Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-08-01
STOP EXEMPTION
OF FLEET WORKERS
[Continued from First Page.l

CONTINUED from First Page.1
employed, liable for immediate mil
itary service.
The new regulations of the corpo-
ration will provide for the freeing
of all plants engaged in performing
this kind of work, of all persons sus-
pected OF being draft dodgers. Every
effort will be made to reduce to
minimum the number of employees of
draft age in it's service.
To Get Questionnaires
AS the first step to achieve this ef-
feet, a QUESTIONABLE of very search
ing character. will be furnished to
each employe of draft age, engaged
in performing work for the corpora
ton. No matter whether the Harris
burger is engaged in making shells,
in turning out steel girders, or in
doing similar work, he will receive
one of these missionaries, no mat
ter whether he has received defer
red classification or not, he will be
required to fill out one of them, pro-
vided he is engaged in work con-
tracted for by the fleet managers.
The QUESTIONABLE of the corpora
ton will require the man to give
complete history of his military
eligibility and existing draft status.
His physical qualifications must be
fully set forth. He must tell whether
deferred classification was granted to
him through the request of his SUI
perior corporation official or whether
he took steps to secure it on his own
initiative. Full details are required.
Under the order, issued by Howard
Coonley, vice-president of the cor
poration, every man must fill in, sign
and forward to him personally, the
completed questionnaire on or before
August 1. Upon their receipt, these
missionaries are to be referred to
the heads of the department under
whose supervision the man comes.
The department head will be re-
quired to examine Immediately and
with thoroughness, each of the ques-
tionnaires and to report at his very
earliest convenience to Mr.. Cooney
whether or not the individual can be
released for immediate military serv-
ice without retarding ship produc-
tion. Deferred classification will be
approved only where the employees
service is more essential in the pro-
duction of ships than 1t would be for
military service. The fleet corpora
ton will in no way aid a draftee to
obtain deferred classification. 1t in
tends to view the matter wholly
from the viewpoint of the nations S
welfare.
The Statement
Mr.. Cooney, in issuing the order
made this statement:
The officers of the United States
Shipping Board Emergency Fleet
Corporation feel that they should ask
for exemption for those individuals
only who have special experience
and ability which makes them essen
tial to the successful carrying out of
the shipbuilding program.
In such cases, the officials take
the position it is the duty of the in
dividual to subordinate a natural de-
sire for active service at the front,
to the greater service which he can
render in the shipbuilding program.
1T is, therefore, his patriotic duty
to be governed by our judgment in
the matter. In cases other than these,
IT is felt that the greatest national
good can be rendered by entering the
military service"
The time has come when the
country needs every available man.
This corporation must make its sac
rifices just as other industries are do
ing in subordinating all interests to
the national welfare.
Do we need the individual enough
to ask him to give phis privilege
and high duty of military service for
the production of ships, is the sole
question to govern exemption in the
future.
The initiative in this matter of
| exemption must come from us and
not from the man himself. Should
the individual ask for his exemption,
! it will be refused without further
ado, and, Furthermore, we will i'm
| mediately discharge him.
'The onlv kind of q man u,a MO n I
is the kind who wants to go but who
is willing to subordinate his personal
desire for army service to advance
the national good"
The QUESTIONABLE to be filled out
contains a series of searching ques-
tions intended to reveal the present
| status of the draftee, his physical
qualifications, whether his superior
| fleet corporation official has request
ed his exemption or whether the in
dividual or any one in his behalf has
sought exemption on any grounds
whatever.