Letters and speeches about General Enoch H. Crowder - July 5, 1918
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Provost Marshall General Crowder
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[page 2] to produce the military and to conserve the industrial man power, we shall be in a fair way to losing this war. I have long entertained the view that something ought to be done to recognize publicly and emphatically, the enormous sacrifice these citizens have made, in bestowing the continuous and exhaustive service that has been indispensible in carrying the administrative burden of the Selective Service system. The difficulty has been in devising suitable reward, natioonally wide in its application, and acceptable generally to those who have so participated. At the risk of being regarded as ungrateful to the proposers of this provision, I cannot bring myself to be satisfied that my own conscientiously performed share in discharging that duty should become the subject of recognition, so long as the far greater share of these other builders of the National Army remains without public and distinguished acknowledgement in the records of Congress. These men, my fellow workers, their toils, their sacrifices and their achievements, are next to my heart. On this subject I frankly confess to a deep sentiment- I hope it will not be reckoned as sentimentality- a sentiment which would not receive unalloyed satisfaction from the bestowal of any honor, however, generous, that is personal to myself only. In placing before you, at this time, these sincere convictions, I trust that I have adequately expressed the motive that prompted this letter. Cordially and gratefully yours, E.H. Crowder, Provost Marshall Gen. Remarks of Representative Borland of Missouri Mr. Borland. Mr. Speaker, I want to take this opportunity to pay my compliments to General Crowder for the dignified decision that he has made by this letter. When the selective service law was before the House I supported it earnestly. I regarded it as one of the greatest pieces of legislation that any nation had every undertaken. I regarded it as the most remarkable piece of legislation in preparation for a war that was every proposed or carried out by any country. The success of that legislation rested, not entirely, upon the wisdom of its construction but rested, of course, fundamentally and ultimately upon the wisdom of its enforcement and I think that we have been peculiarly fortunate, that the administration of that law, so nearly affecting the destiny of millions of American citizens and American homes, fell into the hands of a man who was big enough to handle that big proposition. We all admit that General Crowder
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[page 3] meed of praise for this work, which will crystalize into enduring fame. His contribution to the winning of this war has been substantial and will fix his place in the affections of the Nation as one of the great constructive figures of this national crisis. I should have been glad, on this floor of this House, to have voted for what I believe is a well-deserved honor to General Crowder, but I believe he has taken a big decision, in refusing to permit any appearance of such individual partiality on the part of Congress toward himself. I think, sometimes, we set an undue importance upon the mere question of rank but, as that great poet of my own race,
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[page 4] the Secretary of War has issued his mandate and keeps these officers at their desks. There is nothing for them to do but to submit as a good solider always does. So, I hope that this House will never take a narrow view of this question. I hop it will never assent to the doctrine that, because a man is detailed to one of the departments here in Washington, he must forever give up any chance for promotion at the hands of his Government, for duty well performed. (Applause).
Details
| Title | Letters and speeches about General Enoch H. Crowder - July 5, 1918 |
| Creator | Borland, William P.; Crowder, Enoch H.; Kahn, Julius |
| Source | Borland, William P., Enoch H. Crowder, Julius Kahn. Letters and speeches about General Enoch H. Crowder. 5 July 1918. Crowder, Enoch H. (1859-1932), Papers, 1884-1942. C1046. The State Historical Society of Missouri, Columbia, MO. |
| Description | Remarks from General Enoch H. Crowder, as well as speeches by Representatives William Borland of Missouri and Julius Kahn of California concerning Crowder's refusal of the promotion to Lieutenant General and the Selective Service Act. 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; United States. War Department; Promotions, Military |
| 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 5, 1918 |
| Language | English |