The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1917-11-23
ALL EXONERATIONS
FROM u. S. SERVICE
ARE NOW CALLED
new REGULATIONS IN EFFECT CANCEL
ALL EXEMPTIONS AND DISCHARGES
GRANTED UNDER OLD SYSTEM.

Information concerning the new
draft regulations under which the re-
naming available of the nine mil
lion men registered for military duty
will be drafted for service with the
colors has been received by the Off
Gals of the district board here
The new regulations are coincident
with the division of eligibles into five
classes, and the circulation of the
official questionaires, which have been
discussed in previous announcements.
The new regulations repeal all pre-
ceding regulations, cancel all eXemp-
tions and discharges granted under
the old system and restore every reg
istered man to his original status. He
will hereafter be required to undergo
all examinations anew and present his
claims for exemption again.
AS the new classifcations make
more liberal provisions for leaving
men with dependents in the classes to
be called last, it is practically certain
every man who had legitimate ex-
emption ON the ground of dependen-
cy under the old regulations will get
the same under the new ones. The
first class which embraces men who'll
ly without dependents is expected to
bring in fully two million men.
Steps to prevent the voluntary en-
listment of all men between the ages
Of 21 and 81 years of age were taken
by the provost marshal generals Of
flee Saturday. The prohibition will be
effective after December Is.
This is the most drastic change ap-
pearing in the new selective draft
regulation, announced by Provost
Marshal General Crowder An ex-
ception of persons between the ages
mentioned in the army, navy and
marine corps, provided those desir-
Gus of enlisting present satisfactory
evidence that their serial numbers
are SO high as not to be affected by
the second draft.
Men of draft age with dependent
relatives are placed in a more secure
position under the new regulations
to govern future operations of the
selective service law. While defer
red classification under the new plan,
which replaces all discharge or ex-
emption certificates, may be revoked
when granted for any other cause,
there is no way in which men with
dependents can be called up for ser
vice out of their turn.
|
secured by the requirement in cases
where the registrant seeks to waive
his deferred classification status that
waivers also must be obtained from
those dependent upon him before he
can be taken into the military ser
vice.
The effect of the regulations is to
| close the ranks of the army, navy or
y-1r rI !,
tween II and 81 years of age when
they have dependents upon them who
would suffer if they went to the front.
Local boards are constituted judges
of all such cases.
For the first time also way is
provided in which men physically un-
fitted for the front line duty in the
army and yet able to do so!1e rart
OF the work of solder may be cali
ed for limited service behind the lines.
Ps;rt.si physical exemptions r'uv be
grated by local boards to crate this
new classification.
There will be no physical examin-
ations until there comes a call for a
second draft. This date is not yet
set. Under the new regulations all
Iregistrants may appeal from the de-
cision of the physical examiner. Up
on filing their appeal they will go
before medical advisory board to
be appointed in each local district
The local board must then act upon
the report of the medical advisory
board
Reasonable extensions of time will
be allowed men in returning the ques
tionaires when due to unavoidable
circumstances.
The most noteworthy changes in
the regulations, outside of the crea-
ton of an emergency fleet to per-
nit ship workers to remain at their
jobs, are as followes:
Local boards are granted virtually
judicial powers to summon witnesses
and obtain information. Local po-
lice will see that any witness re-
spends
A definite program OF correspond
ence between the boards, State Off
cials and the Provost Marshal Gener-
ais office is provided to keep this as
pect of the business decentralized and
moving smoothly.
The entire postoffice machinery is
drafted to aid local boards in tracing
registrants. and right of way for mail
connected with draft proceedings Is
required.
Local boards are authorized 20
grant partial exemption for partial
physical disability, reserving the men
in this status for special and linn
tied military service"
Authority is granted to form spe-
cial classes Of men highly skilled in
particular trades or professions and
summon them under this special
heading, regardless of their grouping
in the general classification plan
The Secretary of War may revoke
original classification, except that no
man granted deferred classification
because of dependents may
be advanced i'm any way or
called for service out of his
regular order. When deferred class
ification has been granted 70. iEdus-
trial or agricultural reasons, spec
tally qualified registrant may be
summoned out of his turn.
Under the new regulations, dis
triCt boards become purely appellate
boards, before which can be heard
only evidence originating before the
local board. For additional facts,
the case must be returned 20 the local
board.
1t is made plain that men already
held by local boards for service will
continue to be sent forward as need
ed until such time as tine new Class
l in, each district is sufficiently Or
paniZed to care for draft from the