The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-08-10
HUSBANDS TOGO
AUTOMATICALLY
ON EXEMPT LIST
Baker Plans Draft Rule to
Prevent Wholesale Dis
ruption of Families.
SLACKERS NOT TO ESCAPE
Brain Workers Not in "WOrk
or Fight" Class-New Bill
Would Prevent Strikes.
SLACKERS NOT TO ESCAPE

WASHINGTON, Aug. s.-Marriage is to
be automatically cause for deferred
classification in the draft. This was in
dicated to-day by Secretary Baker. who
raid he had the matter under considera-
ton and that 1t would be decided when
the new regulations are given out.
New regulations are in course of prep
aration, Mr. Baker said, to govern clas-
Styling the millions who will register
when the so-called man power bill ex-
tending the age limits to IS and As in
elusive becomes law. Important changes
affecting the majority of families in the
country will be made in the regulations
as they now exist.
Two probable changes will affect the
relationship which marriage automat-
ically bears to deferred classification
and also the present requirement which
calls on the Individual to state whether
or not he claims deferred classification.
There has been a general opinion that
both these phases of the present draft
law should be reconsidered by the war
Department and the reason for change
is all the more apparent when 1t comes
TO extending the age limit up TO IS in
elusive. %. d.
Under present regulations marriage
does not necessarily constitute a cause
for deferred lassifcation. The question
on which it Is decided Is dependency
VIII or will not the families OF the reg
istrants suffer. not in a sentimental but
in a practical. financial way. II the men
are among the first to be called to the
colors? This, II is explained. has been
the question to decide and the boards
have had the authority to decide 1t.
board Decisions Lack Uniformity.
In one locality where there is doubt as
70 whether a real question of dependency
is involved the head of family Is put
in a deferred class by the board. In an
other locality he Is put in Al class. SUD-
ject to call under the same conditions
which apply to the man with no famiiy
and no responsibilities. In the great
majority of cases the boards ruling Is
probably fair, but the registrant never
knows until he has been up before the
board whether or not he is going to be
placed in a deferred class or in Al.
With the age limits 81 to 81 this ques-
ton OF dependency concerning married
men was easily decided in tie majority
Of cases, because II Is rare that a young
man has sufficient financial means TO
;,sure his family against want regard
loss NJ his future labor. But in extend
inc m. age limit I'm to As a different
condition is found to exist. There are
many men between 40 and As who by
,hoir diI,oe,t saving and their life of
hard work have laid aside enough to
.uar,rtea sunnort for their families re-
rard,ees n, what hanpens TO themselves
s.crsta-v p,rar realizes that III tousands
=, boads 80 far,i,ies are in this position.
Tho o,ast,o, a. once arises as to what
,bo,, ara a. 40 ,yh.n ca,,ed nm To answer
,ha o,,as,,or -, ubatber thev claim de.
,.rrad cI.ss,sc.t,on on the ground of de.
nandercw .These heads Of families
,,rouvbopt the land cannot claim that
,,a,r ANTILLES ara really denendent upon
,ha,, ,,hor for sunnort Under the pres.
.,t rsg,,I,,,ons each and every one OF
,bass r,,on nigh, he MT In the Al class
~, ,ha ho.rd and cent into ths service
urd.- rrac,se,,, the Same conditions tina,
,,o,,Id a,,,,,, 20 80, ,,,,h M denendents
80 .,'t .u,,,,.,.
"'u Win ho Responsiveness
VIII Not 8renk In Families.
As Secretary Baker indicated to-day
he does not propose to have a wholesale
breaking I'D of family life II It can bt
avo,ded ua Ia n, the opinion thai
ona,,,h - a \. rnarsr a,,ad
,rt,hen. -. mo-, -, .s,. a~t-sr,s
eN''N =" ~