New-York tribune., 1920-09-20
Governors Letter i'm Rec.
ord to Aid Two Sons
of Edward w. Scripps,
! millionaire Publisher.
Local Board Order
Upset by Crowder
Plea Declared Y Young Men
We're Essential to Eff
cheney of Newspapers

that Governor james M. SoA' oA oh'o'
naysd an important part in obtaining
Exemption from military service for
Ismes G. Scripps, son of Edward w.
seripps, publisher of the Cleveland
p,ass. Toledo News-Bee and other
newspapers.
The case of James G. Scripps, as
we'll as that of Robert P. Seripps, q
Younger brother, attracted nation.
wide attention during the war, but the
secrecy surrounding such matters at
that time prevented the public from
learning what influences were brought
to bear to keep the two sons Of the
multi-millonaire publisher, who now
lives in California, out Of army service.
In the draft record Of the Scripps
case is a letter written by Governor
Cox, dated July ii, 1917, and addressed
to Earl E. Martin, Of Cleveland, edi-
torial director of the Scrlpps papers, in
which Cox declares that tine withdrawal
Of James G. Scripps from active con-
pection with the Scripps papers would
asreatly impair" their efficiency.
This letter was sent on November 80,
1917, to J. J. Borree, adjutant general
% California. in the effort of the
Scripps attorneys to induce the draft
board Of San Diego County to certify
an appeal to the President after it had
twice rejected young Scripps's claim
for exemption on industrial grounds.
Case Reviewed by President
Borree's activity in behalf Of Scripps
resulted finally in the draft board
sending the case to Washington for re-
vies by the President.
1t is recalled Edward W. Scripps and
several men influential in his orgapi-
Asion came to Washington, called on
Secretary Of War Baker and brought
pressure to bear with view to secur-
ing reversal of the local and district
daft boards in the cases Of both the
gSesipps sons. q
All draft cases appealed -tcsShe Presi-
dent were reviewed and decided by
Provost Marshal General Enoch II.
ciowder under direction Of Secretary
Baker.
On May 10, 1918, the records show,
the action of the local and district
daft boards in California was set
aside and James G. Scripps released
from all obligation Of military service.
Robert P. Scripps was similarly re-
leased on appeal to the President after
his local in Butler County, Ohio. and
the Ohio District Board had ordered
him into uniform at Camp Sherman.
1t is regarded P. significant circum-
stance that the Ohio Governor, who
performed this service for the pub
lisher of the Scripps papers, should
now have their unanimous support FOR
President.
Once Denied by Cox
In October, 1918, when the two
Seripps cases were attracting atten-
ton, reports were published in Ohio
that Governor Cox had been infuen-
.ial in aiding in keeping at least one
Of the sons out of the army. Cox was
then q candidate for reelection. On
October 80 he issued a formal denial.
In the October 81 issue of The Cleve-
land Plain Dealer, Democratic news
paper supporting Cox. he was quoted
az saying:
I never spoke or wrote word to
the President, the Secretary of War
or to any draft board asking the ex-
caption Of Mr.. Scripps, sny one in
bis organization or any one else. The
Governor Of state has not the slight
eat authority to exempt any man or
to prevent his exemption"
The letter in the War Department
hiss reveals this denial as an adroit
evasion. So far as the record indi-
Gates, Cox did not speak nor write to
the President, the Secretary Of War
nor any draft board. 1t shows, how
ever, that he did write q strong
snd persuasive argument for young
Senppss exemption, which Earl E.
Martin, editor-in-chief of the Scripps
pspsrs, used to good effect with Adju-
ant General Borree in California and
secretary Baker in Washington.
Plea Rejected by Board
In refusing to order the exemption
" James G. Scripps, on the ground that
ss services were necessary to the
sss,pps papers, the United Press AS
.seaatlon, the Newspaper Enterprise
association and other organizations
ssontrollsd by Z. W. Scripps, the draft
soafd Of San Diego County, where
yosng Scripps lived with his father
s~shs on record by q vote OF four meus'
0eas TO one as follows:
we believe it would be unfair 10
yvung men who are making sacrifices
UT .I the defense OF their country il
sa sons Of a very wealthy fashes
s gwen deferred classification, when
. - Clearly possible that one Of them
.saia 90 without affecting the support
tnsir families or impaising thei7
sainily fortunes"
sslag on this suggestion, Milton A.
;sASa' Of Detroit, large stockholdes
ss.sas sas serpps concerns, telegraphed
ssm Gan Diego to Adjutant General
'ssrss as follows:
AZ regard 10 Robert, we find among
~ VINO have been associated with
sss "a the Scripps enterprises a con.
sus OF opinion that he is not i'm.
ssssaveiy needed. and in q time like
il .aSt n'Sat well be spared for the pub.
49, sery'ce. Therefore, IL one or che
asss,I 49, Imuss 30, 1t would appear thaan Il
iSs.a ins,s.a be Robert, but ii IL should b.
III fi.sd &. that he be retained, then WI
saat Jsnaes ought 70 CO."
st,nsn tn was obviously intended as q
Jssse argument tor the exemption o,
JsA ~ IL turned out, not oni,
srS vas exempted, but Robert also
e.S,, Eeitnes Of tbs multi miliionair.
Ssoiishst's seas donned . uniforn.
Text Of Goveaaor's Letter
AZ. ans letter Of Governor Cox as IL an
-" IN tss efsieisi records folIows:
sMy ss... ~us Juiy IL, 1917.
sassas maRtf1 q sgTvey of every axene,
thsg the skaxa vyhieh esn hn ..s?itms ~.