WAR DEPARTMENT
OFFICIAL BUSINESS

[LOCAL BOARD STAMP]

August 9, 1918

Mr. Dorsey E. Phillips
Agent in Charge Department Justice
Wilmington, North Carolina

Dear Sir:

Yours of the 7th inst. received an noted. I am very sorry that this matter has taken the course it has. I did not construe the Governor’s letter as being an order for a specific case, but as laying down principles upon some of the facts only a part of which he had, and wrote the Military Aide of the Governor for more explicit instructions of governing deferment in order that not only this case, but other cases of equal merit should have the same privilege.

The Governor’s letter has not embarrassed this board in its administration; on the other hand his advice and encouragement has been very beneficial, and the writer of this letter would regret very much being involved in any investigation of the Governor’s actions in regard to this matter.

I regret very much to state that I cannot comply with your request because of the fact that the letters have not been returned. I did not retain copy of my letter to Major Langston. I can reproduce from my stenographer’s notes, however, a substantial copy if it is proper and right that this be turned over to your department.

Hoping that this will end the matter, I am

Very truly yours

[unsigned]

IBT:JDL