The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1918-09-19
PROVISION FOR
EXEMPTION OF
farm WORKERS
War Department Makes Spe-
cial Arrangement in Order
to Keep Up Production.

WASHINGTON, d. c.. Sept. 10
Under the rules of the war department
for executing the new draft law, spe-
cial provision is made for informing
the district boards In regard to farm
labor requirements in order that neces-
sary food production may be main
tanned. says a statement issued by the
department Of agriculture. The state
ment continues:
In the new draft the district boards
are charged with the duty OF putting
into deferred classes those persons
who are more likely to further the
war by remaining in civilian occupa-
lions than by entering the army. Ac-
cordingly, three advisers are to be Sc
lected for each district board-one for
agriculture, one for labor, and one for
other occupations. The agricultural
adviser will be appointed by the board
upon the recommendation OF the Sec
rotary of agriculture. The advisers
are not members OF the board but may,
when invited, attend its meetings.
The duties of the agricultural advis.
er will be to furnish to the board facts
relative to farm labor requirements,
not only OF his own district, but OF the
whole country. He should be the re-
pository Of all facts having relation to
the deferment OF agricultural workers,
whether these be necessary farm Ia
borers, managers or operators. He
will be expected to advise the district
boards as to a shortage or surplus OF
necessary farm workers for any given
district, as we'll as for the entire ma
ton. Such Information will be sup
piled to the advisers by the depart
will II
It possible to have necessary workers
transferred from districts In which
they may not be necessary to other
districts in which they are sorely need
ed.
Duties Of Advisor.
The adviser may also concern him
self with individual cases that come
before the district board. He will
have the right. under certain condi-
tions, to examine the ques:ionnaires
and other records in the files Of the
local board for the purpose Of ascer-
tanning whether persons entitled to
deferred classification have actually
claimed It, In case he finds the names
of such registraats he may file for
them a claim for deferred classified
ton with the district board, which, in
turn. may require the local board to
certify the QUESTIONABLE and record
of any such registrants for considera-
ton Reasonable time will be given
for the purpose of obtaining inforna-
ton and supplying the affidavits re-
quired.
If local board determines to con-
slider a case for deferred classification
because registrant Is engaged in a
necessary occupation, Notwithstanding
10 claim for deferred classification on
that ground has been made, 1t snail
endorse the recommendation on the
QUESTIONABLE of the registrant and
forward 1t to the district board hav-
ing Jurisdiction. The district board
will thereupon consider the case and
proceed to classify the registrant, not
withstanding the fact that no claim
for deferred classification by or In
respect Of the registrant has been
made.
A further duty with which the ad
wiser Is charged is to confer with EN-
ployers Of necessary farm workers
and to instruct them as to their right
under the regulations to file claim
for deferred classification in respect
OF any registrant who has failed or re
fused to file a claim for deferred elias
sfication in his own behalf. This, il
the opinion Of the war department, /:
a very important matter. The appa r
ent injustice of placing many regis
trants in Class 1 is often due to the
fact that employers have failed tt
make claims for deferred classified
ton on behalf of necessary workers
1t is to avoid repetition Of thi
trouble that farmers should see tina
all Of their necessary employees
whether sons or other laborers, of tn
draft age, have made for them jus
claims for deferred classification.
Skilled Farm Labor.
One important explanation is mad
in the new selective service regula
tons in connection with the expires
sion Skilled farm laborer." The ques
tionnaire provides deferred classif