Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1917-11-23
Men With Dependents Secure
From Draft.

hldue puDlc last saturday by Provost Mar
shal-General Crowder. While deferred
classification under the new plan, which
replaces all discharge or exemption GER
tificates, may be revoked when granted
for any other cause, there is no way in
which men with dependents can be called
up for service out of their turn.
Added protection for dependents is Sc
cured by the requirement in cases where
the reeistrant seeks to waive his deferred
classification status that waivers also must
be obtained from those dependent upon
him before he can be taken into the mill
tary service.
The effect of the regulations is to close
the ranks Of the army. navy or marine
corps absolutely to men between 81 and
81 years of age where they have dependents
upon them who would suffer if they went
to the front. Local boards are constituted
judges of all such cases.
For the first time also way is provided
in which men physically untitled for front
line duty in the army. and yet able to do
some part of the work of soldier, may
be called for limited military service be-
hind the lines. Partial physical exemption
may be granted by local boards to create
this new classification.
The new regulations were announced
last Saturday by Provost Marshall General
Crowder. They are coincident with the
division of eligibles into five classes, and
the circulation of the official question
naires which have been discussed in pre-
vious announcements.
The new regulations, as has been an
nounced before, repeal all preceding reeu-
iations. cancel all exemption and discharges
granted under the old system and restore
every registered man to his original status.
He will hereafter be required to undergo
all examinations anew and present his
claims for exemption again.
AS the new classifications make more
liberal provision for leaving men with de-
pendents in the, classes to be called last,
it is practically certain that every man
who had legitimate exemption on the
ground of dependency under the old regu-
lations will get the same under the new
ones. The first class, which embraces men
wholly without dependents. is expected to
bring in fully 100000 men. The ques-
tiOnaires are now being circulated among
the registrants at the rate Of S per cent. of
each local registration each day. Volun-
teer medical and legal boards being organ
lied in each district will assist registrants
in making out the forms and supporting
affidavits which are very complete.
Where registrants are away from home
districts or in other circumstances, appli-
cation to the local board for question:
aire is all that is required.
The most noteworthy changes in the
regulations. outside of the creation of an
emergency clause to permit shipworkers
to remain at their jobs, are as follows:
Local boards are granted virtually judi
cial powers to summon witnesses and for
obtaining information. Local policeiwill see
that any witness responds.
A definite program of correspondence
between the boards, State officials and
the Provost Marshall Generals Office is pro-
vided to keep this aspect of the business
decentralized and moving smoothly.
The entire postoffice machinery is drafted
to aid local boards in tracing registrants
and right of way for mail connected with
draft proceedings is required.
Local boards are authorized TO grant par
tial exemption for partial physical dis
ability. reserving the men in this status
for special and limited military service.
Authority is granted to form special
classes of men highly skilled in particular
trades or professions and summon them
under this heading. regardless of their
grouping in the general classification plan
The Secretary Of War may revoke original
classification, except that no man granted
deferred classification because of depen-
dents may be advanced in any way or
called for service out of his regular order.
When deferred classification has been
granted for industrial or agricultural rea
sons specially qualified registrant may
be summoned out of his turn.
Under the new regulations. district boards
become appellate bodies before which can
be heard only evidence originating before
the local board. For additional facts the
case must be returned to the local board.
1t is made plain that men already held
by local boards for service will continue to
be sent forward as needed until such time
as the new Class | in each district is suffi-
GENTLY organized to take care of drafts
from the district. All pending appeals
will then be wiped off the slate and the
new system will apply in full.
Another change permits enlistment Of
registered men in the navy and Marine
Corps where they are so far down on the
call list as to make certain that their &C
ton will not delay the task Of army build
ing No credit is given for such enlist
ment on army quotas. however. and local
boards are judges Of each case.
Provision for voluntary enlistment in
the army is made by means Of volun-
tary waiver classification and the auto
matte advancement Of the registrants to
Glass and his induction at once into the
military service. Where the registrant has
dependents his waiver must be accompa-
MED. however, by waivers from those de-
pendent on him. il not minors. or by aft
davits showing that minor dependents will
be adequately provided for, II there are
minor dependents. A waiver by a minor
cannot be accepted.
Giro nit Court.