Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-06-28
WILSON NAMES |
DRAFT BOARDS
FOR THE STATES
Exemption Regulations to Be An
nOunCed Soon.
WORK TO START NEXT WEEK
Report From the White House Says
That Men Will Be Selected Not
Only for the Army but for All
Other War Work.

Washington, June 27.-President
Wilson today appointed the local
boards named by the governors to
hear exemption claims on the first
draft, by which 65OOO0 are to be Sc
lected for the army.
The rules governing exemptions
have not yet been issued, but will be
soon, so the work of selecting the
army may be begun next week.
In a great majority of the cases the
personnel of the boards shows that
President Wilson followed the Sugges-
tiOns of army officials that city and
county officials be utilized.
Boards Named by Governors.
The president however, had asked
the governors of the various states
to nominate candidates for the
boards, and 1t may be assumed that
the boards as announced have the
approval, not only of the president,
but Of the state executives.
In New York city and Philadelphia
the boards have not yet been an
nOunced.
The "a states in which committees
are complete, with those exceptions,
are Washington, West Virginia, Utah,
Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Mime
sofa, Nevada Montana, Nebraska, New
Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina,
North Dakota, Oklahoma, Colorado,
South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas,
Tennessee Connecticut, Illinois, New
York and Pennsylvania.
Exemption regulations were whipped
into final shape at the cabinet meet
ing. President Wilson probably will
promulgate them within the next As
hours.
With few exceptions, the rules are
the same as contained in the draft
submitted to President Wilson by
Provost General Crowder. 1t is un-
derstood the president eliminated Ger
tain exemptions, believing every man
in the nation must do his share in the
war, whether on the battle front OF
not, and work within the country on
war duties will be found for many un,
lit physically to go into the trenches
Will Draft for War Work.
information emanating from the
White House during the last two days
indicates the draft will be much heav
ier than has been suspected. Instead
of merely picking men for the army
many VIII be drafted for other wal
work.
The grounds on which exemptions
will be made on the first draft follow
1. Physical incapacity, including
heart disease, fiat feet, eye defect:
which cannot be corrected by glasses
tuberculosis and other chest diseases
cancer, kidney or liver affections, vari
cOse veins, infectious blood diseases.
2. Employment in vital war indus
tries, including shipbuildlng, munitions
making, work in gun and supply fac
tories, navy yards, oil fields coal mines
and certain government duties. Even
tuaIly women will replace many o
these men, who will be released TO
army service.
3. Religious opposition. Only thOs
who were members of such faith be
fore March 10 will be exempted.
4 Men the sole support of families.
The instructions to the exemption
boards include drastic provisions t.
prevent favoritism and evasion o
service The boards are expected t,
begin work Immediately after receiv
ing notice of appointment.