The sun., 1917-07-29
DRAFT BOARDS
WARNED TO- BE
RIGTDIN WORK
Nation Needs Men at Once,
Says CrOwder, Urging
Exemption Strictness.
ALL PLEAS IN WRITING
Tumulty Only White House
Staff Member Exempted
and He's Over Age.

OF the task which faces members of
local draft exemption boards is called
TO their attention in solemn language
In communication sent broadcast by
the War Department and made public
tonight by Provost Marshal General
Crowder.
The selected man offers his life"
says Gen. CrPwder 1T will strengthen
you to remember that for every exemp-
tion or discharge that is made for in
dividual convenience. or to escape per-
soral 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 per-
sons in controversy. "You acting for
tho Government" says the communica-
ton. ARE to investigate each case In
the interests Of the nation, and never In
the interests OF an Individual"
Gen. Crowder closes with the declara-
tion that the nation needs men quickly
and the boards will receive little praise
and some blame Your only reward"
he says! must be the knowledge that
at great personal sacrifice you are rem
dering your country an indispensable ser
vice in matter of the utmost moment"
Government Clerks Not Exempt.
Few employees OF the civil branches
of the Government will be exempt from
the draft according to an official rul-
ing published to-day by Provost Mar
shall General Crowder.
At the White House Secretary Tum-
ulty Is the only employee named as ex-
empt. He was over the registration age
anyway, but all other employees of mill
tary age are liable for service. The line
has been drawn as closely in all other
departments In all the executive de-
partments none but the executive heads
are exempted by the ruling Clerks, ste
nographers and many others who ex-
pected to be exempt because Of their
Government service will be disappointed.
Gen. Crowder's communication, mailed
TO all boards. reads In part as follows:
you are entering on a difficult task
the gravity OF which is beyond anything
that can be said In the way Of discus
sion. You realize the significance OF
what you are to do and you know that
a responsibility heavier perhaps than
any you have ever faced Is upon you.
war demands individual sacrifice to
the common cause. No people ever ap-
preached war with calmer apprecia-
ton OF that sacrifice or a frmer resolve
to bear IL and TO present themselves to
be classified for service in the place to
which II shall best serve the common
good to call them
This calm determination could not
exist were 1t not for the confidence of
the nation in It's institutions In this
public confidence Is found the very spirit
of the selective service law. The most
sacred rights OF country, home and fam
lily are entrusted for adjudication to
local citizens and officials nominated by
State Governors and appointed by the
President
Every One Must sacrince.
From every one is demanded a sacri-
fee. But there is one thought to be
keep always IN your mind. The selected
man offers his life. There is no greater
giving than this: and that thought
should guide you always,
There may be few who will urge
upon you claims for exemption or dis
charge that. whatever may be your in
slinations OF sympathy or affection, you
viii know ought not to be granted.
! There can be no room for hesitation In
| such a case.
Another fundamental thought is this:
You are not a court for the adjust
ment OF differences between two persons
| In controversy. You are agents of the
! Government. engaged in selecting men
I for the Government. and there is no con-
/ troversy. You. acting for the Govern
/ r,ent. are to investigate each case In the
| interests OF the nation and never In the
interests OF an Individual.
! There Is not one exemption or dis
charge in the law or regulations that is
/ put there for the benefit OF any indi-
vidual. All are there for the benefit OF
the nation. and 20 the end that the whole
nation may be team in which each
man shall play the part for which he is
| best fitted
| by himself or by attorney. to urge, by
argument or pleading, his Individual case
upon you.
You should rlgidly exclude this,
Ordinarily you should act on the am
davits. If you desire more in
formation you may proceed to get
II. II you doubt the affidavits YOU
may interrogate other persons. II you
desire more proof you may get It. But
no claimant has a right to submit other
proof than that called for by regulations
or than that you may call for
No Court Procedure.
There should be no rules like those
OF court procedure, no technical rules of
evidence. You should proceed to inves-
tigate cases about which you are not
satisfied exactly. as you. as an individ-
ual, would proceed 10 inform yourself
OF any fact about which you are in
doubt
"The nation needs men and needs
them quickly The hours will then be
long and the work absorbing. The duty
I N.l..