost marshal general,
both in person and by letter. and that
their recommendations with respect to
revised regulations are being assimi-
lated with a view of a presentation of
concrete suggestions to the President
and the Secretary of War;
General Crowder will not discuss
the proposed changes at this time for
the reason that discomfort and bad
humor might arise in the ranks of the
first National Army If the impression
were given at this time that eXemp-
tions might be easier of attainment
IN certain cases in the next draft. He
visions are contemplated, but MEM
bers of the draft appeal boards called
here have stated the purposes of their
missions.
New Rule For Married Men
1t is considered certain that a new
rule Will be laid down for guidance
OF the local exemption boards in cases
were received by General Crowder
over these cases than all others COM
bined. due to different interpretations
Of the regulations by the different
try all married men were exempted;
in many others men in similar finan-
cial circumstances and having child
ren were denied exemptions.
The boards in numerous cases ac-
cepted the Presidents construction of
the regulations as favoring discharge
of married men, while others took a
directly opposite view. The President
merely reiterated what was set forth
IN the original regulations, that the
fact of dependency and not the fact
of marriage" should be cause for ex-
emption.
Many boards excused men on this
ground without inquiring into the
whether a man drawn, had other
from his mental or physical labor.
-, general Crowder believes that if
ply a literal construction to the old
regulations as written that slight
cause for controversy over eXemp-
tion on the ground of dependency can
arise: but that such was not the case
in the first draft is admitted frankly.
iMcmberS OF Congress Interested
IN the proposed change in the regu-
lations,, and many favor a hard and
fast rule. stated in plain English, to
govern not only exemptions for de-
pendency, but for agricultural and
industrial reasons as we'll Repre-
sentative Madden, of Illinois, will
urge Congress, to. adopt an amend
ment to the draft law, stating the
various classes of industrial workers
that are to be exempt and the types
of employment so included Farm
ers' organizations throughout the
country have pettioned Congress for
a plain statement in the law relative
to the exemption of farm labor.
One of the points in connection
with the proposed revision of the eX-
emptfon regulations causing annoy
ance at the War Department. relates
to men exempted in the first draft.
Under the law as construed by Cen
tion is valid only so long % as the
basis for exemption exists. Under
this ruling, If changes are made in
the rules so that men exempted for
one cause or another in the first draft
would be held for service if called
on the second list, these exempted
men will be subject to call.