THE EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY
OF THE UNITED STATES

Gatesville,
October 23, 1917.

Governor T. W. Bickett,
Raleigh, N.C.

Dear Sir:-

Mr. W. F. Marshall, Director of Enrollment, in a letter dated October 19th, quotes from you as follows:-

“Mr. D. E. Hollowell has four sons, three having volunteered and the fourth has been drafted…………………….I think the fourth boy ought to be allowed to stay home.”

We think that we owe it to ourselves to state that Mr. Hollowell’s fourth son made no claim for exemption stating that he had no one dependent on him and that as his brothers had gone he would be glad to enter the service also.

We want to do what is right, and wish to enquire on what ground we can exempt him. We have made it a rule not to take all the boys from one family but where one fails to make claim for discharge and says no one is dependent on him, what are we to do?

Awaiting your advice, I am
Yours truly,

Robert R Taylor
Chairman Local Board.