LOCAL BOARD
for the
County of Lincoln
State of North Carolina
Lincolnton, N.C.

Lincolnton, N.C. Sept, 18th. 1917.

To the District Board of Western N.C.

Statesville, N.C.

Gentlemen;

To our very great surprise, we were confronted this morning, with a Copy of our Statement of reasons, to the District Board, rendered in the case of Franklin Iron Hull, Order No. 100, Serial No. 550.

Registrant Hull who presented this Copy states that he was allowed to inspect all Papers filed in his case, and by direction of the Chairman of the District Board, that the Secretary, Mr. Galloway furnished him with a Copy of our Statement of Reasons.

We have understood that these Statement of Reasons, were intended for the information and guidance of the District Board in their deliberations, solely, and not for the use and inspection of the Registrants, nor the Public; but that they are in fact confidential Government property.

The Local Board in making these Statements of Reasons did so upon due inquiry, and largely as a result of personal investigation and confidential information. It is apparent what a broad avenue of dissatisfaction and confusion would be opened up if these statements of reasons were sub,itted to the Registrants for thier inspection.

It has been our understanding that the District Board heard cases, only upon Affidavit, and did not grant personal audiences, nor divulge all their confidential information.

If the Local Board is to be confronted by every Registrant who is trying to evade service, armed with a copy of our Statement of Reasons in his case, furnished him by the District Board, and demanding a re-hearing of his case, and an explanation of our position, it is apparent that our time would be taken up with this alone, and great dis-satisfaction throughout the County would result, to say nothing of the embarrassing and unpleasant attitude in which we would be placed, as a result of the agitation of those who are not im sympathy with the Government in it’s attempt to raise a National Army.

There are Agitators all over the country who would want nothing better than an accumulation of these Statesment of the Local Boards, from which they might build false and damaging statements of the attitude of the Government in connection with the plan for selecting an Army.

If it is the policy of the District Board to divulge all information received by it, from the Local Boards, and to furnish Copies in inquiring Registrants, then the Local Boards have been laboring under a false impression, and they should be no longer left in doubt with reference to this matter, so we ask that you advise us difinitely in this regard.

Reverting to the specific case in question, the judgment of this Board is, that if any married man in Lincoln County should be selected for service, this Registrant is liable, and if he is discharged, it ill provoke just criticism, and great dis-satisfaction throughout the County, among the other Registrants.

Yours truly,

LOCAL BOARD for the County of Lincoln State of North Carolina Lincolnton, N.C. [stamped]

H. E. Reid
Chairman.

Enclosed in: 1917, Oct. 8. Reid to Bickett.