March 21, 1918.

Mr. Geo. S. Powell,
Chairman Local Exemption Board No. 2,
Asheville, N.C.

My dear Sir:-

Referring to yours of the 18th In Re Robert Brown, colored, I beg to say that if the parties interested will submit a petition from the Judge and the Solicitor, the members of the jury and the county officials in regard to the merits of this case I will take it under consideration. I cannot discharge a man from the chain gang simply for the reason that he is willing to join the army.

Sincerely yours,

[unsigned]

B_G