The Mena weekly star., 1918-03-21
FARMERS ARE IN
 DEFERRED CLASS
Gov. Brough Given Credit for Rul- ing That Will Allow "Assiduous Workers To Go On With
 Productive Pursuits.

Little Rock, March Largely
 thru the efforts of Gov. Brough, the
 farmers of the country are to be
 given a deferred classification in
 the selectiye draft.
 This was the information receive ed yesterday by the adjutant gener- al from Provost Marshal General Crowder, and that is being trans mitted to the local boards thruout tine state.
 It means much for the mainte- nance of efficiency in farm produc- tion, as there was beginning to be felt the effect of labor shortage all over the state.
 The action of the department fol- lowed the transmission of the fol- lowing telegram from Gov. Brough to Gen. Crowder February 28:
 State Council of Defense very actively encouraging increase in farm productions farmers re- spending in a highly satisfactory manner but best results can not be had nor final arrangements com pleted until tentative date and probable extent of next draft is known, or if it is intention to grant limited furloughs to farmers. Many farmers in Class now disposing of their teams and tools with expecta- ton of being called imemdiately--I others uncertain as to advisability of beginning work on this seasons crop. Word from you will relieve an undesirable state of anxiety and annual crop preparation.91
 The following advices came from Gen. Crowder, which will be of di- rect interest to every community of the state: ,
 A new national and state quota will be announced as soon as con- gross acts on pending legislation governing the apportionment of quotas. In the meantime it will be necessary to call 8. new increment of about 90,000 men toshe .distribut- ed equally throughout' the United States. In several cases this call will run over the current quota of he state, and boards upon which itI s made, but the excess will be credl ted to the new quota Of each state md board affected, as will all other sxcesses due to special calls.
 The situation arising from the scarcity of farm labor demands that Ihe call to colors of men actively, completely and assiduodsly engaged in the planting or cultivation of al crop, but who are in Class 1 and within the new quota, should be deferred until the end of the new quota. Please instruct your local boards, therefore, that the presi- dent directs that, in filling this call, they shall pass the order numbers of such men and de- fer their call for the present. It must be borne in mind that this step is taken solely in the need of the nation, and not for the benefit Df any individual.
 Therefore, while boards should consider it grave duty to exercise this power to conserve and augment the agricultural production, they should observe closely the conduct of those deferred and immediately upon becoming convinced that any person so deferred IS not giving his entire time and earnest attention to duty, or that he is tritling with the deferment granted him, the board should forthwith call him to the colors. All citizens shold assist in making this exped- tent effective and in bringing to the attention of the boards cases merit ing deferment as we'll as cases in Ey..... !