Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1917-08-01
ARMY DRAFT.
FIRST CALL FOR EXAMINATION
ISSUED TO-DAY.
PRESIDENT CALLS ATTENTION OF Elk
EMPTroN BOARDS TO GRAVITY OF
THEIR TAsK-No GENERAL CLASS
OF WORK MEN EXEMPT.

the army draft. Hancock county must
furnish 226 men in the first quota. While
the instructions to the exemption board
provide for calling for examination just
twice this number, 1t is believed that many
more than this. perhaps the fuu 1000
whose names appear herewith, may be
necessary to secure the 226, because OF ex-
emptions and previous enlistments. Boz
ton estimates that !, 900 men must be ex-
amined to secure 1871 required in one pre-
cinct.
The Hancock county exemption board
this morning sent out its call for
the first squad for examination. The first
call is for $50 men to appear Monday,
Aug. 6, $50 toappear Tuesday, Aug. 7, and
152 to appear Wednesday, Aug. 5. II the
quota of &c is not filed from
these, it is probable that authority
will be given Tor calling more men, ia the
order as their names appear bcre.
EXEMPTION BOARD HAS GRAVE TASK.
The gravity OF the tass which faces
members OF drsf, exc nption boards is
called TO their attention in solemn
language in communication sent broad
cast by the war department and made
public Saturday by the proves, marshal
general, Brigsdier General Cro~der.
"rhe selected man offers his life,'' says
General Crowder. at will strengthen
you to remember that for every exemption
convenience or to escape personal loss OF
money or property or favor or affection,
some other man whose time would not
otherwise have come must incur the risk
OF losing his life.''
The boards are told they are not courts
to adjust differences between two persons
in controversy. .You, acting for the
government" says the communication,
.'are to investigate each case in the
interests OF the nation, and never / n the
interests of an individual
General Crowder closes with the
declaration that the nation needs men
quickly, and that the boards will receive
little praise and some blame. "Your
only reward" he says, .mnst be the
knowledge that at great personal sacrifice
you are rendering your country an in
dispensable service in matter OF the
utmost moment
President Wilson to- night issued an ex-
ecuiive order directing government
officials to exercise "the greatest CARE in
issuing exemption affidavits to employees
In the civil executive departments, EN-
phasizing the high national importance
OF carrying out ''the spirit of the se-
lective service act and OF securing its
fullest effectiveness by holding to military
service all drafted men " ho are not abso-
iutely Indispensable to department work"
He says discharges should be reduced to
minimum number consistent with the
maintenance OF vital national interests
during the emergency OF war"
NO CLASS EXEMPTIONS.
No general class OF workmen will be ex-
empted, Provost Marshal General Crowder
told the coal production committee, which
sought information whether miners would
be left at their work. Appeals to the pro-
vost marshal's Office from employers on
behalf OF their workmen can accomplish
nothing. it was explained, as regulations
promulgated by President Wilson govern
all exemptions.
ss'Tne question OF whether a man Is
more useful to his country in a peaceful
pursuit than in military service is a mat
ter 10 be taken up with the district
board said an announcement. land for
that board 10 determine in the light OF
the circumstances surrounding each in
dividusi case.n
"Before a man has standing before the
district board he must icst be certified to
1t by the local or lower board as physically
qualified for service, and must have had
any discharge claim made before the lower
board decided adversely TO him.
ale has Ave days after he il certified to
the upper board, in which to file claim for
discharge and five days more in which to
file proof. All claims for exemption or
discharge, except claims for discharge on
industrial or agricultural grounds, are de-
cided originally by the local or lower
board"
Most OF the individual queries TO the
provost marshal's office come from men
who are absent from their place OF regis
tration and who have been summoned for
duCn q iuaA ohodAd apply
in writing to the local board in the dis
trict where he is registered and request an
order directing him TO appear fof physical
examination, and possibly exemption or
discharge claim before the board OF the
district in which be is now living.
PENALTIES.
The penalty for making false affidavit
to obtain exemption from draft is severe.
The government calls attention to the
following:
Any person who shall make or be party
to the making Of any false statement or
certificate as to the fitness liability of
himself or any other for service under the
provisions of this act. or regulations made
by the President hereunder. or otherwise
evades aids another to evade the require
ments OF this act or Of said regulations, or
who, in any manner, shall fail or neglect
fully to perform any duty required OF him
in the execution Of this act. shall IL not