Casper Daily Tribune Newspaper, September 29, 1920, Page 7

COX TRIED TOESCAPE ORDER UPSET BY DRAFT, LPRICHBOYS | LOCAL BOARD GEN. CROWDER 2 WASHINGTON, D. C., Sept. 29.—The several, million American Legionnaires whose interests. are themselves in their great ‘being discussed and shaped by convention in‘session at Cleveland, Ohio, will learn with interest that following ithe publcation of editorials in the Dayton News, and the iar ad- delivery of dresses in sections in Ohio where the German population predomi- nated Gov. James M. Cox turned from those activities to the further afd of the country's enemies by assisting the cowardly sons of millionaires to-evade the dratt. _ Files ofthe war department which have just become accessible to the pub- lie reveal that Gov, James M. Cox of Ohio, played an important part in ob- taining exemption from: military sery- ice for James G, Seripps, son of Ed- ward W. Schivps. ‘publisher of the Cleveland Press, Toledo Bee and other newspapers. The case of James G, Scripps, as well ns that of Robert P. Scripps, » younger brother, attracted nation-wide attention during the; war, but the secrecy sur- rounding such matters at that time pre- vented the publMe from learning what influences were brought to bear to keep the two sons.of the muiti-millionaire publisher, Who now lives in California, out of army service, ; In the, draft ‘record of the Scripp: case is a letter written by Governor Cox, dated July 11, 1917, and- addressed to Earl E. Martin, of Cleveland, edi- torial director of the Scripps papers, in which Cox declares that the withdrawal ot James G. Scripps from active con- nection with the Scripps papers would “greatly impair’! their efficiency. This letter was sent on November 30, 1917, to J. J. Roree, adjutant general of California, in the effort of the Scripps attorneys to induce the draft board of San Diego county to certify an appeal.to the president after it had twice rejected young Scripps’ claim for exemption on industrial grounds. Reviewed by President Boree’s' actiyity in behalf of Scripps resulted finally in the draft board send- ing the case to Washington for review by the president. It is recalled Edward W. Scripps and several men influential in his organiza- tion came.to Washington, called on Sec- retary of War Baker and brought pres- sure to bear witha view to securing reversal of the local and district draft hoards in the cases of both the Scripps sons, All draft cases appealpd to the presi- dent were reviewed and decided by Pro- yost Marshal General Enoch H. Crow- der under direction of Secretary Baker. On May 10, 1918, the records show, the action of the local and district draft boards in California was set aside and'James G, Scripps released from all obligations of military service. Robert P. Seripps\ was similarly re- leased on appeal to the president after his local in Butler county, Ohio, and Ohio district board had ordered him into uniform at Camp Sherman. } It is regarded a significant circum: stance that the Ohio governor, who performed this service for the publisher of the Scripps papers, should now have their unanimous support: for president. At the time these things were going forward hundreds of thousands of ac: tive newspaper editors, managers, staff correspondents, reporters and other newspaper workers, of vastly more im- portance to ‘the publicity work of the war were volunteering, taking their place in the draft and patriotically marching to the front to serve their country. With the foreign censorship working at high tension and domestic news strained through official sources at Wasbington with a thousand govern- ment activities ready to pounce down upon the press for expressing the silght-| est criticism of the war or its official conduct, the press of the country needed little or no direction. Anyone ‘would have been competent to do such work as there was to do. The Seripps boys preferred however to place them- selves in the class with the’ Bergdolls of Philadelphia and Allisons of Chicago. Denied by Cox . In October, 1918, when the two Sctipps cases were attracting attention, reports were published in Ohio that Governor Cox had been influential in niding in keeping at least one of the sons out of the army. Cox was then’a candidate for re-electio On ‘October 30 he issued a formal denial. In the sue of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, ‘@ Democratic newspaper sup- porting Cox, he was quoted as saying: “I never spoke or wrote a word to the president, the secretary of war or} to any draft board asking the exemp-/| tion of Mr. Scripps, any one in his or- ganization or any one else. The gover- nor of @ state has not the slightest au- thority to exempt any man or to. pre- vent his exemption.” The files feveals this denial as an adroit evasion. So far as the record indi. cates, Cox did not speak nor write to the president, the secretary of War nor any