The Omaha guide., 1941-01-18

4 was under the impression
that I was supposed to receive
from my Board Form AZ upon
which to establish my formal case
of conscientious objection. This l
did not receive, but instead a card
which placed me in IA elassificat-
ion with the instruction that | had
five days in which to appeal this
classification, if / desired. At
tempting to comply with the five
day limitations, l presented the
appeal notice before my Board.
Through a newspaper report,
Friday, January 3, | learned hat
the Board decided that my object
ion did not come within the defin-
itions of conscientious objection to
war by reason if religious train
ing and beliefs and refused to al
low it. and further held that my
case cannot be considered 10y the
Draft Appeals Board.
Through a newspaper report,
Friday. January 3, l learned hat
the Board decided that my object
ion did not come within the defin-
itions of co~pscientious objection
to war by reasons of religious
training and beliefs, ard refused
to allow it, and further held hat
my case cannot be considered by
the Draft Appeals Board.
Il maintain that | have not pre-
cented any formal case upon
which the Board may possible ar
rive at a fair decision. As to the
procedure the Board has followed
it is arbitrary and contrary 10 the
provisions established by the Sell
ective Service Act and the instruc-
tons form 81 issued to draftees
1T the time of registration. The
informal memorandum | present
ed was merely to prepare the
Board for my formal and much
broader case of conscientious OBJ
lection on the grounds of religious
training and beliefs which incor-
porate certain social concepts and
| feel that the Board exceeded it's
authority when it refused to sup
ply me with form AT and to arbit-
rarily render its decision in the
absence of this form and without
a proper hearing"
The complete text of the I'm
formal statement outlining his
objections, which Galloway sent 20
the draft board January 1, follows
my objections of conscience to-
wards participation in the Select
i've Service Training Program ex-
tends beyond the pale of relig-
ious training and belief. and is
based upon certain Fundamental
social concepts which are unalter-
ably opposed to racial discrim,n-
alton, be it in the army or the
civilian life of the nation.
"As a Negro, Y have accepted
many of the responsibilities OF my
limited citizenship without benefit
of a number Of its blessings. To
me, the present United States Ar
my is the most anti-democratic m
stitution in American govern.n at
al life. It's colous disregard for
the elementary principles of fair
play with Negro citizens, reeks of
18th Century 'mercenarism' in
stead of an army, by, for and of
the people.
THE constant refusal of this
military branch Of our government
TO pursue a non-discriminatory
policy in its attitude towards all
the citizens is far out of portion
with the large measure of social,
economic and political progress
that has been made during the past
few years in America. For a
number of decades. the U. S. Army
has withstood characterization, es-
pecially in its relations to Negro
es, and there is no visible indie
alton of an immediate change in
this vicious racial status quo dss-
pite the fact that American democ
raey is preparing for its greatest
struggle against the forces OF ig-
noranee, prejudice and dictator
ship.
'The practice of RELOCATING spec
ial types of service to Negroes and
refusing their services in other
branches of the armed forces. is