Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-03-05
THOSE WHO DODGED THE DRAFT

Men who wiIlfully or technically or unin-
tentionally evaded the draft did not obtain
absolution when the war ended" comments
the NEW ORLEANS STATES (Dem.) on
Secretary Bakers order for a roundup of
those who escaped military service against
Germany by violating the selective service act.
"Those whose record is not clear" the
STATES adds, will do well to prepare their
defenses, if they have any"
The war departments figures show that
altogether 325,265 men violated the draft
law, at least in technical sense. But 151,-
354 of these cases have been set aside as
'non-willful," as it is shown that the men
affected had already joined the co1ors volun-
tarly or were otherwise excusable. There re-
mains ia, 911 cases classed as "willful," and
the government proposes to run them down.
1t seems like large number, but as the
BUFFALO EVENING NEWS (Rep.) points
out, considering the great number of young
Americans that were involved in the draft,
the number of willful slackers was compare
lively small Nor will that number stand, p"
the NEWS goes on, 'fOr many youths so list
ed found their way into the service without
knowledge of their draft boards. Inc maj
count may show no more than 10000"
All of the names will be published, and
thus innocent suspects will have chance to
clear themselves. Those who fail to do so
will be apprehended and court-martialed, it
possible. 'The prosecutions will emphasize a
logged quality of the federal government
which mas given WrOnSQO6rS no emu OIL STlSl,
says the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCE
Cnd. Rep, and continues:
During the war the news dispatches con-
tanned reports from draft evaders' colonies in
Mexico from time to time. When the
armistice was signed and it appeared that
there would be no more fighting these exiles
drifted back to the country they would not
defend. They came back from Canada and
from various places of concealment, cheerfully
confident that their troubles were over.
Their error lies in misjudging the govern
mental memory which is aided by the perma-
nent record in Washington"
The PHILADELPHIA PRESS (RepO sees
a danger that merely technical offenses will
be too severely punished:
while it will doubtless be necessary" it
says, "to impose impressive punishment on
draft dodgers whose guilt is incOntestably
proved, it is to be hoped, and it is highly
probable, that those who sit in judgment on
the cases will make all possible allowance
for innocent, if unexcusable, ignorance, as
opposed to malevolent sloth. 1t will also be
one of their Immediate duties to clear of dis
honor the names of those who died between
the dates of registration and induction, and
who were enormously charged with deser-
ton"
1t occurs to the BALTIMORE SUN Und.
Dem.) to wonder eff 100000 men should be
jailed under these proceedings, is there prison
room enough to accommodate them?" and the
DUN suggests that Ill view VI Lu0 1dCL IudC
many conscientious DIRECTORS were released
from prison with bonus and an apology, it
might be wiser to enter a general non pros
against these slackers." But with such pol
icy the HOME SECTOR, published by A. E.
F. men, has no sympathy. "These men
skulked while others were suffering, and JUS
tice and respect for the law demand that they
be made to suffer now"
THE ARMY AIRPLANE SCANDAL"
1.-THE favorite congressional sport is in
curry, and the score is always tie" says
the TERRE HAUTE TRIBUNE Ind), re-
ferring to the house investigation into air.
craft production during the war. 'The ma
jority of the committee finds the administra-
ton guilty of riot of waste. The minor
ity finds the majoritys report to be 'intem-
perate, biased and cituperat:ve, and exag-
geration Of alleged mistakes and misstate-
ments.
But the SUN AND NEW YORK HERALD
Ind.) favors the majority report. ct cost
us S1,O51, 100000 and uncounted lives for
feited unnecessarily to put 243 observation
planes in Europe in nineteen months" says
the SUN, and adds that the report confirms
the worst reports of inefficiency, waste and
failure in our war effort to turn out air.
planes with which to fight the Germans"
"Yet with this humiliation fresh in our
minds" the same authority continues, 1--WE
are plunging into fresh humiliation through
our present treatment of aviation.
Congress has already allowed our navy and