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WAR DEPARTMENT
OFFICIAL BUSINESS

Local Board for the
County of Cabarrus, State
of North Carolina,
Concord, N.C. [stamped]

May 16, 1918.

Hon. T. W. Bickett,
Governor of North Carolina,
Raleigh, N.C.

My dear Governor:-

I am writing you in reference to the work of the Local Board for the County of Cabarrus, and I feel that you are in close touch with the work of this Board and appreciate the work that this Board has done.

We have done our work fearlessly and without regard to person or color and will continue to do that kind of work as long as the personel of this Board remains as it is. We have a number of men in this County who have used every means possible to try to get out of Service; but, they have not succeeded. They are now attempting another channel to get out of Service. We have absolutely disregarded politics or pressure from any source or any man regardless of what his profession is; there is one thing that has got to stop or I stop.

You are advised that there are certain parties who have been to Washington, D.C. to Senators Simmons and Overman, also Congressman Doughton, to use their influence with this Board to get men out of the First Class and allow them to be left at home. Senator Simmons has written letters here in reference to certain parties asking that the matter be brought before our Board where it will receive the proper consideration. I was informed this morning confidently of some letters that are being written to Senators Simmons, Overman, and Congressman Doughton to try to get a clerk in a dry-goods store out of service and also on the ground of dependents. This man has no claim on either ground, because, by his own statements he simply pays board, and his industry is not a necessary one to the Government. I trust that you will bring this matter to the attention of these Gentlemen and if they will not cease their attention in this respect, I shall insist that I cease my work by your accepting my resignation as a member of the Local Board. 

I am simply disgusted and my patience is exhausted in the efforts that some of these slackers are putting forth to get out of service, and if our Senators and Congressmen cannot rely upon the work we are doing here I trust that you will accept my resignation and allow me to pursue my personal business. As you know, these letters have no effect upon the Local Board; but when they reach the District Board, God help us.

With best wishes, I am,

Very truly yours,

G. A. Carver

G. A. C./K.

Copy sent to Major John D. Langston.
Special Aide to the Governor, Raleigh, N.C.