Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 54 Part 1.djvu/923

 54 STAT.] 76TiH CONG., 3D SESS.-CH. 720-SEPT. 16, 1940 (f) Any person who, during the year 1940, entered upon attendance for the academic year 1940-1941- (1) at any college or university which grants a degree in arts or science, to pursue a course of instruction satisfactory comple- tion of which is prescribed by such college or university as a prerequisite to either of such degrees; or (2) at any university described in paragraph (1), to pursue a course of instruction to the pursuit of which a degree in arts or science is prescribed by such university as a prerequisite; and who, while pursuing such course of instruction at such college or university, is selected for training and service under this Act prior to the end of such academic year, or prior to July 1, 1941, whichever occurs first, shall, upon his request, be deferred from induction into the land or naval forces for such training and service until the end of such academic year, but in no event later than July 1, 1941. (g) Nothing contained in this Act shall be construed to require any person to be subject to combatant training and service in the land or naval forces of the United States who, by reason of religious training and belief, is conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form. Any such person claiming such exemption from combatant training and service because of such conscientious objec- tions whose claim is sustained by the local board shall, if he is inducted into the land or naval forces under this Act, be assigned to noncombatant service as defined by the President, or shall if he is found to be conscientiously opposed to participation in such non- combatant service, in lieu of such induction, be assigned to work of national importance under civilian direction. Any such person claiming such exemption from combatant training and service because of such conscientious objections shall, if such claim is not sustained by the local board, be entitled to an appeal to the appropriate appeal board provided for in section 10 (a) (2). Upon the filing of such appeal with the appeal board, the appeal board shall forthwith refer the matter to the Department of Justice for inquiry and hearing by the Department or the proper agency thereof. After appropriate inquiry by such agency, a hearing shall be held by the Department of Justice with respect to the character and good faith of the objec- tions of the person concerned, and such person shall be notified of the time and place of such hearing. The Department shall, after such hearing, if the objections are found to be sustained, recommend to the appeal board (1) that if the objector is inducted into the land or naval forces under this Act, he shall be assigned to noncombatant service as defined by the President, or (2) that if the objector is found to be conscientiously opposed to participation in such non- combatant service, he shall in lieu of such induction be assigned to work of national importance under civilian direction. If after such hearing the Department finds that his objections are not sustained, it shall recommend to the appeal board that such objections be not sustained. The appeal board shall give consideration to but shall not be bound to follow the recommendation of the Department of Justice together with the record on appeal from the local board in making its decision. Each person whose claim for exemption from combatant training and service because of conscientious objections is sustained shall belisted by the local board on a register of conscien- tious objectors. (h) No exception from registration, or exemption or deferment from training and service, under this Act, shall continue after the cause therefor ceases to exist. SEC. 6. The President shall have authority to induct into the land and naval forces of the United States under this Act no greater number 889 Deferment of cer- tain college or univer- sity students. Conscientious objec- tors. Assignment. Appeal. Hearing. Recommendations. If objections sus- tained. If not sustained. Register ofconscien- tious objectors. No exception, etc., after cause therefor ceases. Number inducted restricted to appropri- ation therefor.

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