draft board. It shows, how- ever, that he did write a strong and persuasive argument for young Seripps' exemption, which Earl E. Martin, edi- tor-In-chief of the Scripps papers, used to good effect with Adjutant General Borree in. California and. Secretary Baker in Washington. Rejected by. Board. In refusing to order the exemption of James G. Scripps, on the ground that his. services were necessary to the Scripps papers, the United Press asso- ciation, the Newspaper Enterprise as- sociation and other organizations con- troliead by BE. W. Scripps, the dratt board of San Diego county, youn Seripps lived with his father, went on record by a vote of four mem- bers to one as follows: 3 ‘ “We believe it would be unfair to young men who are making sacrifices for the defense of their country if both sons of a very wealthy father are given | deferred classification, when it is clearly possible that one of them could go without affecting the support of their families or impairing their family for- tunes. Acting on this suggestion, Milton A, MecRea of Detroit, 2 large stockholder in the Seripps concerns, telegraphed from San Diego to Adjutant General ‘Borree as follows: “In regard to Robert, we find among those who have been associated with him in the Scripps enterprises a con- census of opinion that he is not im- pératively needed, and in a time like this might, well be spared for the public service. ‘Therefore, if one or the other must go, it would appear that ‘it should be Robert, but if it should be insisted that he be ‘retained, then we feel that James ought to go.” This was obviously intended as a strong argument for the exemption of} James. As it turned \out, not only James was exempted, but Robert also, and neither of. the ‘multimillionaire publisher's sons donned a uniform, Text of ‘Cox's Letter The letter of Governor Cox as it ap- pears in the official records follows: : “July 11, 1917. “My Dear Mr. Martin: = “In making a survey of every agency within the state which can be utilized for the war service I.am very much concerned over the possibility of your letter inthe war department! where | MONDELL TO SPEAK HERE- | | “OCTOBER 16 The Republican state committee announces a monster Republican ally in this city on Saturday, Octo. | ber 16, upon which oceasion Hon.” Frank W. Mondell, majority leader of the house of representatives and Republican candidate for con- gress, will address the people upon campaign issues. The Natrona county Central com- mittee, assisted by the Woman's Harding club and the Young Men's Republican club, will have charge of the arrangements and already prep- arations aré going forward for n rousing reception and old time Re- publican love feast. staff and editorial force being disorgan- | lzed when the selective draft goes into} effect. “Whatever hag been accomplished by | Ohio up to this time has’ been) made | possible by. efficient and organized pub+ licity. As you know, the staff men that are assigned to the state departments, and particularly to the state house itself, cannot be broken in with ease or rapidity. Tho men devoted to this task now are unusually: efficient, be- cause they know what is going on and they understand the general policy of publicity. I earnestly hope that you will use your best endeavors to keep the force intact. “You probably know that we have designated a number of reporters as} secretaries of the war cabinet, and it| would be difficult to measure in words} the good service they are rendering. “Approaching the subject in a broad- north depended very largely upon the newspapers for information as to what avas going on. In the present day the newspapers are the recognized channel of communication between the govern- ment and the people. They form the greatest power for stimulating public sentiment and informing all the people could possibly exist. Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo only stated a well recognized fact when he said that the newspapers had made the Liberty loan a great, sifecess. very leader in the Red Cross campaign to raise one hun- | dred million dollars for the Red Cross has given the same testimony. “The Scripps newspaper have from ip Ctibune er view we are reminded that even dur-} ing the Civil war the people of the| why certain things are necessary that | very great public service in explaining | in simple language to the people the) j meaning of various proposed measures | of legislation and desired effect, “As governor of Ohio, I certainly desire the continued assistance of the Scripps newspapers, at their highest point of efficiency during the war, es pecially as a wir measure. “The spirit of a newspaper and the influence of a newspaper are the re- sult of the growth’ of years. The in- fluence of a newspaper, no matter how great and powerful, can be materially} Impaired in a day by the loss resron-* sible for its spirit. I remember read- ing the