Appeal Ashe Co. Appeal [handwritten at top]

October 31, 1917.

Mr. J. B. Colvard,
Jefferson, N.C.

My dear Sir:-

Your letter received, and I enclose herewith copy of a letter I am today writing to all local exemption boards.

The Adjutant General of the State would have been guilty of a gross violation of the rules and regulations of the War department if it had disclosed to you the name of any person giving him information which called for an investigation of the claims for exemptions filed by any registrant. These matters are military secrets and must be so treated by all officers. Of course where an investigation is made it sometimes becomes necessary to advise minor officials of the name of informants, but this is the exception and not the rule.

You may be assured that whatever the Adjutant General said to any one who came to see him he would say to every one. He informs me that as a matter of fact the letter to which you refer never came to his personal attention, but was handled by the clerks of the office in accordance with the settled rules governing much matters. The Adjutant General, the Department here and at Washington knows no man, black or white, rich or poor, but treats every human being in precisely the same way.

With much respect, I am,

[unsigned]