Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-08-12
LINES Being DRAWN
TIGHT IN MATTER
OF EXEMP T10NS
Rigid Character of Draft
Act Beginning to Be
Realized.
ERRONEOUS VIEW HELD
OF new LAWS PURPOSE
Framed by Congress in Interest
Of Nation, Not of the
Individual.
FACT EMPHASIZED BY CROWDER
District Boards Throughout Country
Instructed to Make Governments
FACT EMPHASIZED BY CRowDER
District Boards Throughout Country
Instructed to Make Governments
Action Their Guide.
Inv A.,oe,atsa Prs...l

by Associated Press.
WASHINGTON. August 11.-Renewcd
emphasis was laid by Provost Marshal
General crowder to-day upon the fact
that Congress framed the army draft
law In tho interest of the nation. not
Of the individual. For that reason the
lines are being drawn tight in the
matter OF exemptions.
Tho government has acted slowly In
bringing home to the people the rigid
character OF tho draft act. There has
been much discussion OF the exemp-
tion problem. based on erroneous
view OF the laws purpose. which as
sumed that married men. for instance.
would be exempted Without question.
and that tho burden Of military duty
was TO be carried fully by the single
men among the 100000 registered.
General Crowder has taken tho posi-
ton in recent rulings that married
men will be exempted only when it
is to the interest OF the government
that they should be excused from SER
vice. II the removal of the drafted
man from his family circle probably
would result in the family becoming a
public burden. 1t is to the interest Of
tho government to leave him in his
civil occupation
GOVERNMENT TAKES LEAD
IN CLOSE SCRUTINY
An Interpretation similarly rigid has
now been placed upon exemptions for
Industrial reasons. The government
has taken the lead in scrutinizing
oto So5
ployees before asking that they be cx-
empted. Bureau chiefs, who must file
afidavits with the proper board show
ing that man is Indispensable before
he can be excused. have been instruct
ed TO exercise the greatest care.
District boards throughout tho coun-
try have been instructed to make the
governments action their guide In
dealing with claims for exemption OF
men in private employment. An en-
ploycr seeking exemption for a man
no considers Indispensable must first
make showing In regard to that bust
ness. He must prove to the boards
satisfaction that his industry is neces-
sary to the public interest or to the
maintenance cf the military establish
ment. and supplement this showing
with affidavits stating that the partic-
ular individual is Indispensable to the
industry. Circumstances Of employ
ment must be stated and reasons given
as to why it would be impossible to
replace the registered man with an
other. not of military age, or with a
woman.
WHOLESALE ATTEMPTS
TO EvADE THE DRAFT
Reports to the provost-marshal-ge gen.
eral have indicated plainly that whole
sale attempts to evade the draft
through the dependency clause Of the
regulations is in progress in many
places. The additional cautions sent
to district boards in regard to indus
trial exemptions. it is hoped, will fore
stall similar attempts as that stage of
proceedings is reached. The govern
ment is also in a strong position in
regard to discharges granted by the
local selection boards because of de-
pendents, is an appeal has been re-
corded automatically in each case, and
II Will be possible 10 reopen 1t before
the district board and make sure that
no evasion of duty has been permitted.
The Office force at General Crowd
ers headquarters has been materially
reduced. and virtually all the officers
who have aided him In the huge task
OF carrying through the draft snow
have been detailed to the national
army.