• • PATHS OF CONSCIENCE VARY Busy draft boards over the nation are learning about • This is Americans who are unable in clear conscience to par­ IN THE ARMY several thousand young ticipate in the war. These men are as anxious as the Americans, who refuse to kill, serve their the Story conscientious soldier to end totalitarianism and strive fellow soldiers as non-combatants. By Presi­ for a free world. Yet they are inwardly compelled to dential Executive Order, they are excused reject the way of violence, believing that a worthy goal cannot be achieved from the use of ~eapons, even though they by unchristian means. Perhaps the registrant strictly obeys the Command~ serve on the battlefields. Since January 25, ment, "Thou Shalt Not Kill;" perhaps he is convinced that a Christian's duty 1943, all conscientious objectors in the Army is to overcome evil only by good; or perhaps he cannot reconcile the have been assigned to the Medical Corps. slaughter of war with the New Testament doctrine of brotherly love. What­ One such American objector has been cited ever the basis, the sincere religious objector is willing to die, but not to kill for bravery on Guadalcanal, another in his fellowmen. North Africa.

. A NEW IDEA, THIS? IN PRISON are several hundred pacifists who oppose all military . Some There is nothing new in this refusal to part1c1pate m war. Christians would not refused to register, or serve in Civilian Pub­ bear arms for the first two centuries. Soldiers of the Roman Legion were not admitted Official Signal Corps Photo lic Service camps. Also in prison are many to the church. Franciscans, , and Brethren have long refused to objectors who would willingly render civilian fight in armies. American conscientious objectors were known during both the service, but were denied the necessary IV-E American Revolution and the Civil War. classification and felt compelled to refuse The American draft law of 1917 recognized as objectors only members of churches induction into military service. Latest re­ holding pacifist tenets, and required that even they render non-combatant military ports from:the .Department of Justice (July service. Before the war ended, however, President Wilson had recognized the con­ 1, 1943) disclosed that 2,071 C.O.s have science of others holding "personal scruples" against war, and objectors were fur­ been convicted under the draft. About one­ loughed from the Army for relief service in France and for local farm work. half of these were Jehovah's Witnesses. During World War I, there were an esti­ mated 500 convictions of objectors in civil • , • THEY ARE RECOGNIZED BY LAW courts and 503 military court-martials. Our Selective Service Act of 1940 clearly recognizes conscience as an individual matter; no longer is membership in any church required. Congress set only two IN CIVILIAN PUBLIC SERVICE are conditions: (a) the registrant must be opposed to "participation in war in any form;" 7,000 men who cannot conscientiously per­ Courtesy of Bnreau of PrisonI (b) his scruples must come from "religious training and belief." Men who object fprm any military service. They labor with­ only to combatant se_rvice serve in the Army Medical Corps ( classified l-A-0) ; those out pay on essential civilian tasks-draining who object to all military service are permitted to do alternative "work of national swamps, building dams, fighting forest fires, importance under civilian direction" ( classified IV-E). The Act still falls short tending patients in mental hospitals, serving of the British act which grants complete exemption, subject to approval by the Min­ as "guinea pigs" in medical research, con­ istry of Labor, to pacifists who are opposed to all conscripted service. structing rural sanitation facilities, produc­ ing food and milk. Of these men, nearly two-thirds come from the "historic peace ... CAREFUL SCRUTINY PRECEDES THEIR CLASSIFICATION churches" - Brethren, Mennonites and It is not easy to be classified as a . A man must make his Friends. One-half of the entire group is claim on a detailed questionnaire. If his local draft board believes him sincere, it farm trained; one-third received college classifies him either I-A-0 or IV-E. If the Board denies him the classification he training. Though as yet no CPS men have requests, he can appeal. The F.B.I. then investigates. The C.O. appears before a been allowed to serve abroad, many stand Hearing Officer of the Department of Justice, who makes a recommendation to the ready to go at once to areas of human need Board of Appeal. The Board's decision is final unless a Presidential appeal is per­ and danger in any part of the world. Cottrtesy of U. S. Forest Service mitted by Selective Service.

I I CIVILIAN PUBLIC SERVICE ACROSS THE NATION IN BASE CAMPS ... . IN SPECIAL SERVICES The protection and conservation of natural resources- forests, farmland and wild­ Through public health work, food production, scientific research, individual and life--have been designated as "work of national importance" for men classified community social rehabilitation-human conservation- has also been designated IV-E and assigned to Civilian Public Service. Across the country CPS camps have as "work of national importance" for CPS men. These essential civilian services been set up in areas where the need for natural conservation is great and the servic­ are critically understaffed as a result of the war. Qualified men who have served ing personnel has been drastically reduced by war needs. More than 4200 rnen are a three to six months' apprenticeship in base camps become eligible for this work. engaged jn this work in 37 different CPS units located, for the most part, in former At present 37% of CPS- 2500 men-is engaged in Special Services; in 194i this CCC camps. There is an average of 120 men in each unit. Thirty-six of the camps will be increased to 50% . There are 120 Special Service Units, averaging 20 men are administered by religious agencies and one by the Government directly through each, administered by religious agencies and two that are directly under Selective Selective Service. The work project of each unit is supervised by one of these Service. Aside from "administrative service," the work project of each individual and cooperating government agencies: unit is supervised by a local, state ~r federal agency:

