Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-21
PRESIDENT TO MODIFY
REGULATIONS OF DRAFT
Will Make His Views Plain on Sec.
tions That Apply to Mar
ried Men.
CROWDER's RULINGS SEVERE
Present Interpretation Creates Class
Distinction and Works Undue
Hardship on Men in Certain
Glasses of Professional Work.

WASHINGTON. August 20. Presi-
dent Wilson is going to modify the
draft regulations as applied to married
men.
This was the forecast by, a source
close to the White House. From the
same authority it was learned thSt the
Presidents Ideas of how the law should
be carried out in this respect will be
made plain before the week ends.
probably in the form of letter to Sec
rotary of War Baker.
The following notifications of the
regulations will be among those to be
suggested. 1t was said to-day:
]. Men with dependent children will
be exempt in every case. unless they
are men of wealth. At present, under
Provost st-Marshal-General Crowder's in
terpretation. such men are not exempt.
II the parents of either themselves or
wife are able to take care of her and
the children.
1t is maintained that the present In.
depreciation OF the law creates class
distinction. Under it, laborinE men
would be exempt in practically every
instance. as their parents or their
wives parents scarcely would be In
position to assume an added burden
while. on the other hand, BUSINESS
scientific and professional men would
hear the brunt of the rule
WORKS GRAVE HARDsHIps
IN NUMBER OF CASES
?. Because a woman worked before
marriage. II will not follow that her
husband Will be refused exemption on
the ground that she can go back to
work and take care OF herself. The
President is sa!a 10 realize that this
view of the ruling. as now applied nv
local boards, on General Crowder's in
structions. works grave hardships in
many cases. a woman's health may not
be rs good as before marriage. and.
what is still more important. she may
not be able to get such a position as
she had when welded. This applies
especially to women who were school
teachers. and in other professional
and semiprofessional empioyments
3. Married men owning their own
businesses. or engaged in the profess
sions. such as doctors. lawyers. archi-
tects. etc, in all probability will re-
ceive exemption. as the President real
ICES that hardships not alone would
he imposed during the period of the
war. but afterwards IL these men were
removed from their homes and forced
to rebuild their business.
In case. however, they have ufti-
Client funds to maintain their wives
during their absence. exemption will
not he granted. The same is true II
either the man or wife has an income
sufficient to meet her needs. as those
needs must he restricted to the ma
tional sacrifice OF war.
WILL ENTAIL NUMBER
OF REHEARINGs ON CLAIMS
Only sixteen days remain before the
first increments Of the drafted forces
Will be on their way TO the training
camps. and any reversal or modifica-
tion OF tho present regulations will
entail a number OF rehearings by dis
trict boards Oh rejected exemption
claims. The President, II Is believed.
Will air his views In sufficient time TO
allow at least ten days for such work.
The White House. until the last
couple OF days, has been flood, with
kilograms from all parts Of The coun.
try. protesting at the severity of the
draft regulations. The Presidents