Douglas Island news., 1919-01-10
HOW SOLDIERS
 GET RELEASE
Major General Leith Tells How Sol diers Should Proceed to
 Leave Army

The following win be Of interest
 people who have friends or rcla-
 ives in the army who they are anx-
 ous to have home for pressing bus
 ness or other rcasons
 An order by Major General J. D. Lcith. commanding officer of Camp .owis, placed with the United States Employment Service in the state of Washington. headquarters in Scat- uc. definitely clears up the matter Of obtaining the discharge of sol- licrs from che cantonmcnt previous to their being regularly mustered out with their military organization. This order states that no soldior will bo released unless Inc personally up- plies Co Che commander Of the camp, stating Che need for his release as because of sickness or distress in his family or that his services arc m- gently needed In an industry or oc- cupation.
 Firms and dependents Of soldiers applying to Che United States Elm ploymcnt Service for Che release Of men, or to Che commanding officer of tho camp win not be given any consideration. However, if they de- sire Co supply oGidayits these should be sent to Che soldier. to be. attached to his application for dis charge.
 The order by Major General Lcitch was received ln response Co a re- quest from Lawrence Wood federal director Of Che United States Elm ploymcnt Service for thc state of Washington, who has received nu- mcrous applications from dependents and employers of soldiers through out the state. The order makes it. clear that the discharge of thc men will be governed by the merits Of each individual application. and n instances where such a discharge would disrupt am existing dcmobili-. ation organization, such appIica- tions win not be considered
 The order received from Major General Lcitch is as follows.
 Il The orders of Che War De- partmcnt in regard to Che discharge of soldiers ot times other than when their organizations are disuanded arc as follows:
 discharge enlisted men upon their own application when there is sickness or other distress In thc sol- dior's family. or when ho is needed Co resume employment in am indus. try or occupation iu which there is urgent need of hH services. pro yidcd that such discharge win not disrupt nor cripple am existing or and that the soldiers services can be spared. Considcra- ton win Doe given Co the fact that thc machinery of camps must loo utilized in the dcmobililation Of thc Army and due regard must be taken that it is not retarded by Che discharge of personnel connected 
 9. Pursuant thereto. thc proced- uro is for Che soldier Co mako apnli- cation Co the commanding general Camp Lewis, Wash, for discharge This application is passed on by i'm tcrmediatc commanding officers and finally by am officer representing thc commanding general.
 8. It will be noted that the qucs- ton of whether or not soldier is Co be discharged is within the dis crction of the commanding general It is useless for parties Co write Co thc commanding general requesting discharge of soldiers. IT they dc- sire to furnish afndavits or letters in regard to the status of a soldier. such documents should Doc sent direct Go the soldier Co Doc attached by the soldier to his application for dis charge. It is only in this way that such documents serve any useful purpose.