U. S. FOREST SERVICE FISH AND WILD-LIFE SERVICE HOSPITALS TRAINING SCHOOLS 13 Camps .1400 men 2 Joint Camps ...... 100 men 39 Units . .1300 men 9 Unit s .. 150 men Gathering data on animals, birds and fish to Re-training social delinquents and mental de­ Forest protection through prevention and Ministering to mentally ill in state hospitals determine best use of wildlife in farm, forest fici ents in state schools. suppression of fires and disease; timber pro­ and stream production. and serving as orderlies and technicians in duction by reforestation and timber stand im­ general hospitals. provement; maintenance of grazing, recrea­ PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE tion and wi ldlife areas; technical research. 1 Joint Camp . . .. 50 men DAIRIES AND DAIRY TESTERS 9 Units ...... 120 men Completing a $2,000,000 landscaping and road 37 Units. . .. . 600 men Combating di sease and deplorable living con­ protection project for the Harrisburg to Pitts­ Working as dairymen and herd testers to in­ ditions through sanitation, medical service, bmgh super-highway. health education and community organization. SOIL CONSERVATION SERVICE crease and improve milk output. 12 Camps. . ... 1250 men Preservation of soil resources through irriga­ AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENTS tion, swamp drainage, construction of diver­ 6 Units ...... 100 men sion ditches ; improvement of farm land to Exper iment.al farming at state universities to more productive use. increase ancl improve crops and to develop • new farm products . • MEDICAL RESEARCH 6 Camps .. . . . 600 men 11 Units ...... 75 men Serving as "guinea pigs" for experiments in Development of recreation areas, roads and • di et, nutrition and disease control- typhus, shelters ; forest fire-fighting; maintenance of cancer, pneumonia, etc. National Parks and wildlife refuges. • • ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION • • 8 Units ...... 75 men .450 men • Administrative and research work for church, 3 Camps. • welfare and government agencies. Reclaiming submarginal or unused cultivat­ • able lands, developing irrigation systems and I PARACHUTE FIRE-FIGHTERS soil resources. 1 Unit ...... 65 men "Smoke jumpers" trained by the Forest Serv­ ice to parachute from planes and attack fires FARM SECURITY ADMINISTRATION -l~~-v- in Wes tern timberlands . 2 Camps...... 300 men • Converting unused land into producing farm U. S. WEATHER BUREAU areas, complete with buildings. 1 Unit ...... 20 men ' Gathering, checking, compiling and reporting data for the Weather Bureau. GENERAL LAND OFFICE • = LOCATION OF 1 Camp . .... 150 men CPS UNITS COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY Mapping of lands for blister rust control, 1 Unit ...... 15 men surveying di sputed areas, planting trees, forest Setting up and maintaining markers for chart­ fire-fighting. ing, mapping and surveying. , ARE C.0.'s SUPPORTED BY THEIR CHURCHES?

The major denominations officially recognize the moral basis of those who oppose participation in war on grounds of conscience, and support thei:i right to exemption from military service.

Methodist General Conference-1940 "We ask and claim exemption from all forms of military preparations or service for all conscientious objectors who may be members of the Methodist Church. Those of our members, who, as conscientious objectors, seek exemp­ tion from . .. military service ... have the authority Food research and Pitblic Health Service H Guinea pigs" for medical experiments and support of their church."

