Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-09-26
NO "PULL" IN DRAFT CASES.
Communications Bearing OH Appeal
Cases Barred by Fed. Ruling.

Columbia, Sept. 2l.--The only ap-
peal that can be made to the Presi-
dent on claims for exemption or dis
charge from selective service is on
grounds Of engagement in industry
or agriculture, according to a dccis-
ion from Provost Marshal Gen. Crow
der. which has been wired to Cover
nor Manning. Such appeals must
be filed with the district boards,
which are to transmit them to the
President. with all the evidence in
their possession. No appeal to the
President. for any cause, Is allowed
from the local boards, and when a
case is on appeal to the Chief Mrsis-
tratc from district board "sugges-
tions, urgings or statements" con-
forbidden
'The President, therefore," says
tho decision. has directed the War
Department to decline to discuss
cases pending on appeal or to enter
tain any communication, suggestion
or additional evidence or statements
concerning them"
Won't 10 Considered.
This decision will effectively stop
appeals to State delegations in Con-
gress and the War Department in be-
half Of selected men. which custom
has been prevalent throughout the
country, 1t Is said. When such ap-
peals are received hereafter, in the
light of the latest ruling OF Gen
Crowder. consideration of them must
be refused. as far as the War De.
partment Is concerned. Illustrating
this point the opinion says that there
is no administrative authority to in
terfere with the selective service reg
ulations In particular cases, and to
do so "would be subversive of the
letter and spirit OF the selectlve SER
President prescribed thereun der"
In other words, according to the in
depreciation Of the ruling, political or
other "pull" will not be allowed to
interfere with the operation of the
national army.
In Case OF Error.
The ruling says that either the dis
trict or the local board can reopen a
case In which there has been an er-
ror, up to the time the claimant has
been ordered into the service. In
case Of doubt as to the Interpretation
OF the regulations any board can ap-
peal to the Governor for a ruling on
the uncertain point. Should the
Governor be unable to clear up the
difficulty he can get an opinion from
Washington. Any individual, says
the ruling, who believes that either
the district or the local boards have
erroneously interpreted the law can
appeal to the Governor. who, being
convinced that such boards are in er-
ror as to the regulations, can order
the particular ease reopened.
The full text Of the ruling Of the
provost marshal general follows:
Gen. Crowtlcr's Ruling.
"Appeals to the Presidents:
'Only statements or evidence sub
mitted to district boards to be con-
sidered on appeal. Communications
from other sources concerning pend
ing cases to be declined and discus
sion concerning them forbidden.
Claims for exemption or dis
charge on the ground Of engagement
in industry and agriculture are with
in the original jurisdiction Of the
district boards. Decision of the dis
trict boards is final except that the
President may affirm, modify or re-
verse such decision In accordance
with regulations prescribed by him.
The regulations prescribed by the
President provide for appeal from
the decision Of the district board on
agricultural and Industrial claims,
but the claim for appeal must be
filed with the district board. which
will send all evidence and other mat
ter considered in the case to the
Presiednt for his consideration. If
after the decision Of the district
board 1t is desired to submit new
matter the district board may reopen
the case. consider such new matter
and. If it adheres to its original de-
cision. forward such new matter to
tho President. Matter not presented
LEMONS MAKE SKIN