USA > Illinois > Hancock County > Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and history of Hancock County, Volume II > Part 62
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"Mrs. Alther further states that she has three brothers now in the service from the state of Missouri, M. M. Rossi, full name, Mallan Mon- roe Rossi, and Raymond Rossi, who enlisted from Missouri some months ago, and are now at Camp Mills, New York, and Walter Rossi of Clark County, Missouri, address, Alexandria, who has been selected for service through the selective draft, and was expecting to be sent to the camp during the week now closing. This is a good record for the family of Mrs. Alther, if the facts are as she states them, and her appearance is that of a truthful woman."
On Oct. 1st, we wrote the Adjutant General again, informing him that we had further in- vestigated the Alther case, and were satisfied that he had had his claim and affidavits made out in proper form and had undertaken to file the same with the board, but that, through mis- take somewhere, the papers did not come to our hands, or had been mislaid, and that, believing the case to be meritorious we respectfully re- quested the authority to reopen the case.
The Adjutant General gave the desired authority, and the case was reopened. The re- sult of the reopening appears in our letter of Oct. 6th to the Adjutant General, which is as follows :
"A showing having been made to us that this man, who has a wife and one child dependent upon him for support, had attempted to file his exemption papers within the time allowed for that purpose and that the case should be reopened, and an opportunity given him to present the claim and affidavits for exemption, we requested you for authority to reopen the case, and you granted that authority on Oct. 4th, under telegram No. 8185 of the Provost Marshal General. We have, therefore, per- mitted the papers to be filed, and, having found them to be in proper form and believing the same meritorious, we have allowed the claim for exemption. We are posting notices on Form 147 and mailing copy to the District Board as required in such cases, and we are sending you the certificate of discharge as the telegram No. 8185 directs, so that you may forward it to the commanding officer at the mobilization camp with proper request."
On Oct. 17th, we wrote the Adjutant General again, directing his attention to the case, and stating in conclusion : "As we understand tele- gram 8185, we send the certificate of discharge in such case to you, and you forward the same
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to the commanding officer of the camp, and we do not send or deliver the certificate of discharge to the party interested and to whom the same is addressed."
On Oct. 22d, because of information from Mrs. Alther that her husband had not been dis- charged, we wrote again to the Adjutant Gen- eral, rehearsing the history of the case, and on Nov. 7th we wrote another letter, moved there- to by the importunity of Mrs. Alther who had visited our office at least twice, and had made one trip to the camp, and on Nov. 7th was on her way to Springfield to see what could be done to obtain her husband's discharge. In our letter of Nov. 7th to the Adjutant General, after repeating the history of the case, we said :
"The above history of the case shows that Mr. Alther had been discharged by us in accord- ance with the rules and regulations. We have sent you the certificate of discharge to be sent to the commanding officer at Camp Dodge, to- gether with your request for discharge. Lest there may have been some miscarriage of the mail, we are entrusting to Mrs. Alther a certifi- cate of discharge to be delivered to you at Springfield. If she should be unable to effect a delivery of the certificate, she is to return the same to us. If you will forward this cer- tificate to the commanding officer of the camp, with your request for Mr. Alther's discharge, this case may be brought to an end and all parties relieved from further consideration of the matter. Our action in granting this certifi- cate of discharge and in sending the same to you has been taken under compiled rules of the Provost Marshal General as follows:
" 'If it should be determined that the discharge should have been granted, the Local Board will not deliver a copy of the discharge to the regis- trant but will send it to the Adjutant General of the state who will forward it to the com- manding officer at the mobilization camp with the request that the man be discharged from military service on the ground that he should have been discharged from the draft. There- upon the commanding officer at the mobilization camp will discharge the man from military service.' "
Mrs. Alther went to Springfield, and within a few days afterwards her husband was dis- charged by the commanding officer of the camp.
