Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1917 — DRAFT LAW UPHELD BY COURT [ARTICLE]

DRAFT LAW UPHELD BY COURT

Men Who Opposed Conscription Arrested in Kansas City. JUDGE RULES ACT IS VALID —————— "A Tells Petitioners to Register—Declares Omgress Can L’se Public Officiate to Further War Laws. Washington, June I.—ln a joint 1 statement Chairmen Willcox of the Republican national committee anti McCormick. of ’ the Democratic called on party workers throughout the country to aid draft registration. Kansas City. Mo., June 1. —Judge I>aniel Bird in the circuit court here denied an injunction to prevent state officials from enforcing the draft registration next Tuesday. Judge Bird held that the draft law was valid and that his court had nd jurisdiction to prevent its being carried ouf. From the bench he recommended that Thomas Sullivan and Raymond L Moore, the petitioners, both of whom are eligible for registration, seek out the first enlistment place without attempting to evade the registration law. Leaders of Anti-Draft Plan Arrested. Shortly after the decision was announced, Moore , the acknowledged leader of the anti-draft movement, Thomas Sullivan and two;, other men who declared their intention to defy the registration law, were placed under arrest. They wen- charged with conspiracy. Warrants were.issued for nine men and one woman. Will Try to Obtain Appeal. J. D. Showalter, attorney for the petitioners. announced immediately after the decision was rendered that he would go to Jefferson City at once for the double purpose of endeavoring to obtain an appeal hearing before the supreme court and of instituting mandamus proceedings against the governor and other state officials. These, he hoped, if granted, would prevent the enforcement of the registration law throughout Missouri. Judge Bird, in his decision. referred to the selective draft army law as the “most equitable and efficient” this country Ims ever had. Found No Law as Good. He said he had studied all the similar laws since the formation of the republic and that none was Comparable to the new law. L.IIC also ruled that in times of war state, county and city officials could be used by congress to further any war measures. The petition had sought to Invoke the thirteenth and fourteenth amend-m'-nts of the federal constitution and also certain provisions of the Missouri constitution. Judge Bird ruled against all the jaunts brought up.