Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-25
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FEDERAL EMPLOYEES
WILL Be EXEMPT
Cabinet Adopts Strict Rule as
to Government Workers
Drafted for Army.
HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS
MUST DECIDE EACH CASE
Notice Is Served on All Cierks-Sec-
retary Redfeld to Tell Men Of
Patriotic Opportunity.

All employees of the government
drafted for the army, and not specifi
cally exempted by the provisions of the
Presidents regulations for the enforce
ment of the selective draft law, who are
found physically fit for military serv
ice. will not be exempted, unless the
head of the particular department in
which they are employed should certify
personally in each individual case that
the employe in question cannot be re
placed by another person without sub
stantial material loss in the adequate
and effective operation of such Office"
Policy Determined by Cabinet.
That policy has been adopted by the
President and his cabinet as result
of full discussion Of the question at
Yesterdays cabinet meeting at the
White House. 1t applies to all depart
ments of the government. Under para
graph D. section 20. of the President
regulations. artifcers and workmen at
arsenals. navy yards and similar es-
tablishments are exempted from the
draft
The order issued today by the Sec
retary of the Navy is as follows:
"All civil employees under the Navy
Department except artifcers and work
men at navy yards, come under para
graph E of section 20 OF the Presi'
dents regulations regarding the Sc
lective draft law. Requests for exemp-
tion of employees OF this character will
be made by the Secretary, and, in re.
questing such exemptions, sufncien'
data must be furnished to enable the
Secretary to determine whether or moi
the adequate and efficient operation OF
the Office in which employed and cannot
be replaced by another person without
substantial material loss in the ade-
ouate and effective operation OF such
Office"
Orders to a similar effect were issued
by all the other executive departments
differing only in phraseology to meet
special requirements
Mr.. Redfeld to Talk to Men.
Secretary Redfield is planning to talk
to the men of the Commerce Depart
ment who have been drawn on the first
draft. with the idea of pointing out
to the men the patriotic opportunity
which has come to them. The chief
clerk Of the department is expected to
forward to tho Secretary today a list
of the employees drawn. go far as they
are aScertainable. Many men regis
tered out Of town. and some do not as
yet know their serial number.
Director Rogers of the census bu-
reau has said that he would have to
think twice before he asked exemp-
tion for any man in his bureau simply
because he was a federal employe
Secretary Redfeld declared today tina,
he would have to think three times.
This reply is believed 10 be indicative
Of the thought of cabinet members on
the question. and 1t is not expected
that many federal employees will be
exempted from the draft on the ground
of being government employees
Undoubtedly, however, there Will be
some few men in the departments who
will have exemption asked for them
on this ground Secretary Redf1eld in
dicated that perhaps there would be
one such man in his department. Rec
concentrations to this effect may be
made by bureau chiefs. but must be
o. KID by the Secretary. who will be
the final court Of appeals In the mat
ter In his department Much the same
procedure viii obtain in the other fed
eral departments