It is not intended by giving this illustration of the labors which devolved upon the Local Board, to criticise in any manner the Adjutant
General or those under him. On the contrary, the Local Board of Hancock County found the Adjutant General (and this includes all assist- ants) prompt, courteous and considerate in all dealings with the board. It is not to be wondered at that a slight delay should have occurred occasionally when the magnitude of the work, the multitude of details requiring attention, and the difficulties in construction of the rules and regulations and in applying them to particular cases, are taken into consideration. The method of reopening a case and discharg- ing a registrant on the ground of dependency after the registrant had been sent to the mobili- zation camp and accepted for service, was neces- sarily different from the method of discharge in the first instance and before the registrant had been sent to the mobilization camp. The construction of the rule in such case by this Local Board was undoubtedly correct, and was followed at last when the matter was fully brought to the attention of the Adjutant Gen- 'eral.
QUESTIONNAIRE AND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The rules and regulations as first adopted, were subject to change, and were afterwards changed and modified by supplementary and amendatory rules and regulations. Finally, under date of Nov. 8, 1917, a different plan or theory was adopted and new rules and regu- lations, superseding the old, were prepared and put into operation. The principal change was in the matter of classification. Every regis- trant was considered as belonging in Class 1 until his status, giving to him the right of de- ferred classification, should be clearly estab- lished under and in accordance with the prin- ciples and rules governing such classification. The term, deferred class, included the 2d, 3d, 4th and 5th of the five classes in which the registrants were to be placed. All regis- trants placed in these deferred classes were to be temporarily exempted or discharged. Those classified in Class 1 were presently liable to military service in the order determined by the drawing. Those placed in Class 2 were temporarily discharged, but were liable to be called for service when Class 1 was exhausted. When classes 1 and 2 were exhausted, Class 3 was subject to be called, and when that was also exhausted, Class 4 was subject to call. Class 5 included those who were absolutely, not temporarily, exempted.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
Under the new rules and regulations, adopt- ing the questionnaire system, the board was required to keep a classification list, which would show the status of every registrant as to classification, exemption, call to the service, and the disposition made of him at the camp, and the keeping of this list alone required much time and great care and attention. This list showed the name of every registrant, his se- rial and order numbers, and his color, in addi- tion to the matters above mentioned. This list was kept by the chief clerk.
The questionnaire itself consisted of a num- ber of questions, divided into twelve series, addressed to and to be answered under oath by the registrant, and designed for the pur- pose of ascertaining his status in relation to the various matters, things and circumstances constituting ground for exemption or deferred classification. It was provided that the ques- tionnaire should contain, as an integral part thereof, affidavits in support of claims for ex- emption or deferred classification in certain cases specified in the rules. It was required that the answers and affidavits be signed and sworn to in strict accordance with the regu- lations. On the first page of the questionnaire was printed a notification and instruction re- quiring the registrant to fill out and return the questionnaire in accordance wth the regu- lations. In this notice the name of the regis- trant and the date of the notice were inserted.
The mailing of the questionnaires to the regis- trants and the vast amount of work to be done afterwards, rendered additional help indispen- sable, and the government authorized the board to appoint a chief clerk on a salary during the questionnaire period and to retain the chief clerk until the termination of the duties of the board.
THE LOCAL BOARD CLERKS AND ASSISTANTS
During the fall of 1917 and the winter of 1917-18, gratuitous assistance in the prepara- tion of papers and in other work enjoined upon the Local Board, was rendered by many citi- zens of Carthage and other parts of the coun- ty as a matter of voluntary contribution to the service. This was especially true of the extra work imposed upon the board by the questionnaire system, as to the classification of registrants and the giving of notices and the calling of registrants for physical examina-
tion. No record has been kept of the names of those who thus assisted without compen- sation. It would be unadvisable to mention the names of some who participated in ren- dering this service, where it is practically cer- tain that the names of others entitled to equal credit would be overlooked. Hence, the enum- eration of these voluntary assistants is not here attempted.
