The Dermott news., 1918-06-13
TOO MANY SOUGHT
TO EVADE SERVICE
APPEALS FROM THE LOCAL AND
DISTRICT DRAFT BOARDS
NUMBERED $4,000.
wedding OUT THE SLACKERS
Good Work In Washington by the
Provost Marshal Generals OFFICE
Hope for Improvement in Delivery
Of Mail to Soldiers Abroad.
Bv ARTHUR w. DUNN.

BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
\ Observation-Disclosures thousand
appeals were made by men who sought
exemption from the draft and had been
refused by the local and district
boards. Out of approximately 1000
900 men In class this may not seem so
large n number. At the same time
the desire of $4,000 young men to es-
cape military service was rather dis
couraging to the war officials. particu-
larry since upon examination many
Of the claims for exemption appeared
TO be frivolous or equivocal.
Army officers administering the law
and dealing with applications for ex-
emption, especially when they were
backed by senators and representa-
tives In congress. found considerable
difficulty In adjusting the various sit
uations In view of the fact that here
In Washington many thousands OF
clerks claimed exemption as employ
ees of the government, while large
number of other young men within the
draft age We're seeking and securing
commissions in the various noncom-
blatant staff corps and were very nu-
merous In their uniforms on the streets
of Washington and in the departments.
There has been decided change on
this score within the last few weeks.
The provost marshal generals office
nus been reaching into the depart
ments and lifting out the clerks who
were within the draft age and liable
to service. Every department has
been called upon to furnish the num-
Der and names OF all men within the
draft age. Another reform has been
started by the secretary OF war. which
Is the wedding out of staff officers in
Washington who have been filling cler-
ical positions. OF course this cannot
be accomplished In its entirety. but II
has been remarked during the past
few weeks that many officers in uni
form, with suitcases In their hands.
have been seen vending their way TO
the Union station on the route TO
Somewhere" with the possibility Of
doing real military duty.
Many people In the United States
hope that n recent announcement from
the post office department will result
Ia better mail service between the
United States and the soldiers In
which complaints have been aired Of
ncially as well ms unoflicially about
the inadequate mail service. there has
been n contention on the part of the
post office department. that the delays
were due largely to the manner in
which the war department was han
ding the mail. Even In his latest state
ment the postmaster general said the
military authorities In France would
not disclose To the postal officials the
location or movement of troops In Eu-
rope. and consequently there has been
great deal OF delay. BY the new
arrangement. however IL is expected
the war department Will take charge
OF the distribution of mail sent abroad
and In that way letters and other mat.
ter TO the soldiers will be very much
expedited.
Political expediency and personal
comfort figured largely In the pros
and cons as To whether an ad-
ditionai revenue measure should be
considered before the present session
OF congress adjourns. As to the poll
tics of II. the Democratic leaders ar
gued that to pass revenue bill now
would mean defeat of the Democratic
party In the congressional elections.
for the reason that everybody would
be agitated over the proposed new
taxes. There We're very few-dnd
very sagacious politicians. too-who
asserted II would be better To have the
revenue bin out OF the way and I'M
derstood. rather than To have the I'M
known hanging over the whole people
President Wilson has never been
much impressed with the political ef-
feet OF legislation which he considers
necessary. Four years ago the con-
dition Of the revenues made IL neces-
sary to pass another revenue bill. IL
was the first bill to be called IA war
revenue measure. and was given that
name because the war In Europe was
alleged To have been the main cause
Of the falling or OF treasury receipts.
Politicians In congress argued against
passing any such bill before the cleo
tons. but President Wilson insisted
that II was necessary and therefore
the people would not be dissatisfied;
and II may also be recalled that the
Democrats won the elections In 1914.
The personal reasons for avoiding
revenue legislation are greater than
the political reasons. Members Of
rongress do not want to stay In Wash
sneton any longer thGn they are
obliged 10. Their salaries and the sal
aries of their employees so along just
the same whether congress Is In SEES
sion or not. and II In natural that they
should prefer to be at home. mingling
9th THAR naoula OSnaeially those