Evening star., 1941-04-08
jackson Will Name
Officers 10 Pass on
War Objection Plea,
Prettymon Is Chosen
To Handle Reeistronts
Appeols in District

Machinery for taking care Of ap-
peals of those persons seeking defer
ment from selective service on the
grounds that they are conscientious
objectors was set up today by At
torney General jackson.
Mr.. jackson said that hearing off,
GERS would be named in each Fed
eral judicial circuit to handle these
cases, and announced the appoint
ment of E. Barrett Prettyman, for
mer corporation counsel and prom
inent member of the bar, to serve
in the District of Columbia.
THE hearing officer must satisfy
himself that the objections of the
registrant are based upon personal
religious or ethical conviction, and
not upon a political doctrine" the
Attorney General cautioned.
Concurrently with the announce
ment from the Justice Department
Senator Wheeler, Democrat, of Mon
tana, asserted that there appeared
to have been invasion and viola
tions" of civil liberties in several
cases growing out of selective service
Procedure Outlined.
Mr.. Jackson said that the pro-
cedure would be as follows:
Appeals boards have been re.
ouested to transmit all cases Of
conscientious objectors to the United
States attorney in their respective
districts. If it appears to the United
States attorney that the case is ont
in which the Justice Department ha!
jurisdiction, he will transmit tn,
entire file for inquiry to the neares
field Office of the Federal Bureau o.
Investigation in the district.
After the F. B. I. inquiry tn,
United States attorney will send th'
entire record to the hearing officer
If he is satisfied the investigation
is sufficient, he will fix the hearin,
date and place and notify the OBJ
jector, advising him of the instruc
tions to be followed in pressing tn,
appeal.
THE purpose of the hearing" Mr.
Jackson said, lis to obtain informa
ton that would aid in determining
the character and good faith of tn,
objections of the person who claim
exemption from combatant or non
combatant service"
Directors of Two Types.
Mr.. Jackson explained that tn,
| hoo ri,,o oficor rho,,Il baor -, ,,,;,,,
that conscientious objectors may b,
divided into two types-"those who's,
conscientious objections are baset
upon the tenets of a particular
church or religious organization ant
those whose conscientious obiec
tions are based upon their owl
scruples but who do not rely upor
adherence to particular religious
doctrine or membership in any
church, sect, or religious organiza.
ton as a basis thereof"
After this hearing, the hearing
officer may order a further examina
tion If he deems necessary. or cal
make recommendations for disposin.
of the case to the Justice Depart
ment
An effort is being made in select
ing officers to get "only men recog
nized in their communities for pa
| tience, tolerance and well-balancet
| Judgment" the Attorney Genera
said.
Senator Wheeler made his com
plaint in a letter to Attorney Gen
eral jackson.
Mr. Wheeler, who opposed enact
mem of the draft law, wrote Mr.
jackson that he had come to tn,
conclusion that you1 preoccupatior
with other important duties hal
allowed these apridgements Of civi
and legal liberties to escape YOU
attention"
New York Case Cited.
The Montana Senator cited tn,
case of New York selectee, whit
was forcibly carried to an Army
truck and taken to camp.
Senator Wheeler said he knew
nothing of the details of the cas-
except that it was reported that th'
man was q member of a religious
sect having conscientious scruple
against service In the Army.
1T may be that this specific cas-
does not fall under these provisions,
he wrote. But, to me, it is shock
ing to see news pictures which shoy
man crying while his captnRs, witt
broad grins on their faces, bodil,
carry him away. The wide dissem
ination OF pictures Of this incident /
not likely to build up respect TO
law and order and civil liberties II
our country"