After the questionnaires had been sent out, it became manifest that other assistance would be required than that of the chief clerk, and that desultory or interrupted service would not an- swer the purpose. To have one set of per- sons one day and another another, no mat- ter how great their competency, would not be nearly so effective as to have the same per- sons engaged in the work from day to day until their tasks should be completed. The board would have had to organize a school of in- struction and to use an hour or more of time every day to explain the work required to the new helpers, if occasional voluntary - services should have been relied upon, and the govern- Illent wisely authorized the employment of com- petent regular assistants.
When the classification and questionnaire system was adopted to become effective on Dec. 15, 1917, the Local Board was authorized to appoint a chief clerk at a stated salary to render assistance made necessary by this addi- tional burden.
In the early part of December Earl N. Bell of Carthage was appointed chief clerk. He took the oath of office on Dec. 10, 1917, and acted as chief clerk until the termination of the labors of the Local Board. Prior to his appointment as chief clerk Mr. Bell had given about five months of his time exclusively to the Local Board work, for part of which serv- ices he received no compensation from the Gov- ernment. As chief clerk, Mr. Bell proved him- self to be competent and efficient in all the work of the board, but was of especial assis- tance in the preparation of the mobilization papers, the preparation of which required much time and great accuracy, and in keeping the classification list and other records of the board.
As times passed, the work multiplied, and the government authorized the appointment of ad- ditional assistants.
During the early part of the year 1918, Miss Julia Tate Noyes had rendered much gratuitous service for the Local Board, and, in view of her
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
acquaintance with the work and recognized competency, the Local Board made arrange- ments with her to act as one of the govern- ment employees from time to time as her serv- ices should be required. Accordingly, under appointment, she worked for the Local Board during the month of June, 1918, and there- after intermittently as assistance became neces- sary until in the fall of 1918 when her em- ployment became permanent and she continued in this work until January, 1919. She ren- dered further service in March, 1919, at the end of which month the labors of the Local Board were terminated and the members were discharged from service. Miss Noyes became thorough acquainted with the work of the Local Board, and was able to render, and did ren- der, service of the highest order, greatly assist- ing in the complex work of the selective service system.
Other assistants who served for a more lim- ited time were Miss Hazel Myers of Warsaw and Miss Emily C. Pennock of Carthage. This was under appointment and for the compen- sation allowed for that purpose. Miss Pen- nock had, theretofore, from time to time, ren- dered gratuitous assistance to the Local Board.
The Board was fortunate in securing the serv- ices of Miss Pennock and Miss Myers, both on account of their competency, and of their in- terest in the work and willingness to serve.
THE LEGAL ADVISORY BOARD
But the Provost Marshal General had anti- cipated the vast amount of work involved in the questionnaire system, and so had provided for the establishment of Legal Advisory Boards in such numbers and within such districts as to be convenient to every registrant who was to appear before a Local or District Board, so that every registrant might apply to the Legal Advisory Board for all necessary advice and assistance in preparing claims, questionnaires, or any other papers required by the regulations to be submitted by a registrant. It was pro- vided that every Legal Advisory Board should consist of three representative lawyers as per- manent members, who should be held respon- sible that there should always be a competent force of lawyers or laymen available to the registrants at any time during which the Local or District Boards within such district should be open for business. It was provided that the
Governor should nominate one of the perma- nent members as the chairman of the board, but the appointment was made by the President.
It was further provided that the Governor should call upon all members of the bar within the state, and, if necessary, upon competent laymen, to offer their services to such Legal Advisory Boards for the purpose of being pres- ent at the headquarters of the Local Boards and rendering aid and advice to registrants, which persons were to be known as associate members, and as to whom no formal appoint- ment by the President should be necessary.
The members of the Legal Advisory Board, including associate members, were required to take a prescribed oath, and had power to ad- minister oaths in any of the matters in which oaths were required under the selective service rules and regulations.
The three members of the Legal Advisory Board appointed by the President, on the nomi- nation of the Governor, were merely to form a nucleus to direct the work of all the lawyers and laymen of the community who should be called upon to group themselves about the per- manent board for this purpose. .
