Telegram to all Federal Food Administrators from Herbert Hoover - September 19, 1918

Transcript

Out going telegram United States Food Administration From States Administration Division 6-H-4 Washington, D.C. Charge to Food Administration September 19, 1918. To All Federal Food Administrators And Zone Agents. With regard to the selective draft wish to repeat that the attitude of the Government is that every man who is essential to the efficient conduct of your Administration should be retained in the organization and that it will be easier from a working point of view if such men as you select would claim deferred classification by reason of their connection with the Food Administration. These claims must be supported by affidavit which you should obtain from local board and sign and forward for my approval. As affidavits must be returned to local boards you must arrange for extension of time for filing questionnaire and affidavit in case of every essential man. These affidavits will be practically final with the exemption boards and if not recognized by them the whole of their action will be reviewed from Washington. Registrants may claim deferred classification as above and by reason of dependent family or other ground at same time. If any of the men whom you designate have conscientious objections to making this claim for deferred classification on their won account they may omit to make any such claim and you can make claim for them sending affidavit for our approval and obtaining extension of time as above. All of the men who are deferred in order that they may continue in the Food Administration including those claiming deferred classification at your suggestion and those receiving it through our intervention will receive from us on the authority of the President a statement that they have been directed by the Government to continue in the Food Administration. We wish you to interpret the definition of essential men for whom deferred classification is provided with sufficient liberality to maintain the efficiency of the Food Administration but where men can be replaced without in any way damaging the efficiency of the organization deferred classification should not be claimed. Give no publicity regarding this matter. If you are yourself in the draft age advise at once stating your age, and number and address of local board having jurisdiction as I intend to secure exemption for you under direction of the President that you are performing the maximum service in your present position. Herbert Hoover