Smyrna times., 1950-12-21
SELECTIVE
SERVICE TALK
Radio Address by ID. w. Troll,
State Director, Selective
F.. Service System
WEEKLY REPORT

"A IeN weeks ago III OhC VI my
weekly reports to the people OF
Delaware, I discussed the part that
the local board plays in making
the Selective Service System a
Notwithstanding unit. In this
talk told of the method by which
a local board member is appointed;
the various walks of life from
which the members come; and !
also outlined a few of the details
of their job as a member of local
board.
Perhaps now you know a little
bit more about the local board and
its functions than you did before,
but there are still many other
facts concerning the local board
and its members which are vital
but which did not have time to
point out in my earlier talk. So
tonight, I'll devote more time to
the men behind the scenes and give
you a better insight of the local
board members job.
In setting up the local boards,
the task of dividing the state into
local board areas falls to the State
Director of Selective Service. I'm
der normal conditions each local
board area should have a popula-
ton not exceeding 100000. 1t is a
requirement that there must be at
least one local board in each coun-
ty, but for economical reasons, if
the case warrants it, an intercoun-
ty board can be established. In
each local board area, local board
of three or more members is ap-
pointed by the President upon re-
commendation by the Governor.
If one local board area encompass
es other counties, each of these
counties must be represented on
the board by a member for that
county. 1t is also mandatory that
each board member Live in the
county he represents. It is also de-
sirable, but not mandatory, that a
member be resident of that area
over which the local board has
jurisdiction. A member Of the local
board cannot be a member Of the
Rrmed forces or any reserve unit.
The jurisdiction Of each local
board extends to all persons regis
tered in, or subject to registration
In, the area for which it was ap-
pointed. This board has full auth
ority to do and perform all acts
within it's Jurisdiction as author
ized by the Selective Service law,
The latter statement I wish to
emphasize because it embodies one
of the important facts pertaining
to Selective Service and that fact
is this-the great power of Selec-
tive Service rests in the local
boards! They are the chief mech
anism which gives Life to Selec-
tive Service. The final disposition
of most cases rests with the loca
board. The State Director can re-
quest that a case be reviewed, OF
an appeal from a decision can bt
made by the state Director.
In the majority of the cases re
viewed by the local boards theil
final decision is the law. There are
many people who are not aware o.
this fact. Innumerable times peo
pie come to the State Director t.
discuss their case or to discuss
case in behalf of friend. AS Stat,
Director, L can recommend tina
the board review a case because
think they might have overlooked
a point, but if I find that all th'
facts have been taken into consid
Grafton when a board decision i
reached, l will take no voice in tn
matter. Another thing people fai
to realize is that the board func
tions as whole, not on an indiv
idual basis. There have been man.
cases of people going to see indiv
idual members of local boards. Of
ten the members refuse to discus
a case, and in other instances the,
do not even know of the case be