As permanent members of the Legal Advisory Board of Hancock County, the President ap- pointed Hon. Apollos W. O'Harra, Samuel Nay- lor and Lee Siebenborn, all of Carthage, with Mr. O'Harra as chairman.
This board took up the work promptly, by appointing associate members in many parts of the county so as to suit the convenience of regis- trants, such associate members . being the lawyers of the county and one or more persons from every bank and such other laymen as were willing and able to render this service.
It was provided that the Legal Advisory Board, "consisting of disinterested lawyers, with associate members, consisting of capable lawyers and laymen," should be present at all times during which the Local Board was open for the transaction of business, whether at the headquarters of the Local Board or at some other convenient place or places.
Before the appointment of the Legal Advis- ory Board the headquarters of the Local Board had been moved from the courthouse to Mr. Scofield's law-office. It was not convenient for the Legal Advisory Board to hold its sessions at this law-office, and so rooms were arranged for at the courthouse, where the sessions of the Legal Advisory Board were held, being
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about 300 feet from the headquarters of the Local Board. This was a convenient arrange- ment for all persons interested.
In view of some misunderstanding as to the functions of the Legal Advisory Board, Tele- gram A-637 was sent out on Dec. 11, 1917, wherein it was ruled that the Legal Advisory Board had no authority to advise the Local or District Board concerning interpretation, con- struction or application of the selective service law or the regulations issued thereunder; but that the primary duties of the Legal Advisory Board were to advise and aid registrants in making proper and truthful answers to ques- tions and securing such supporting affidavits as might be required in particular classes of cases, and in filling out and executing question- naires. For advice and interpretation of the rules and regulations, the Local Board was required to apply to the Adjutant General. However, this telegram was not intended to prevent the Legal Advisory Board from assist- ing the Local Board in every possible manner.
A telegram dated Dec. 14, 1917, required any member of the Legal Advisory Board, whether a permanent or associate member, to enter upon the left-hand margin of the front page of the questionnaire of the registrant to whom he had given advice or assistance the following, "Aid given by me," and sign his name, followed by the words, "permanent member," or "associate member," as the case might be.
Under the rules the services of members of Medical Advisory Boards and of members of Legal Advisory Boards, and of the Government Appeal Agents, were to be rendered without compensation.
It is with much pleasure that the Local Board of Hancock County bears testimony to the faith- fulness and efficiency of the permanent and associate members of the Hancock County Legal Advisory Board, as well as to that of the Medi- cal Advisory Board of our district and of the Government Appeal Agent of this county, in the discharge of their duties under the selective service rules and regulations.
MAILING QUESTIONNAIRES
The chief clerk began mailing questionnaires on Dec. 15, 1917, the date fixed upon for that purpose by the Provost Marshal General, and sent out 100 questionnaires daily, Sundays ex- cepted, beginning with the lowest order num-
ber and continuing regularly to the highest. There were 2,240 registrants at the beginning, which number was increased by 19 others who registered from time to time and belonged to the first registration. Twenty-three days were required to complete the mailing of the question- naires.
In the meantime the questionnaires were be- ing returned, some of them imperfectly filled out or signed. Where registrants acted un- der the instruction of the Legal Advisory Board, or its associate members, their questionnaires were ordinarily in proper form when returned the Local Board. But some registrants undertook to fill out the questionnaires them- selves, or acted upon mistaken or improper advice, and in such cases it was necessary for the Local Board to notify the registrant to appear and correct his questionnaire, or for the Board to return the questionnaire to some capable person in the vicinity where the regis- trant resided and notify the registrant to ap- pear before such person and make the correc- tions indicated.
CLASSIFICATION AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
As questionnaires were returned the Local Board examined them and classified the regis- trants and sent out the classification cards. The classification was indicated on the ques- tionnaire, but particularly on the cover sheet, which enclosed the questionnaire, upon which the classification of the registrant and the ac- tion of the Local Board or of the District Board in all matters pertaining to such registrant were indicated under proper headings. Every ruling and action was entered also on the clas- sification list or record.
