Evening star., 1941-04-17
Senator Smith AssaiIs
PubIicity'Pe Persecution
In Sons Draft Case
Says E. D. Smith, Jr.,
Attempted to Become
Naval Aviation Cadet

Protesting perSecutlOn by 'Cnar-
acter aSsassins," Senator Smith,
Democrat, of South Carolina yes
terday denounced publicity given
the refusal of District Selective
Service Board No. to grant his
son, Ellison D. Smith. jr., class
z deferred draft rating.
"It is unprecedented for draft
board to lend itself to murderous
assault" he said. He declared that
two years ago his son, 26, attempted
to become a Navy aviation cadet,
but was turned down for lack OF
sufficient college credits.
Young Smith sought deferment
rs being necessary in his present
occupation-clerk to his fathers
Agriculture and Forestry Commit
tee. Twelve members of the COM
mittee, not including his father,
signed a letter in his behalf to the
draft board The board placed him
In class I'D, giving him deferment
only until the end of the school
wear. He is a night student OF law
INdllO1lol SAAANNASASS'
Senator's Statement.
Senator Smiths statement fol-
lows:
Certain character assassins are
20 anxious to smear the name OF
Senator E. D. Smith that they nave
taken an incident wholly justifiable
bv law and given it sinister turn,
which is misleading the public and
threatening my sons future.
"It will be perfectly evident when
the facts are known that these un-
principled individuals are perfectly
willing to damn the future OF my
son in order to cruelty me and gam
publicity for themselves.
This persecution is doubly un-
inst because on April %, 1899, Elll-
son Smith, jr, made application
for flight training as aviation caoet'
United States Naval Reserve. Prior
to his application he obtained a
solo pilots license at his own ex-
pense, hoping to better his chances
OF acceptance. A dental defect was
waived by the surgeon general but
he was finally rejected for lack OF
suficient college credits although L
nersonally interceded for him. These
facts can be verified at the Navy
Department. In addition to his
nilot,s license, Ellison has had three
years r. o. T. c. training.
Entered Law School.
sUnable to enter aviation, Ellison
entered National Law School ano
needs one more year to complete
the course. When the clerk OF my
committee resigned to take another
nosition in May, 1910, Ellison LEFT
law firm he was associated with
to fill the place, as he was the only
one available familiar with the rou-
tine of my office. He has proven a
conscientious and efficient commit
tee clerk, as evidenced by the testl-
mony of the committee, and an ex-
ceptional student of law, maintain"
ing q high average.
"Under the Selective Service Act
Ellison registered and on receiving
his QUESTIONABLE filled 1t Is &C.
cording to specifications, asking fol
deferment, not exemption, in ordel
10 complete his law course and con
tinue his clerkship to the Agr1cul'
trrre Committee, which in this emer'
Sency is necessary to national de-
tense. rs evidenced by the letter o
the Senators OF the committee.
Didn't Appear Before Board.
ct did not vote for the draft act
Z did not ask for my sons ex
emption. I did not appear befor'
the draft board. Published state
ments to the contrary are who'll,
false and sknown to be so by tn,
authors atgthe time of publication.
CThe Senator did not say to
what published statements" he
referred. The Stars reports con-
tanned no such assertions)
ITO me it is a disgraceful and In
human performance on the part o
the public officials involved tina
nv son, because he is my son, ha
not been accorded the consideration
shown the other young men Il
America. 1t is unprecedented for
draft board to lend itself to q mur
derous assault. OF all those askin,
for deferment, Ellison Smith, tr
alone has been pilloried-"