Apr. 24, 1918.

Governor T. W. Bickett,
c/o Prof. A. C. Reynolds,
Cullowhee, N.C.

Dear Governor:

Upon my return to town I find your letter of the 20th. I deeply regret that there has been friction with the Local Exemption Board for Pitt County.

Of course, I have no means of knowing why the percentages of the first class in Pitt County should be so much lower than the averages in other counties. I do know that the local board is composed of patriotic gentlemen, whom I should trust to use wise discretion in selecting men to be sent to the camps. Mr. Cox and Dr. Morrill are both men of sense and force, and I suppose have some joint responsibility with Captain Laughinghouse. 

I have heard that Captain Laughinghouse thought the District Board incompetent and impractical, and my attention has been called to men (large farmers) who were drafted and sent off, who, in my judgment, would have served the government’s interest in a much higher degree by remaining at home and raising crops. He seems to have tried to make this in reality what its name suggests, a selective draft, and I know his course has been actuated by what he considers to be the highest interests of the service.

The controversy between Mr. Wooten and Captain Laughinghouse is unfortunate, and I think Captain Laughinghouse’s letter unwise, and should not have been published. I am sure that the statement is untrue that Captain Laughinghouse has repeatedly and arbitrarily changed the classification of men.

I will take this matter up with Captain Laughinghouse at once, and I would like your permission to forward your letter to him, as I feel that justice to him dictates this course, besides, it would be necessary to send your letter to him to give him an understanding of the situation.

I hope you will enjoy your western trip.

With best wishes,

Sincerely,

[unsigned]

JBG/FB.