As the work of classification proceeded, the Local Board was required to begin the physical examination of those registrants who were placed in Class 1. Notices were sent out ac- cordingly and physical examinations were made as rapidly as consistent with the other duties devolving upon the Local Board. In certain cases the registrant was sent to Quincy for further examination before the Medical Ad- visory Board, which had appellate jurisdiction, and to which the Local Board, in case of doubt, could send the registrant for further exami- nation. Re-classification was necessary as to those found wholly unfit for military service. Where any were found unfit for general mili-
Louise & Howard.
John F. Howard
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY
tary service, but qualified for limited service, the fact was indicated on the classification list, and such persons were sent to the service only when a call was made for some special work for which they were physically qualified.
GOVERNMENT APPEAL AGENT
Not only was an appeal allowed to the Dis- trict Board from a classification made by the Local Board, but the Government took care of its interests by appointing a Government Appeal Agent to take an appeal from any de- ferred classification which it was deemed proper to have reviewed by the District Board, and to take an appeal in behalf of an ignorant regis- trant who would not have sufficient under- standing to protect himself, or to take an ap- peal when it should have been taken, and to investigate and report upon matters submitted for investigation and report by the Local or the District Board.
In this county the States Attorney, Mr. Earl W. Wood, was appointed Government Appeal Agent and discharged his duties ably and im- partially as to all persons interested.
Delays in final classification arose in cases where claims were made for exemption on agri- cultural or industrial grounds, of which claims the District Board at Springfield had exclusive cognizance. While the District Board desired the Local Board to advise as to such exemptions, and a paragraph for recommendation by the Local Board as to such exemptions was con- tained in the questionnaire, yet all this was merely for the purpose of assisting the Dis- trict Board in reaching its conclusion, and the sole jurisdiction on this subject remained all the time with the District Board.
And so the Local Board might pass upon claims for exemption on the ground of depend- ency or other ground cognizable by the Local Board and classify the registrant accordingly, and then, upon sending the questionnaire to the District Board for its decision upon the claim for exemption on agricultural or indus- trial grounds, be required, by the action of the District Board, to change the classification and place the registrant in a deferred class. Such would be the case also where the action of the Local Board would be reversed by the District Board, which, in fact, very rarely occurred. There were appeals in certain cases to the President, resulting in further delay. While
these appeals were pending the registrants whose cases were involved were not subject to call for service.
Another reason for taking men off of the call-list arose during the spring of 1918. Not many farmers had been exempted or given de- ferred classification on the ground that they were farmers.
TEMPORARILY TAKING FARMERS OFF OF THE CALL- LIST
But it became necessary in the spring of 1918 to stimulate the farming population to unusual and excessive industry, in order that food might be provided, not only for our home population, but for the large army we were sending abroad, and to assist in feeding the armies and populations of our allies. It was, therefore, deemed important that those assidu- ously and continuously engaged in the plant- ing and cultivation of crops should be passed over in the sending of men to the service in response to calls during the spring and early summer of 1918. And so the Local Board was instructed by the Provost Marshal General to omit from such calls until further notice those registrants in Class 1 who were thus assiduously engaged in farming.
This Local Board adopted a rule requiring the affidavit of the registrant to be presented, showing that he was assiduously engaged in farming, such affidavit to be supported by the affidavits of reputable neighbors, and that this showing should be renewed from time to time, so as to avoid imposition through a temporary engagement on the farm for the purpose of avoiding service. Many farmer registrants presented such affidavits, and their names were temporarily withheld in making up the lists of registrants to be sent to the camps. It was impossible for the board to determine in all instances whether or not these showings were made in good faith. Where complaints were made, or suspicious circumstances were brought to the attention of the board, investigations fol- lowed, and the affidavits were allowed to stand, or were disregarded, according to the facts of the case.
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