Evening journal., 1918-08-10
HUSBANDS TO GO
ON EXEMPT LIST
Baker Plans Draft Rule to
Prevent Wholesale Dis
ruption of Families
BOARD DECISIONS
LACK UNIFORMITY

WASHINGTON. Aug. iO-Marriage 4
- be automatically cause for deferre,
classification in the draft. This is In
dlcated by Secretary Baker who say
he has had the matter under consider
alton and that II would be decided
when the new regulations are given out
New regulations are in course o.
preparation, Mr.. Baker said, to govern
classifying the millions who will reg
ister when the so-cslled man power
bill extending the age limits to is anC
a. inclusive becomes law. Important
changes affecting the majority Of fami-
lies 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 wheth-
er or not he claims deferred classified
ton. There has been general Opin-
ion that both these phases Of the pres
ent draft law should be reconsidered by
the War department, and the reason
for change Is all the more apparent
when u comes 10 extending the age lin
II up 10 40 inclusive.
Under present regulations marriage
does not necessarily constitute a cause
for deferred classification. The question
on which 10 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 10 be called to
the Colors? This, IL Is explained, has
been the question to decide and the
boards have mad the authority to de-
eide It.
In one locality where there Is doubt
as TO whether a real question OF de-
tendency Is involved the head OF
family Is put in a deferred class by the
board. In another locality he is put in
Al c'ass, subject 10 call under the
came conditions which apply 10 the
nan With no family and no responsible
tiles. in the great majority Of cases
the boards ruling Is probably fair, but
the registrant never knows until he
mas 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 2i TO 81 this
question OF dependency concerning
married men was easily decided in the
majority Of cases, because Il is rare
that a man has sufficient financial
means to insure his family against want
regardless Of his future labor. But in
extending the age limit to 50 a different
condition Is found TO exist. There are
many men between 20 and 10 who by
their dillgent saving and their life Of
hard work have laid aside enough TO
guarantee support for their families re-
gardless OF what happens TO themselves.
Secretary Baker realizes that thousands
OF heads OF families are in this posi-
tlon.
The question at once arises as TO what
they are TO do when called on to an
swer the question OF whether they
claim deferred classification on the
ground OF dependency. These heads Of
families throughout the land cannot
claim that their families are really de-
pendent upon their labor FOR support.
Under the present regulations each and
every one OF these men might be put I'm
the Al class by the board and sent into
the service under precisely the same
conditions that would apply TO men
with no dependents and with no re-
spOnsibillties.
As Secretary Baker indicated he does
not propose 10 have a wholesale break |
ing up Of family life II it can be
avoided. He is Of the opinion that /
enough man power can be marshalled /
without going to this extreme.
Likewise. Mr.. Baker does not appear |
10 favor the idea Of these heads OF /
families being called on to say
whether or not they claim exemption |
or deferred classification on the |
ground OF dependency. He believes that
Thousands OF patriotic heads OF families /
would refuse TO claim deferred classifl- /
cation In these circumstances and that |
8n unnecessary disturbance Of family /
Ife would result.
What appears like a probable solu-
tiOn-thls Is merely speculation-is that
the War Department will make the mar
ill state automatically a cause for de-
ferIed classification except in specific
gnd we'll defined cases, such as those
involved when the husband does not
contribute TO the support OF his fam
ily, when the husbands daily labor or
future labor can be dispensed with by
the family and government alike, or
when marriage Is contracted for the
obvious purpose Of avoiding service.
There have been and Will be cases
where the married man can better bd
spared by his family and by the gov
than the average single man,
and it is necessary to hold a club over
these cases. That is why Gen. Crowder
was against making the marital State
as such a cause for deferred classifca-
iion In the present regulations. But
these men, it is pointed out, can be
reached just as well under new regula-
lions which will make deferred classi-
ncsllons for married men the general
rule, and asset rule which will work
except in unusual cases