Min.isteri11g to the mentally ill SERVICE IN THE C.P.S. UNITS Northern Baptist Convention-1940 "We lay upon the conscience of our people the respon­ IN COMMON WITH THEIR FRIENDS IN THE ARMED SERVICES CPS MEN REPRESENT sibility to maintain our bond of fellowship in Christ Length of Service? Throughout the war and for six additional months. MANY RELIGIONS despite differences of opinion, and to give moral support and protection to those who follow the voice of con­ Work.fog Schedule? Like the Army, the work schedule for Civilian Public Service ••• from Non-Pacifist Churches: science either in personal participation or refusal to is also rigorous. Men work at least 51 hours a week, are accorded free time Sunday, Presbyterians 138 participate in war." and receive furloughs totaling 30 days each year. In emergencies-forest fires, tor­ nadoes, etc.-they work longer hours. Congregational-Christians 156 B~ti~ Ll7 Presbyterian (USA) Assembly-1942 IN CONTRAST TO THE SOLDIERS Assemblies of God .. 14 "We reaffirm past deliverances of General Assembly on Pay? Civilian Public Service men are not paid. In church administered camps they re­ Catholics 98 the equal standing within the fellowship and support of ceive $2.50 a month from the religious agencies as pin money. In government camps, pin Church of Christ 100 the Church of those who for conscience sake either object money varies from $2.50 to $7.50 per month. On Special Service Projects, CPS men 62 to, or part1c1pate in war. We urge the. continuance of receive maintenance, medical care and $10 to $15 a month for clothing and incidentals. Episcopalians the government's recognition of the right of conscientious 30 Uniform? None; each worker supplies his own clothes. Jewish objection and its extension into all aspects of participa­ Disciples of Christ 44 tion in the war effort." DeJ?endency Allotments? None are provided by the government for the wives and Evangelicals 37 dependents of men in Civilian Public Service. Dependency needs of men in CPS and in prison, however, are being met by the Historic with a program Evangelical and Reformed. 64 CHURCH AGENCIES ADMINISTER C.P.S. of social service and financial assistance. The Mennonites and Brethren administer Lutherans 66 At the request of Selective Service, committees repre­ their program jointly through the National Service Board for Religious Objectors. The Jehovah's Witnesses 195 senting the "Historic Peace Churches" (Mennonites, Friends Service Committee and other administrative agencies operate separate programs. Penecostals 17 Brethren and Friends) administer most Civilian Public Service camps and units. They appoint the directors, Methodists 537 provide educational and religious leadership, and are Snit conservation throu.oh eros1'.on control C.P.S. dairyman aud herd tester Unitarians 27 responsible for the men at all times except "on the 101 Other Denominations. . 160 project." without church The Association of Catholic Conscientious Objectors ad­ ministers a hospital unit and a state training school. 421 affiliations The Commission on World Peace of the Methodist Church fro~ Historic Peace is ~esponsible for a hospital unit. The government operates camps directly. Churches: 2560 Mennonites CHURCHES BEAR MAJOR COST •• Brethren 771 This nation-wide service, costing almost $2,000,000 an­ 496 Friends (Quakers) ...... nually, is financed almost entirely by voluntary contribu­ 60 tions. The government provides only the basic camp Molokans 23 equipment, project supervisors and maintenance for those men in the 2 camps which it administers directly. Total August 31, 1943 . 6213 Men in C.P.S. and their families pay part of the ex­ pense, but no one is barred from service because he cannot pay. The bulk of the money must be raised from This pamphlet is a revision of the peace churches and other churches and individuals the brochure originally pubfished who believe that the preservation of religious liberty and by Allan H. Barr of the Northern freedom of conscience is essential for the spiritual well­ California Service Board. being of our country even in wartime.

12-43-lSM ""...... , .

SUPPORT FOR THOSE WHO SERVE WITHOUT WEAPONS

Church Couunittees extend moral e n­ Regional Councils for conscientious ob­ co uragement to their own w ar objectors j ectors provide : legal counsel, prison vis­ and secure fonds for their exp en ses in its, e mploy m ent service, aid to d e p endents, Civilian Public Service. C.P .S . fund-rai sing. Presbyterian Committee for C.O.'s Massachusetts Board for C.O.'s George Buttrick, chairman Henry Perry 21 E. 79th St., New York City 31 Milk St., Boston, Mass. Congregational- Christian Con1. for C.O.'s Metropolitan Board for C.O.'s Albert Palmer, chairman Abraham Kaufman. secretary 5757 University Ave., Chicago, Ill. 2 Stone St., New York City American Unitarian A ssociation State Board for Religious Objectors Frederick M. Eliot, president Norman Whitney, chairman 25 Beacon St., Boston, Mass. 302 Wilson Bldg., Syracuse, N. Y. American Baptist Honie Mission Society Philadelphia Council for C.O.'s John W. Thomas, secretary James Bristol, executive secretary 212 - 5th Ave., New York City 1924 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, P a. Disciples of Ch1·ist; Social Ed. Dept. Detroit Com1cil for C.O.'s James A . Crain. executive secretary Carl Soule, chairman 222 Downey Ave., Indianapolis, Ind. 4845 Norger St., Dearborn, Mich. Episcopal Pacifist Fellowship Cleveland Council for C.O.'s Mrs. Henry Hill Pierce, secretary Robert Grady, chairman 9 E. 94th St., New York City 1431 Addison Rd., Cleveland, Ohio Method'st Commission on World Peace Chicago Advisory Committee for C.O.'s Char!es F . Boss, Jr., executive secretary Albert Buckner Coe 740 Rush St., Chicago, Ill. First Cong. Church, Oak Park, Ill. Association of Catholic C.O .'s Northern California Service Board ,! ohn Thorn ton, secretary Allen Barr, secretary 115 Mott St., New York City 2151 Vine St., Berkeley, Calif. Evan!l'elical and Reformed Church Service Board for Religious Objectors Com. on Social Action, Elmer Arndt Orval Etter, chairman 475 Lockwood St., Webster Groves, Mo. 1420 East 20th St., Eugene, Ore. · Evangelical Board of Social Action Los Angeles County Committee for C.O.'s · Raymond Veh Ray Kinney, executive secretary . · - ,,, an, Ren~ s