Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 164, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 July 1917 — Draftees Must Take Questions to Local Board. [ARTICLE]

Draftees Must Take Questions to Local Board.

Washington, July 27.—A deluge of personal inquiries concerning future steps in the army draft and of pleas from industrial concerns for exemption Of their expert workers drew from the .provost marshal's office today a statement that questions must be addressed to local boards and that claims for industrial exemption must go later to the district boards. No general class of workmen will be exempted. Provost Marshal General Crowder told the coal production committee, which sought information whether miners would be left at their work. Appeals to the provost marshal’s office from employers on behalf of their workmen can accomplish nothing, it was explained, as regulations promulgated by President Wilson govern all exemptions. ‘ ‘The question of whether a man is more useful to his country in a peaceful pursuit than in military service, is a matter to be taken up with the district board,” said the announcement, “and for that board to determine in the light of the circumstances surrounding each individual case. “Procedure in case of claim for discharge on the ground of industry or agriculture is explicitly outlined in the regulations. Only the upper or district board has jurisdiction over an industrial or agricultural claim for discharge. Before a man has a standing before the district board he must first be certified to by the local or lower board as physically qualified for service and must have had any discharge claim made before the lower board decided adversely to him. “He has five days after he is certified to the upper board in which to file claim for. discharge and five days more in which to file proof. All claims for exemption on industrial or agricultural grounds are decided originally by the lower or local board.” Most individual queries to the provost marshal came from men who are absent from their place =of registration and who have been summoned for examination. Such a man should apply in writing ot the local board in the district where he is registered, and request an order directing him to appear for physical examination and possibly exemption or discharge claim, before the board of the district in which he is now living.