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In re exemption of married men

Gov. T. W. Bickett
Raleigh, N.C.

Dear Sir:

I was very much impressed with your letter, which I read a few days ago in, the News and Observer, to the Exemption Agents in all the districts. I am sure from the letter, you mean for each board to do justice in every individual case. Even though a man has been married only a short while, unless he married for the purpose of getting out of the war. It seemes that some of the boards do not yet understand. My husband1 has been placed in Class One. He is my only support. He does not have an income to support me if he is drafted. We have married since the eighteenth of May. However, we did not marry with the intention of keeping out of the war. Our marriage was planned before the Registration on June the fifth, 1917. Owing to other personal causes we had to wait until after the draft law came into effect. There have been several such cases of men placed in class one in our district at Smithfield, Johnston County. It seemes our board does not understand. In such a case I believe you mean to count a man married even if he has married since May, the eighteenth.

Please keep this letter personal. I do not want any one to know I have written you in regard to the matter.

Sincerely: