Department of Justice
Bureau of Investigation
Wilmington, N.C.

April 15, 1918.

A. B. Bielaski, Esquire,
Chief, Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir:-

I had conference with Major John D. Langston, Special Aid to the Governor, and he informed me that 10 registrants of Pitt County were placed in a deferred class by the Local Board of Pitt County, but when the questionaire reached the District Board, the action of the Local Board was reversed, and the questionaires returned. After they reached the Local Board, the Chairman again placed them in a deferred class, and falsefied his records by showing the registrants to be in the class given them by the District Board. Major Langston said that the matter was before the Governor, and did not know whether the Governor was going to take action or not. By referring to my reports of August 25, September 28, and January 4, you will note that the Chairman of this Board has been making exemptions that were illegal, and that I recommended his removal. I was later informed by Major Langston that they had received from the Provost Marshal, a letter recommending to the Governor that Laughinghouse be removed. The Governor did not do this, but appointed another Government Appeal Agent. The reason that the Governor will not remove Laughinghouse is for the fact that the Secretary of State of North Carolina is a son-in-law of Laughinhouse, another reason is purely political. I am frank to say that I find the Governor playing politics with the members of the boards. Several times he has written the Local Board in behalf of an individual registrant, and in one or two cases the Board has classified men in classes which they have been frank to say did not belong in a deferred class. These cases I have investigated and put the facts before the District Board, and they have placed them in their correct class, with the exception of one case which is now pending, and that is the case of A. A. Zollercoffer, serial 378, order 607. His case will be decided between the 16th and the 20th of this month, and I feel confident that the Board will place him in Class one.

I am enclosing you a copy of my letter to Major Langston this letter is a result of our conference, and as per agreement arranged with Major Langston.

Very truly yours,

Dorsey E. Phillips
Agent in Charge.
[illegible]

DEP/MP

Enclosure: 1918, April 15. Phillips to Langston
Enclosed in: 1918, May 1. Easby-Smith to Adj. Gen of N. C.