The Washington times., 1918-10-18
PRESIDENT GUARDS
INDUSTRY IN DRAFT

President Wilson was very much
concerned about the attack" the inclu
sion OF the older age limits in the
new 1S-to-45 draft might make III
the economic life of the country"
So much so that he himself "hs>
dictated very largely the course to be
pursued" in framing the regulations
governing deferred classification Of
those engaged in essential Occupa
tions.
This was revealed by Provost Mar
sha General Crowder in mis- testi-
rn~rv before the House Appropria
tions Committee, which was made
public today.
The generals testimony was given
when the committee was considering
the $685.. I55, ,666.04 deficiency appro-
priation bill which the House is ex-
pected to pass this afternoon. One
item in the measure provides S2o,OOO.-
600 for the expenses OF the new
draft.
Expert Advisers.
President Wilson has also per-
sonally approved a plan to station in
the area of each district draft board
| three exper tadvisers to determine the
exemption, or deferred classification,
of those engaged in various civil ac-
| tiyities that are essential to be main
| tanned in the national interest dur
| ing the war" General Crowder in
! formed Congressman Swagar Sherley
| of Kentucky, chairman of the com
mittee. -.
/ One of these expert advisers is to
be designated by the Department of
Labor, another by the Department Of
Agriculture. and the third by the
/ Tf-4-iot rd ffsalF
'sThey are to receive from the Gov
erhment," General Crowder explained.
"all the special studies that have been
made respecting the shortage Of man
poWer-not military man-power. but
Industrial and economic man-pOwer-
and from time to time confer with
the district draft board.
To study Difficulties.
They may study the difficulties OF
any particular line of employment and
( 20 before the district board with
| their conclusions as to what line OF
/ administration will meet the situation.
The district board. advised in this
way, Is expected to conserve in a more
effective way than heretofore the eco
nomic life of the country"
It was in response to a query by
Congressman John ]. Eagan of New
! Jersey, a member of the committee,
as to what provision is to be made,
! II any, to give deferred classification
to men who are Indispensable in
banks, or other financial institutions,
that General Crowder revealed the
Presidents deep concern regarding
1.-THE conservation of that important
part of the nations man-power which
| is SO essential to its industrial, busi-
ness or economic life
General Crowder recalled that "in
order to pave the way for exemp-
tions of that kind" Congress had
been asked by him to amend the
draft law by substituting the words,
occupations and employments," for
the words. Industries, including
agriculture" which involved defer
red classifications under theo first
draft.
Broadens Application.
Congress, however, adopted this
form, Industries, occupations, and
employments, including agriculture,
General Crowder pointed out, thus
broadening the application of ths
draft law.
That would reach banking" he
concluded, "and 1t would reach various
other civil activities that are essen
tial to be maintained in the national
interest during the war. With that
enlarged statutory authority. we have
proceeded to frame regulations which
will make 1t the duty of all our draft
boards to consider and pass upon ap-
plications for deferment on the
grounds OF these other occupations
and employments."