Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 288, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 December 1917 — Failure To Answer Questionnaire Places Conscript In Class 1 [ARTICLE]

Failure To Answer Questionnaire Places Conscript In Class 1

There will a sad awakening for all registrants who fail to receive questionnaires because of their negligence in leaving a forwarding address, according to the chairman of the conscription boards. That ai large number of men will automatically be placed in class, through their own negligence, is evident from the large number of questionnaires being returned unanswered to the draft boards throughout the country. Section 129 of the selective draft service regulations reads: “Any registrant, except an alien enemy, who fails to return the questionnaire on the date required (which is seven days after the questionnaire is mailed) shall be deemed to have waived all rights for filing claims and proof for deferred classification, and shall stand classified in class 1, subject, however, to provisions made in Section 99.” The fact that a registrant is now in the military service or naval service of the United States does not excuse him for filling out his questionnaire, says the chairmen of the conscription boards. All parents, relatives and friends of the registrant should see that the questionnaire is mailed to the registrant, and that he returns the questionnaire filled out as soon as possible. Registrants desiring to claim exemption on agricultural grounds should read page 13 of the questionnaire and comply with the rules in paragraphs 1 and 2, before reporting to the legal advisory boards without the proper persons necessary to swearto the affidavits mentioned. Members of the advisory boards predict rush of registrants which will over tax the advisors unless the registrants report immediately after receiving the questionnaires for advice. A great deal of confusion, and a possible punishment be averted if the request is complied with. It is also imperative that all registrants claiming exemption on the ground of dependents bring these dependents with them, provided they are more than sixteen years old. Members of the advisory boards say the registrants should read the questionnaire over thoroughly and then place themselves in the hands of the legal advisors, and answer all questions directly. On any registrant, who has been married since May 18, last, rests the burden of proof that he did not marry to evade the draft, and all registrants should bring such proof with them when reporting to the legal advisors. Registrants should not fill out their questionnaires in pencil, as they must be filled out in ink.