Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-17
SERVICE OF MARRIED
MEN IN ARMY is
DISCUSSED BY REAGAN
Chairman of North Georgia
District Board IRtimateS
That Men With Dependents
Will Be Allowed Discharge

Judge f. J. Reagen, chairman of the
district board for the southern section
OF Georgia, made two important state
ments Wednesday morninE-one in re-
gard to married men being chosen for
army service. the other la regard to
claims TO discharge based on industrial
grounds.
He said that he didn't think any mar
ried man ought TO be selected for SER
vice unless the man or his wife has
property, or some other independent
means OF income, oy which she can be
adequately Supported in his absence.
He was asked if he thought a mar
ried mans claim to discharge should
be refused because his wife's parents
were able TO support her.
But they might not be willing TO
support her" he answered.
do you think that where mar
ried man would earn as much in the
army as he would in civil life that he
should be refused discharged" was the
next question.
II do not" he said. who knows
whether the man in question would be
willing 10 send back money from the
army2"
Tine whole question of discharging
men because they have dependent rela-
tives is set forth plainly in the regula-
tions." continued Judge Reagan. The
selective service act provides that
where a man is the sole support Of his
wife. children. infirm parents or broth
er or sister under sixteen years of age,
that he shall be discharged from mill
tary service, and the district board will
abide by that law
This opinion of Judge Reagan's is of
great Importance. in view of the fact
that il is contrary 20 the attitude
adopted by many of the local boards.
In two divisions in Atlanta, for instance,
the boards have taken the position that
a married man should not be excused
IL his earnings in the army would be
as great as in civil life-if, in short, he
could contribute as much to the support
of his family as a soldier as he does
as a civilian.
All cases of discharge granted by the
local boards because of dependent rela-
tives will be reviewed by the district
board, and the latter has the power 70
reverse the local boards when 1T sees
1T.
Judge Reagan's second statement was
that the district board is utterly at sea
in regard to claims to discharge based
on industrial reasons.
DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND
mo regulation ever passed by the gov
eminent has ben harder 20 understand,
he said. "IU is SO vague that we don't
know where we stand Z have no idea
what the boards position will be in
regard TO industrial claims. except that
il will discharge no man unless he
proves that he is a necessary part OF
a necessary industry. But how is he
going to do that. / don't know"
He went on to say that the regula-
tions specify that no class of people
as a class shall ne discharged.
But take farmers" he said. Isn't
one farm. almost without exception
lust like another? Some might argue
If you discharge one farmer you ought
TO discharge all OF them.
We'll, is that a fact?' he was ask
ed Are you going to discharge all
of the farmers or none of them?"
"rm just telling you what certain
sspects of the case are" he answered
you'll have TO draw your own deduc-
lions. The district board itself has
been able to reach no decision in regard
to Industrial claims"