The Wrangell sentinel., 1919-01-30
HOW SOLDIERS
 GET RELEASE
Major General Leith Tells How Soldiers Should Pro-
 ceed to Leave Army

The following will be of interest to people vho have friends or rela- tives h ,"e army whom they are anXioua to have home for pressing business or other reasons:
 | An order by Major General J. D. fLeith, commanding officer of Camp Lewis, placed with the United States Employment Service in the Estate of Washington, headquarters ien Seattle, definitely clears up the matter of obtaining the discharge ot soldiers from the cantonment previous to their being regularly mustered out with their military Organization. This order states that no soldier will be reieaced un less he personally applies to the commander of the camp, stating the need for his release because of sickness or distress in his family, or that his ser. ices are urgently needed in an industry or occupa- tion.
 Firms and dependents of soldiers applying to the United States Elm ployment Service tor the release of men, or to the commanding officer of the camp will not be given any consideration. However, if they desire to supply atfidavits these should be sent to the soldier, to be attached to his application for dis charge.
 The order by Major General ] Lelth was received in response to a request from Lawrence Wood, federal director of the United States Employment Servlce tor the state of Washington. who has received numerous applications from de- pendents and employers of Soldiers throughout the state. The order makes it clear that the discharge Sof the men will be governed by the Imerits of each individual applica- ton, and in instances where such discharge would disrupt an exist ing demobilizaticn organization, such applications will not be con- sidered.
 The order received from Major General Leith is as follows:
 I. The orders of the War De- partment in regard to the discharge of soldiers at times other than when their organizations are disbanded are as follows:
 -discharge enlisted men upon their own application when there is sickness or other distress in the soldiers family, or when he is needed to resume employment in an industry or occupation in which there is urgent need of his services, provided that such discharge will not disrupt nor cripple an existing org anization, and that the the sol dler's services can be spared. Con- sideration will be given to the fact that the machinery of camps must be utilized in the demobiliZation of the Army and due regard must be taken that it IS not retarded by the discharge of personnel connected herewith"
 2. Pursuant thereto, the proced- ure IS for the soldier to make appli- cation to the commanding general, Camp Lewis, Wash., for discharge. This application is passed on by intermediate commanding officers and finally by an officer represent ing the commanding general.
 3. It will not be noted that the question of whether or not a sol. dier is to be discharged is within the discretion of the commanding general. It is useless for parties 10 write to the commanding gener- al requesting discharge of soldiers. If they desire 10 furnish affidavlts or letters in regard to the status of a soldier, such documents should be sent direct to the soldier to be attached by the soldier to his ap- plication for discharge. It is only in this way that such documents serve any useful purpose.