The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1917-07-05
FIRST DRAFT RULES OUT
In the Case Of Married Men. the
Wife or q Third Party May
Make Claim for Elk
emption,

to govern the next step toward Sc
lecting the first National Army from
the millions registered for service
June S were issued today at the d.
rection Of President Wilson, They
leave to be prescribed later the man.
ner Of determining the order of LA
bility of the men registered, but set
forth in great detail the method OF
arriving at exemptions and the work
generally of the local and district
boards named to carry out the task.
Exemption regulations add little to
the terms of the draft law, the ques-
tion of whether man between the
ages of Fl and 80 is entitled to ex-
emption because of dependents, the
nature Of his occupation or physical
unfitness being for the boards to de-
eide after proper investigation.
1t is made very clear, however, that
there are to be no class exemptions
and that each individual case must
be decided upon its merits. The local
boards--one for each county of less
than $4,000 population or city of 3o.-
900. with additional boards where
necessary for each additional 10000
population-will pass upon claims
for exemption except those based up
on industrial or agricultural occupa-
ton, subject to appeal to the district
boards.
All cases involving agricultural or
industrial exemptions will be passed
upon by the district boards-one for
each federal judicial district-which
also will decide appeals from decis-
ions of the local boards.
In the near future date will be
set by Brigadier General Crowder,
provost marshal general, for the
meeting and organization of the
boards. AT the same time it is ex-
pected that the selection regulations
will be promulgated SO that the pro-
cess may be put under way without
delay. The present intention is to
call those selected to the colors about
September or as soon thereafter
as the environments to house them
can be completed.
In statement accompanying the
announcement of the regulations the
President called upon the boards of
selection to do their work fearlessly
and impartially and to remember
that "our armies at the front will be
strengthened and sustained if they be
composed of men free from any sense
of injustice in-their mode of selec-
ton"
The statement follows:
The regulations which am to-
day causing to be promulgated, pur-
suant to the direction of the Select
i've Service Law. cover the remaining
steps of the plan for calling into the
service OF the United States qualified
men from those who have registered;
those selected as the result of this
process to constitute. with the regu-
lar army, the national guard and the
navy, the fighting forces of the Ma
ton, all of which forces are under
the terms of the law placed in a posi-
ton OF equal right, dignties and re-
sponsibilities with the members of
all other military forces.
The regulations have been drawn
with view to the needs and circum-
stances ofthe whole country and pro-
vide system which it is expected
will work with the least inequality
and personal hardship. Any system
of selecting men for military service,
whether voluntary or involuntary in
its operation. necessarily selects,
some, men to bear the burden of
danger and sacrifice for the whole
Nation. The system here provided
places all men of military age upon
an even plane when the selection,
which neither favors one nor penal
ICES the other. calls out the requisite
number for service.
The successful operation of this
faw and of these regulations depends
necessarily upon the loyalty. patriot
ism and justice of the members of the
boards to whom its operation is COM
mitted and l admonish every member
OF every. local board and of every
district board Of review that their
duty to their country requires an inn
partial and fearless performance of
the delicate and difficult duties in
trusted to them.
They should remember as to each
individual case presented to them
thai they are called upon to. adjud- |
icafe the most sacred rights Of the /
individual and to preserve untarn-
ished the honor Of the Nation.
OR armies It the front will Be
strengthened and sustained II they
be c6nposed Of men free from any |
senSe az injnstice in the mode Of se-
ertt6Ss - {hev will be inS63fed to II