Letter to General Enoch H. Crowder - July 29, 1918
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Lawrence [Massachusetts] July 29-1918. Provost Marshal Gen Crowder Dear Sir:- Perhaps I have no right to speak to you about this matter and I realize I have nothing to say really about making laws concerning the Army. But did you ever stop and think of the poor aged Mothers that are giving up their boys while next door are young married couples enjoying life to the fullest extent. That poor Mother had to save and
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many times do with out the necessarys of life to bring her boys to the age of manhood. Now when she is old and slow and broken down in health do you think it just right to take all her boys There are in Class II right here in Lawrence men working every day demanding large salaries. Their wife also works in most cases-and the Mills are paying well now. They go to the Picture, Beaches and enjoy life while it really
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[page 3] seems to me they could serve their County as well as young men in Class I. These Mothers that I refer too some of them have had to go to work really it seems some laws are unjust. One young wife says I won
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if they could. Now do you think it is a just law that allows these men and their lazy wifes to stay at home while the poor old Mother gives her three or four sons. One of these men delights in saying Let the kids twenty one go and fight it out. Another thing that does not seem just fair. The draftees on June 1917 were given a chance to Enlist in the Navy or Marines Even now I see the Baseball players are given a month or more to work or fight.
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but the June 5 1918 registerants are going to be denied this privilage and cast directly into the Army. Many boys were asked to go to work in Navy Yards and Government Ship Yards to aid in War Work and Ship building. Nor after trying to help their Government are given no choice of Army or Navy. leave their work and go to directly to the Army. Now do you think you are giving these boys a fair, square deal. I and many others
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think Not. Are you going to call the men on the Emergency Fleet from the 1917 draft before you call these boys. They have been spared from the Army a whole year and dont you feel they should go before these June 5 1918 boys? I feel that men who are Ship Building and doing Government Work and are skilled are doing more for their Country than your Class II men and should be left at their work.
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There are men who were examined last August 1917 and were thrown out for special work. They work every day and apparently are stronger than the majority of men. They are still at large while these poor 1918 boys are going to be rushed over-seas. I realize you have a great deal to do but please give this matter your attention and you will greatly ablige many Lawrence people who are dissatisfied.
Details
| Title | Letter to General Enoch H. Crowder - July 29, 1918 |
| Creator | Unknown |
| Source | Unknown. Letter to General Enoch H. Crowder. 29 July 1918. Crowder, Enoch H. (1859-1932), Papers, 1884-1942. C1046. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
| Description | Letter to General Enoch H. Crowder from an aged mother who believed that men in Class II should be drafted just as Class I. This document is part of a collection compiled by Enoch Herbert Crowder, the Edinburg, Grundy County, Missouri native who served as Judge Advocate General. Crowder devised the Selective Service Act in 1917 which drafted America's forces during World War I. |
| Subject LCSH | Crowder, E. H. (Enoch Herbert), 1859-1932; Draft; Draft--Law and legislation |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Selective Service Act of 1917; Selective Draft Act |
| Site Accession Number | C1046 |
| Contributing Institution | The State Historical Society of Missouri |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the State Historical Society of Missouri: 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri, 65201-7298. (573) 882-7083. |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. |
| Date Original | July 29, 1918 |
| Language | English |