The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-08-09
MBERG, S. c., THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 1917.
VERY FEW EXEMPTIONS.
Rural Carriers and POStOflice En-
ploycc> Not Exempted from Draft.


the exemption Of postal employees
from military service. POstmasters
are instructed not to ask for eXemp-
tiOn for carriers or labCrcrS or for
clerks in second class offices below
the 81 900 grade, clerks in first class
offices below the 81 100 grade. or any
above these grades unless they are
qualified distributors OF mail.
The ruling is the first formal action
by an executive department in COM
pliance with President Wilson's orde!
directing that department officials in
dicate exemptions and that the re-
Guirement of Indispensable be rig
idly enforced. As generally constru-
ed. the postal ruling shows the pur-
pose of the administration to make
the government leaders in freeing
valuable employees for war service.
The entire mail carrier force, num-
bering thousands OF men. OF whom
a considerah hle percentage are within
the draft age limits. is excluded from
exemption unless for physical rea-
sons or because they have dependent
families. Every portion OF the coun-
try is reached by the ruling. as even
the rural carriers are included.
The departments ruling in regard
to clerks leaves railway mail clerks
within the exemption class. as they
are highly specialized distributors.
Reduces Exemptions.
Provost Marshal General Crowder
took steps Friday to reduce the num-
ber of exemptions because Of depen-
dent families. Instructions were sent
to the governors OF all States point
ing out that the minimum pay of SOL
diers is now $50 a month and that
local boards must consider whether
a mans dependents could not be sup
ported on that amount. The tele-
gram follows:
please call attention OF local
boards to the fact that soldier S
pay is not less than thirty dollars a
month. and that all clothing, subsis-
tence. medical treatment and hous-
ing are furnished him. Under the
law he may allot any portion of his
pay to a dependent. Many soldiers
receiving thirty dollars a month are
easily able to allot twenty-five dollars
monthly to the support of dependents.
In case of death in line Of duty, the
government will pay to the benefi-
ciary designated by the soldier six
months pay.
'Section + Of the selective service
act provides that those in a status
with respect to persons dependent up
ON them for support which renders
their exclusion or discharge advisa-
bic may be discharged, but it does
not require that they shall be dis
charged in all such cases. The dis
cretion of local boards is invoked by
this provision and such boards may
we'll take the facts recited above in
to consideration in deciding claims
for discharge due to dependency with
view Of fact. the person claiming
such discharge will not be in as good
or better position to support his de-
pendents after selection for military
service than he was before. If such
is the case, OF course. the discharge
should not be granted.
knotty Problems.
Government officials generally are
beginning to take up the individual
questions that arise where govern
ment employees are called for service.
Secretary Daniels said Friday that
knotty problems were arising in the
navy department as to what indlvld-
uals in the clerical force. navy
draughsmen or skilled workers at
the navy yards are absolutely indis-
pensable.
The number of exemptions asked
by the various departments will be
reduced to the absolute minimum. 1t
is indicated, even if some temporary
arrangement of the clerical work re-
suits. General Crowder has suggest
ed to the governors that each as
semble full membership Of all dis
trict boards in his State for a general
conference to insure uniform pro-
ceedings regarding appeals. The gov
ernors were asked also to appoint
an official in each local district to
file appeals. County attorneys were
suggested
Eleventh Hour Ties No Immunity.
Washington, August 2.-l,Ocal en-