The Draft: Thanks, but No Thanks

The draft may not be used to stifle dissent. So ruled the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit four weeks ago. But, added Judge Harold Medina, it is still a crime to evade the draft. And the Viet Nam war, in addition to provoking peacenik protesters, has also increased the number of plain draft dodgers. In 1964, 144 men were jailed on draft-dodging charges for an average of 21 months. Last year the number jumped to 266, and the average sentence was 26 months.

By executive order, President Johnson has now granted the draft dodgers a second chance....

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