Letter to Enoch Crowder from Guy E. Campbell - July 23, 1917

Transcript

Guy E. Campbell 32d Dist. Pennsylvania House of Representative U.S. Washington, D.C. July 23, 1917. Provost Marshal General Enoch H. Crowder, Department of War, Washington, D.C. My dear General Crowder: I wish to congratulate you on the eminent success on the drawing of our selective army. As I understand it, to you is due the credit for the working out of the plan under which the drawing took place. I came to the 65th Congress as a new member, unfamiliar with army affairs. I might say that when the conscription plan was first suggested it did not appeal to me because of the traditions of our country concerning the volunteer system, but the more I studied it the better I thought of it, and I supported the measure throughout. Then, too, the selective draft plan was recommended by men of our Army, you, as I understand it, being practically the author of the measure. Now I wish to say to you that I feel you are to be highly commended, for I consider the system a masterpiece of work and I do not have the slightest doubt as to its complete success. I also feel that the people of my District are in hearty accord with the new system. You are trained and educated for just such work as this and, with the situation analyzed, I believe that all who would see our country at its best will agree that the only plan to follow is the one suggested by those in a position to know how best the situation can be met. I think you have met it in such a way that it will redound the everlasting credit and glory of this country, and that you, as a faithful and patriotic official of the War Department, will receive a full measure of credit and reward. Very sincerely, Guy E. Campbell. Rec