New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-08-19
Conkling Finds
Draft Board l56
Has Clear Record
Director Says There Is No
Ground for Inquiry
by Swami

Deputy Attorney General Roscoe 5.
Conkling, director of the draft for New
York City, announced last night that
he had made unsuccessful efforts to
ascertain from the District Attorney
Office the reason for summoning the
members of Local Exemption Board
1856, with their records, for an inves-
tigation into alleged Irregularities.
Mr.. Conkling expressed explicit con-
fidence in the integrity of the mem
bers of the board, and declared that
the policy of the District Attorneys
Office in holding up the work of any
board for an entire day merely be-
cause of the complaint of "some dis
gruntled fellow" was absolutely against
the interests of the government and
the raising of the new National Army.
Inquiry Hampers Board
81 was amazed to learn that charges
had been MADE against this board"
said Mr.. Conkling. "The adjutant gem
erals Office never had been informed
by the District Attorneys Office that
there were irregularities there, and it
seems absolutely against the interests
of the government to call an entire
board away from its work for an en-
tire day in order to investigate some
charge oF which no notice had ever
been given to this Office.
"The United States attorneys and the
Department of Justice are handling a
great many claims, some of which are
well founded, but most of which are
complaints due to the fact that various
board members have dealt justly and
honestly with, some disgruntled fellow
who wants to let some one else do the
fighting for him.
"The United States authorities act
under the very proper system of max
ing every investigation quietly and &C
curately, and giving publicity only to
those cases which are absolutely
grounded on fact This method of call
ing board members away from their
work for most of the day and question
ing them, and then, without one word
to the adjutant generals Office, giving
out a statement charging that board
with, or intimating charges OF, mlscon-
duct. is absolutely improper.
"The adjutant generals Office and the
United States authorities undoubtedly
want every bit of assistance they can
secure from all sources. including Mr..
Dooling's Office, but speaking for my
self, as representing the adjutant gen.
erals office, / feel that greater care
ought to be exercised in making insin-
uatons against board members.
Defends Board No. 156
az am quite familiar with the work
of Board loo and know each member.
| believe that the board is doing Its
duty honestly and faithfully, and |
make this statement because ! want 1t
known to the members of that and
other boards that the adJutant gen
erals Office IL behind every board IN
the city until it is proved that the
members of that board are not worthy
of the trust reposed in them
Members of the board were back az
their work at the headquarters, at Lex
ington Avenue and 105th Street. and
| Chairman Plavnick issued challenge
! to Mr. Dooling or any one else TO prove
! that there had been any irregularities
there.
'No member of this board has &C
| ccpted so much as a cigar from any
man that came before it," said Alex
ander Plavnick, the chairman. There
was lust one case in which money was
offered, and that was when Russian
alien offered dollar TO one of the
members for helping him MI out an
exemption blank.
az told Mr.. Dooling that We well
coined any kind of an investigation
and simply laughed in his face when he
asked: who is taking the money up
| there?
II was learned that the District Al.
torney's Office is still in possession OF
the records Of four men examined by
Board 90 at 229 East Broadway.
Conscientious Director Held
William Hendel, of 99s Trinity
Avenue, The Bronx, a Socialist and a
conscientious objector who refused 10
appear before Board II for examina-
ton, was arrested by agents of the
/ Department of Justice and held in
$500 bail for further examination by
United States Commissioner Hitch
cock. Hendel is a natural born citi-
zen, twenty-six years old and single.
He wrote q letter 10 the clerk Of the
board stating that he was opposed TO