Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1917-08-05
NEW RULINGS On
EXEMPTIONS PUT
BARS Up HIGHER

WASHINGTON, D. c., August "A
ruling just issued by the postoffice de-
partment shows that department Off
cials will make few requests for the
exemption of postal employees from
military service Postmasters are in
structed not to ask for exemption for
carriers or laborers or for clerks in
second class Offices below the 81 900
brade, or any above these grades un-
less they are qualified distributors of
mail
The ruling is the first formal action
by an executive department in com
ance with President Wilson's order
directing that department officials in
dicate exemptions and that the require
ments of indespenstbility be rididly
enforced, as generally construed the
postal rulings shows the purpose of
the administration to put the Govern
ment department foremost in freeing
valuable employees for war service.
Mail Carriesrs Not Exempt.
Th entire mail carriers force, num-
bering thousands of men, of whom a
considerable percentage are within the
draft age limit, is excluded from ex-
emption unless the physical reasons
or because they have dependent fam
lilies. Every portion of the country is
reached by the ruling as even the ru-
raj carriers are included.
The departments ruling in regard to
clerks leaves railway and mail clerks
within the exemption classes, as they
are highly specialized distributors.
Provost Marshall General Crowder
took steps today to reduce the number
OF exemptions because of dependent
families Instructions were sent to the
of all States pointing out
that the minimum pay of soldiers is
now $50 month, and that local boards
must consider whether mans depen-
dents could not be supported on that
The telegram follows:
Can Provide for Dependents.
please call attention to local boards
to the fact that a soldiers pay is not
less than $50 month and that all
subsistence, medical treat
ment and housing are furnished him.
Under the law he may allot any portion
Of his pay to dependent Many SOL
diers receiving $50 a month are easily
able to allot s25 to the support of de-
pendents. In case of death in line of
duty the Government will pay to the
designated by the soldier
six months pay.
Section 4 of the selectice service
ace provides that those on a status
with respect to persons dependent upon
them for support, which renders their
exclusion or discharge advisable may
be discharged, but does not require
that they shall be discharged in all
such cases. The discretion of local
boards is invoked by this provision
and such boards may well take the
facts recited above into consideration
in deciding claims for discharge due
ID dependency with a view to deter
mint, ~ x.,bethor &c a y,,at+ar Of font tbo.
lerson, claiming such discharge will
lot be in as good or better position
o support his dependents after selec-
ion for military service than he was
,efore. If such is the case, of course,
he discharge should not be granted
Many KnOtty Problems.
Government officials generally are
beginning to take up the individual
questions that arise where Government
employees are called for service. Sec
'etary Daniels said today that knotty
problems were arising in the Navy
as to what individuals in
he clerical navy draughtsmen, are
skilled workers at the navy yards are
absolutely indispensable.
General Crowder has suggested to
he Governors that each assemble the
ull membership Of all district boards
i his State for a general conference
o insure uniform proceedings regard
ng appeals. The Governors were
lsked also to appoint an official in
ZACH local districe to file appeals
1ounty attorneys were suggested.