testimony of numerous news paper men that the death of a great) publisher tremendously diminished the} confidence of the people, thereby nar- rowing its influence. This was because his attitude on public questions was well known and the people trusted his good faith and honesty of intention, even when they doubted or disagreed with the expediency of the particular thing that newspaper was discussing. “As an iNnstration of the same point, take your concern. James G. Scripps has for ten years been the active head | His father’s health is too poor for him to take up their conduct, even if he were inclined to do so after ten years of retirement. ‘The withdrawal of 3ames G. Seripps from active connec tion with the concern would greatly im- | pair its efficiency as a public service. | | “Replying to your specific question, therefore, I would say that those con: | nected with a newspaper who are di-| rectly or indirectly responsible for its | policy or the soul which animates that | policy, should by all means be exempt-| ed from service in the army, because Remove _ quest. Write or ca VFIFIPCLLLLLLLLS the beginning of the war performed a Lower Prices in control of the Scripps newspapers. |~ their places could not )e easily if filled at all, “So far as’my influence goes, there- (fore, I will argue that exemptions be enforced as to those making up the skilled organization of a newspaper just the same as ah ammunition plant. This would, of course, not apply to the rank and file, but would apply to those whose continued presence was necessary to in- ‘sure that the newspaper would go for- ward in the future as it had in the past, animated by the same spirit of patriotism and sacrifice for the gov- ernment that characterizes newspapers 4n general today. “Yours very truly, “JAMES M. COX, “Governor.” AE ONS At ED The last census in Bengal revealed the remarkable fact that 1m that prov- ince there were four thousand baby d been ried. and of this Will fill a, | number 600, all less than a year ed Rheumatism were already widows. = | Of the higher Institutions of learn: jing in Canada Queen's university @ax |fly takes the lead in the number of fts | women graduates. Phone 644 | DR.NORWOOD | Dentist:-4 f Formerly Over Lyric Theater Now Located at 112 Eas | Second, Over White’s | ain Bind You Hand and Foot? ¥f you had Rheumatism last and treated only the pains o! the disease by rubbing with liniments and lotions, you can be sure that soon again you will be in the shack- les of this relentless foe. You may t some slight temporary relief ‘rom the pains of the disease by the use of these local remedies, but Rheumatism is too real and relent- less a disease to be rubbed away. So many cases of Rheumatism come from a tiny germ in a clear skin, smoothness of texture, contour and delic: The “Franco-American” Way The booklet “How to Look Your Best” will be sent you upon re- 1 at THE PATRICIAN SHOPPE In Connection with Mrs. Stuart’s Children’s Shop Main Floor O. S. Bldg. the [Swift Lahoratory, Atlanta, Ga. blood, that you should try a rem-— edy that has proven‘so thoroughly satisfactory in these cases. S.S.S.,— the fine old blood remedy cleanses ~ the blood of all impurities, and re-—- moves all disease germs that may’ creep into the blood. Begin 8.8.8. today, and if you will write a = complete history of your case, our=~ medical director will give: you ex-"— pert advice, without c! . dem dress Chief Medical Adviser, 1577< Look Younger Than Your Years Your face tells how young you really are the unattractive evidences of age and gain freshness, oan. 7x acy of coloring. Phone 767-R is the common theme of conversation when people talk of their personal’ and household needs these days. Many items of general consumption have shown no decline whatever but in every instance possible we are keeping pace with authentic prices throughout the country. — MAKE THURSDAY YO Fresh prepared Mustard, packed in nice 6-0z. glass cream pitchers and sugar bowls; regu- larly selling for 20c, Thrift Price, each..... 5c Regular 15c Hershey Cocoa or Golden Rod Washing Powder, ‘ Thrift Price. FOR 25¢€ Take advantage of our Thrift Thursday offerings for lower prices than usually prevail on seasonable merchandise UR REGULAR DOWN-TOWN DAY oe Hardware Department Two Quart: | Aluminum that we have regularly priced at $3.25 each, being specially offered for Thrift Thursday at- No exchanges on Thrift Thursday Specials. Men’s Furnishing Department MEN'S MUSLIN NIGHT SHIRTS We offer a regular stock item, in a good quality cloth, well-made, full-sized gar- ment, selling for $2.00 each- THRIFT PRICE $1.45 No Money Refunded on Thrift Thursday Specials Dry Goods Department Beautiful Georgette Crepe A nice line of popular shades in an all-silk 40-inch Crepe formerly sold at $3.50 per yard THRIFT PRICE $1.45 PER YARD 40-inch White Crepe de Chine. Fine for Underwear and Negligee THRIFT PRICE $1.75 PER YARD