Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-04
URGES PRESIDENT
TOFREE FIREMEN
Congressman Scott Appeals
for Exemption for City's
Protectors
WILL PAY MEN GALE ID

President Wilson was today urged by
Congressman John r. Is Scott 20 reverse
the ruling OF Provost Marshal General
Crowder and exempt flremen as class from
the draft act. Calling them for service IN
the new National Army would prove
serious menace to the community at large
Mr. Scott said.
Both District Appeal Boards in Philadel-
phia today resumed the work of passing on
appeals from draft decisions rendered oy
the local registration boards. Board NO. i
met in the Provldent Life and Trust Com
pany Building, No. met in the Federal
Building.
Government army pay for the PhiladeI-
phians included in the first per cent OF
the citr's quota will start tomorrow. accord
ing to an official announcement.
These are the latest features Of the draft
situation in this city
Mr.. Scott's appeal on behalf Of the fire.
men was made at conference with the
President at the White House today
TRAINED FIREMEN NEEDED
Mr.. Scott pointed out to the President
that firemen in large cities are trained men
who. by reason of their experience ana
training. are invaluable to the communities.
lie asked that men certified as indispensa-
bic by fire chiefs be exempted.
such men cannot be obtained upon short
notice" he said. "and upon their ability and
skill rest the safety and security of the lives
and property of the inhabitants of our
thickly populated cities. In case of attack
from without upon any of our cities a
grave responsibility would rest upon the
fire department. and in all probability the
amount of damage inflicted would depend
upon their efforts.
Adequate fire protection for individual
plants engaged on Government work is
vitality important. not only to the section
involved but to the country at large.> The
public welfare requires that the trained hre-
fighter be kept at his post.
The pay ruling is to be effective. despite
the fact that the men called in the first per
cent quota will not leave for Camp Meade,
Nd until September 10. They WILL never
theless, be rated as In the Governments
service and be paid and fed accordingly,
starting September T.
This announcement has been made to all
the local draft boards by kilograms from
Colonel Frank c. Sweeney, Government
officer in charge of the State draft head.
quarters in Harrisburg
Colonel Sweeney explained however that
only those who were to have been called
into service tomorrow would be placed Oh
the Governments payroll on that date
The action was deemed necessary viz
,ually all the men had made arrangements
TO resign their positions in anticipation of
the scheduled departure for camp tomorrow.
Colonel Sweeney said that others accepted
for service. and who are to be called later
in the first draft, will NOT be paid yet by the
Government
Announcement also was made that men
from the western part of the State. sched-
uled TO leave for Camp Lee. at Petersburg
Va, will go next Saturday
WALNUT EXPLAINS STATEMENT
"A statement to the effect that there
army has been attributed to me- said r.
Henry Walnut. who is aiding the District
Attorneys Office in its work on the draft
"and in some quarters the quotation has
unfortunately. given a wrong impression
Some persons have taken it as an intima-
ton that the District Attorneys office or
personally entertained some suspicion that