Evening journal., 1918-06-27
Want BARS CLOSED
WHEN DRAFTEES CO
Exemption Boards Take
Steps TO Prevent Dis
graceful Scenes
ASK GOVERNOR AND
MAYOR TO APPEAL

MAYOR TO APPEAL
In making preparations Tor the next
contingent OF drsfiees 10 leave VII
mlngton, Chairman Daniel J. Farren. OF
local Exemption Board No. 2. said TO
day that both Governor Townsend and
Mayor Lawson will be requested to
have the saloons IN Wilmington closed
when the draftees leave. THE hotel
men Will be asked TO close their bars
FOR few hours only on the day that
the men leave" said Mr.. Farren. THE
desire OF the four boards OF this city Is
10 avoid a repetition OF the unpleasant
event which occurred last May p,
when one or more OF the drafted men
got into an alteration at the Pennsyl-
yania station one OF the men In line
last Monday staggered and reeled all the
way along the line OF march. The
scene was disgraceful and caused much
unfJyorable comment among citizens
and bystanders. AZ the station Monday
several OF the men had to be carried on
the train, so helpless were they from
the influence Of liquor
In going back TO last August 81. when
Mr.. Farren sent letter 10 Mayor Law
son, asking that the saloons OF the
city be closed on the days that draftees
were 10 leave. Mr.. Farren said today !:
ION August 81, 1917 ! sent a letter 10
Mayor Lawson, OF which the following
Is a copy:
Hon. John w. Lawson,
Mayor Of the City OF Wilmington.
Dear sir: In compliance with a re-
quest OF the Provost Marshal-Gen-
eraI Crowder. that we make an en-
deavor TO have all saloons closed from
s A. NJ. until "A A. NJ. on September
5. 1917, the day that the first coniin-
gent OF drafted men leave this city for
Camp Dix, Wrightst0wn, \. j., we
would appreciate your cooperation in
this matter.
Trusting that you will give this mat
ter prompt attention, and inform US OF
your action, so that we may notify the
Provost Marshal-General whether or
not the saloons will be closed.
yours respectfully,
DANIEL j. FARREN.
Chairman Local Board for Division
No. 2"
Mr.. Farren said that he received the
/ following reply from Mayor Lawson
"Mr. Daniel ]. Farren,
Wilmington, Del.
Dear Sir: Referring to your letter
/ Of even date. relative 10 the closing OF
the saloons in this city, on September
3, when the drafted men leave the city
VIII you please advise promptly ius
how many men there will be. whether
they will go 10 the station in a body oi
be conveyed there, and also 10 what sta
tlon they VIII be sent, and oblige.
s"Very truly yours.
JOHN W. LAWSON, Mayor"
in reply TO this letter. said Mr.. Far
ren. 'the following communication
from Board No. was sent TO th'
Mayor under date Of September 4:
"In reply to your letter Of August 81
/ I beg 10 advise there Will be approx
mately fOriy-flve men leaving This city
/ in the first quota Of the draft on Sep
/ tember 3, 1917.
"These men will not be in uniform
and the chances are that they will slip
out OF line and go into the saloons at
their first chance.
"They Will leave the p, B. and w.
Railroad station at the foot Of French
street at 1920 a. m and march TO the
station.
I'VE are responsible for the safe con-
duct OF each one OF these men from the
time they leave our headquarters until
arrival at the mobilization camp. In
case we should lose track OF one OF
these men Il will be necessary 10 send
the next man on our list as an alter
nate, so you will realize our response
blllty in this matter.
Trusting that you may see your way
clear 90 have the saloons closed until
after these men leave the city, ! remain,
Yours very truly,
DANIEL J. FARRBN."
Mr.. Farren said he received the fol-
lowing reply from the mayor, under
date OF September Z:
Referring 90 your letter Of Scptem-
ber 4. relative TO closing the saloons
In This city when the FIRST draft OF
forty-nye men leave for the mobillza-
ton camp on September D, | do not
think it Is necessary TO take such dras-
tic action under existing conditions, as
I feel that the men will realize the re-
sponsiblllty and obligation placed upon
them"
Mr.. FarTen said it is not the inton-
tion Of the board 10 antagonlze saloon
keepers, but Il II for their protection
that the local boards want the places
closed when drafted men are leaving
Il is a serious oifense to sell IL
quor TO a drafted man after he has re-
ported TO the board on the day previous
TO goine away. Ilc is then inducied
into the United states service and it Is