NORTH CAROLINA
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

RALEIGH

Oct. 2, 1917

His Excellency Governor Bickett,
City.

Dear Sir:-

While I agree with you that no one should be exempted who is selected in the draft for service except for sufficient reason, still I desire to call your attention to the following cases whose retention in the service of the State is necessary to continue the work in which they are engaged in an efficient manner.

Dr. E. McPhaul is assistant veterinarian and has charge of the manufacture of serum. He is a biologist as well as a veterinarian, and by moving him our service the Department would be prevented from furnishing the amount of serum which it is now being called upon for. Is he not a State officer?

Mr. A. T. Taylor is food inspector. The food chemist has had trouble in finding a man capable of doing this work properly and if Mr. Taylor is taken this work must cease until the can find someone capable of filling the position.

Mr. Earl Hostetler has for three years been engaged in the work of beef cattle, sheep and swine and has been of great benefit to our people in getting them sales for their cattle to procure good breeding stock wherever they desire.

I would not ask you to excuse any of the force who are merely laborers or employed in such work as others can be obtained to do, but have consented for such to be retained in the service.

Now, are these parties not officers of the State, and their services being so necessary to continue the good work which everyone admits the Department is now performing, will you not consent to request their release so that the Department can retain their services? If so, please write the parties having control of the matter.

With high regards,

Very truly yours,

W. A. Graham
Commissioner