The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1917-12-05
LEX 70 BAR
INLET PROOF
OFFICER JOBS
tiow War Ruling Hits "SIack-
ersn at Desks in Capital,

WARRINGTON, ID. c. so-cahod
ssIsehsr commissions' by which men
Of daft ase seek to escape service IN
The ranks and get officers places In
non-con,batant branches OF the army
have struck q snag in two general pol
icies laid down by Secretary of war
Baker That there 10 a large number
of such slackers, protected by polln-
cal influence, 10 a charge which IS be-
coming more and more persistent.
Mr.. Baker, alive to the situation
has laid down these two general poll
cies for future guidance OF h" subordi-
mates:
Men Of drai, age shall not be
commissioned for non-combatant ser
vice unless Il shall be clearly estao-
lished .hst they are better fitted tor
sp>oial work than available civilians
beyoed draft age.
Army functions that can be per-
termed efficiently BY civilians shall not
be placed on military footing by com
missionins men needed TO do Ae work
Shielded by Commissions.
The problem Of commissions IN the
various staff departments Of the army
that have TO do with the supply lines,
transportation, construction and hun
dred other non.combstant functions OF
the service Il a difficult one.
There have been numerous cases OF
young men Of draft age who have OBJ
taised commissions and therefore are
EXEMPT from the seleetive service law
under which the fighting troops are
being raobilired.
II Is the desire OF Secretary Baker,
apparently, to keep this element OF the
commissioned personnel Of the army at
4 minimum in justice TO the great body
Of drafted men.
The policy Is founded on the theory
that there arc older men in civil life,
we'll fitted for the special duties re-
ouired, 10 whom such commissions
could be given, leaving the men OF
draft age to the operations OF the law,
Mr.. Bakers ruling applies particular
" to inspection Of materials manu-
featured or produced for the army
Food, clothing, tentase, and thousands
OF other items, it is held, could be in
spected as we'll by civilians as an
officer.
Police to Ala Draft.
Every police official in the countr,
will become q part Of the great ma
chine organized for building the ma
tionaI army, under war department
plans announced today by Provost Mar
shaI General Crowder. Postal authori
ties also will play an active part 10
helpiNe 10 carry out the new regula
lions and the department believes thai
With the aid Of these two agencies loeaI
sx~mptioa boards will be greatly assist.
ed In registering the men and getting
them to the training camps as they ar,
called.
Postoffics TO Give Aid.
All the elaborate machiAery OF tn
postoffiee department will be used t.
- that questionnaires are delivered
10 the men and are returned by then
within the seven days time limit
To-day the following order was ser
to $500 postmasters Of the country:
"Postmasters should exercise ever
effort TO make delivery Of letters at
dressed by local or district exemptio
boards TO registrants under the selet
tive service act and particularly Il
notices which those boards send
'resistrants calling them TO places I
entrainment.
Serious consequences ensue 10
resistrant who fails to respond 10 tn
latter call as the law elassifies hi
as deserter, and unless an explain
ton 10 made he must be dealt with
SUCH II is therefore Of the create
importance thst postmssters see tn
such notices reach the addresses
possible"