Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1943-07-31

rumor but one thing is certain-the
draft board had sudden change
of heart in my case when my time-
table was changed from June to
March without my Superintend-
ent's Or Principals knowledge
CARD NOT SIGNED
Searles wrote the board and later
received an unsigned card April
81, stating that "the board had
reviewed his classification and
that it was IA"
On May 81, Searles w-1.SUe Colonel
Cliff Hatcher, of the Georgia
Selective Service. A few days later
he came to Atlanta and, accom-
panied by Scott, went to Col
Hatcher's Office. After a brief talk,
Col. Hatcher expressed his opinion
of the unimportance of Searles
paper, but said he would review the
lies in the case The charge was
made to the official that the local
BOARD had become prejudicial to-
ward Searles because of publication
If the Hall lynching story. This
was quickly denied. Col. Hatcher's
lecision, made several days later,
confirmed the boards action.
On June IL. Searles and Scott
reported to the Negro Newspaper
Publishers meeting in Louisville
he facts in his case. The associa-
ion voted an investigation by the
executive committee in Washington
on July IT,
REPORTED JUNE 10
Searles reported to the Army
June 10. The Southwest Georgian
OF the same date carried his article
stating that he was not opposed to
service in the Army, but felt hts
board had shown prejudice to-
ward him. The June % issue of
the Atlanta Daily WORLD carried
an editorial, deploring the induc-
ton Of the Southwest Georgian
editor-pubiisher and pointing out
the threat to American press free
dom involved.
Then on June 26. Albany Local
Board Number One addressed
card to Editor Publisher of
Southwest Georgian" directing an
appearance before the beard on
June % and ordering copy of
the Southwest Georgian brought to
the headquarters. Typed on this
card of notification were the words
Bring This Subpoena With You"
The tipping was in red.
The man whom Searles had left
to carry on his paper answered
this subpoena" According to in
formation, a police officer went to
his place of employment and he
excitedly closed out its essential
work for the day to answer the red
typed subpoena" addressed to the
"Editor-Publisher of the Southwest
Georgian"
QUERY CAPITAL OFFICIALS
National Selective Service off,
Gals have been queried on the
matter of whether a local board
has the right to send police after
an editor and to subpoena him
apparently because it is displeased
over some newspaper article car
ried. This was pointed out as clear
intimidation of an editor.
The copy of the Southwest Geor-
gran requested carried an article
re-lterating the charge of prejudice
against the draft board and told
OF SearleS' appearance at the
Louisville press meeting.
Following his hearing before the
draft board, the editor left in
charge of Searles' paper, on the
promise of carrying on its vital
work, Immediately wired Private
Searles at Fort Benning that he
was severing connection with the
Southwest Georgian. The telegram
also stated that Your article and
was received very unfavorably bv
officials. Suggest you take imme-
dlate steps to try TO correct damage
done, for your own interest"
PAPER SUSPENDED
The pressure tactics of the AL
bany board, it was felt in Albany
were so plainly evident that those
lett in charge deemed it unwise to
issue the paper for two weeks. The
man left in charge of the paper is
n l. Il